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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  so far, so good - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By jasmine - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE HAD THE ARMADA FOR ONLY 1 WEEK, BUT I WANTED TO WRITE A REVIEW WHILE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. WE DID NOT GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BUY AN ARMADA, WE WERE GOING TO CHECK OUT THE PATHFINDER. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD DRIVEN ONE BEFORE AND LIKED IT. WELL, MY HUSBAND IS ABOUT 62" WITH LONG LEGS AND THE PATHFINDER WAS NOT A GOOD FIT. THE SALESPERSON SUGGESTED WE TEST THE ARMADA. WE FELL IN LOVE, I WENT HOME, DID SOME RESEARCH ON-LINE. WE WENT BACK AND BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND GAVE IT TO ME TO DRIVE THIS FIRST WEEK. I WORK ABOUT 20 MILE FROM MY HOME, I AM AN AVON LADY ALSO, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE RUNNING AROUND I DO, ALL I CAN SAY IS "SO FAR, SO GOOD" I LOVE IT.

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  VERY GOOD CAR FOR THE MONEY - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Row - December 15 - 10:00 am

  my wife and i brought the 2004 model used we both like the car very much but the only problem is the back seat i would like to see more room in the back seat .But overall we really like thecar for the price and looks for a compact car in it class .we could not afford the honda accord not at this time but we are please

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  Its a blast and ego booster - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By jlim - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Great design with matching performance and quality. Owned over 25 autos/trucks, from Ford to Lexus, and the 350Z is the most bang for the buck. The Z is a true sports car and before purchase, test drove the G35 coupe, Corvette, RX8, and Boxster. The Z shines and is well worth a serious look.

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  Pros are Wrong, Drivetrain is Strong - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By kevin - December 15 - 5:30 am

  I find the power and the CVT to be very adequate. On the freeway at even 80 mph the pickup is outstanding for such a vehicle. The handling is precise and the road feel is excellent. I see no downsides to this vehicle. I get almost 23 mpg at 80 on the freeway, and about 20 around town.

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  Should have kept my Sienna - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By emharn5 - December 13 - 8:53 am

  I was ready to be done with minivans with the kids off to college. Traded sienna for the 2009 Murano with 30K miles. Base AWD model, very clean. Same common complaint about cheap plastic inside with A LOT of rattles and squeaking whenever you hit small ruts and bumps in the road. Ride is firm but plenty of power. very smooth shifting and I am averaging 23.5 mpg. Big loss of cargo meant I had to rent uhaul to carry 50 in TV. blind spots take getting use to. Seats very comfortable. Murano wanders easily on highway so can be tiring. took getting use to. My wife doesnt like driving the Murano saying it is an effort to be smooth with the gas pedal and keep it from wandering out of lane

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  Original, Best 4 Door Sports Car - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By ILTHOMPSON - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It out performs any other car in the class. Ive driven "suped" up Camrys, Acuras, and others and I like my car best.

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  Its ok. - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By ADOBO - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I was very excited to get the new Crew Cab design knowing the Nissan reputation. This one, unfortunately, proved me wrong. After I bought this vehicle, the "Nissan reputation" I relied on went down the drain. The vehicle had gone to the shop 8 times the first month after I purchased it. To top this off, the Nissan Corporation gave me the run-around. I was on the verge of filing under the Illinois Lemon Law. This may be the last Nissan Ill buy.

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  Awesome SUV - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Everclear - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Xterra for a week now. I love it so far. Really fun to drive.

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  2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x4 - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By markandleigh - December 11 - 3:50 am

  Coming from a 98 Explorer, I cant believe the difference in ride quality. The Explorer beats you to death while driving. On the other hand the Pathfinder is as smooth as any CAR out there. The engine is powerful and smooth and the transmission shifts very smoothly. It also holds its value much better than the domestics.

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  At 32K Miles-Poorly Made Car - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By Kay - December 10 - 10:53 pm

  This is my 2nd Nissan (first Maxima) and my last!!!!! There is a constant rumbling vibration felt through the gas pedal and steering wheel between 20-45 mph. I have taken my car to over 6 different dealers and they couldnt fix it or really find the problem, so the service rep came and said "this is normal for this transmission"!!!! For a car that cost this much!!! There FLAGSHIP VECHICLE!!!!They claim this new transmission is seamless, which apparently its not. It is soooo aggravating, and to top it off now my car constantly sounds like it is revied up high!!!!!! So, Im now stuck with it!!!! I wanted to get the 09, but now I am scared....