Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

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  5TH MAX THE BEST - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By hiredhand1978 - January 7 - 12:46 am

  Worked out flaws from my 2004. Torque steering gone, turning radius much much better. Ride has been smoothed out without lose of handling. The 2nd week I had the car I drove from Ma.to N.C. Every day driving was awesome. Power is all you could want or need, gas mileage for the trip was 27 MPG which translates to 4 MPG more than my 04. Both my 04 & 07 are equipped with the Elite Pkg. the only option I dont have is the Sat. Radio. In my opinion Toyota Camry has nothing over my Maxima. I test drive the Camry before I test the Maxima & I all ways end up with the Max.

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  Well-equipped, good looking sedan - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Mary - January 6 - 5:48 pm

  Nice riding car. We get 40 mpg on the highway. If we go between 55-65 we have even gotten 43mpg. Very comfortable seats, front and back. Our Altima SL is well equipped with moonroof, Bluetooth, back up camera. Our car doesnt have navigation, but has a big app package called Nissan Connect. It also has a huge trunk.

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  Excellent Value & Quality - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Michael - January 6 - 4:10 pm

  This truck is awesome. I love it, great value and quality is excellent. The ride is very soild, great room on the interior, and the Bose radio is best in class.

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  We Liked It So Much ... - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By shiloduffey - January 6 - 7:53 am

  ... we bought another one ten days later. We read about CVT drone, but find it inconsequential. This is by far the smoothest riding and most comfortable small SUV (we drove em all). The engine/transmission provides seamless acceleration and more than adequate power. We have both the SL 2WD Premium and Leather Packages, and still came in at about $22k. Living in TX, we didnt see the need for AWD. The value is outstanding, fit and finish are flawless, and the styling is that of a mini-Murano. I was so impressed with my wifes purchase, I bought one myself. Were still checking mileage, but it appears to be right at EPA estimates. May not be ideal for larger families, but it works for us.

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  Very fun to drive - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Chad - January 6 - 3:16 am

  What a great vehicle! It is extremely comfortable to drive with many customized adjustments to make the driving experience even better. The Bose sound system is top notch. There are so many features (for not a bad price) that I am still finding some of them. The CVT transmission takes some getting used to and can feel a little sluggish on cold mornings. Many auto touch features as well (headlights, cliamte, sunroof). Just a very fun vehicle to drive. Very solid construction, especially with the SEs sports suspension. Highly recommend it!

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  Biased Z review by enthusiast - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Landbarger - January 4 - 10:33 pm

  I love it. Its a GREAT car, mixing the drivability and fun of American muscle and the weight and handling of more hardcore sports cars. Finding a line somewhere between the portly Mustang GT and the more-purist Honda S2000, the 350Z is a classic example of excellent lines, medium displacement (3.5L V6=more torque than typical pocket rockets) and acceptable (3200lb) curb weight. No one who drives the Z will be disappointed with the performance so long as they keep in mind the price and goal market. Particularly, the 350Z beats everything in close competition (3L+ V6), the new Eclipse (less hp, less mpg), the Crossfire (less hp, worse handling), and the R32 (looks, probably mpg, too).

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  my first adventure with nissan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By 4dr 2.5sl sedan - January 4 - 8:50 pm

  I have very much enjoyed my experience with my altima. It is very quiet, handles like a dream, gets super gas mileages even at a high cruising speeds doesnt rattle even after 48000 miles aned the paint finish seems to be super after rain snow salt and freezing weather. This car has never let me down , after many long trips to florida and back,and i have maintained full confidence in its performance during my ownership of this vehicle. I only have had one complaint.. I have owned many chryslers in the past, that have given me tremendous servive and always have had a great display of mileage, miles to empty, etc. I wrote to nissan to tell them they should have a compass, no response.

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  I love it! - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Medic1 - January 4 - 7:36 pm

  I just bought this vehicle and I LOVE it! It has 175k and it still runs strong! There are some problems, nothing you wouldnt expect with a car this old with that many miles but for the price Id say I got a pretty good deal. Lots of power and so much fun to drive. It has brand new firestone tires-cant shift into 2 hi 4 hi or 4 low due to the transfer case leaking and some other leak- so I havent really had a chance to test the 4WD, but its still an amazing car and it starts every morning!

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  Owned for 3 years - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By mountainlifer - January 3 - 3:12 pm

  Im not someone who bought this truck a month ago and is about to gush about its reliability (whats with those reviewers anyway?) Purchased this truck 3.5 years ago, have put 50k KM mountain town driving on it. Only issue Ive run in to is warping brake rotors, easily solved with HD brakes. The paint is nothing to phone home about, but definitely not sub par. Hauls a sled like its not even there and shreds the highway between Whis and Van as fast as youd ever want to. Expected a lot, and it has exceeded my expectations. Design/Layout are my favorite as well. 66" box is awesome, but cab is still very spacious and overall truck is very nimble. America still makes a great truck.

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  As much Fun as the Porsche Cayene - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By dinidenman - January 2 - 12:53 pm

  I love my car, I was looking at the Porsche cayene and then spotted the Murano, I love the style and the interior also it is pretty darned responsive. I bought the Murano and have not been disappointed! Not to mention it was about half the price of the Porsche!