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:

• 

  Unexpected Pleasure - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Lexicon 12 - September 26 - 1:56 am

  Recently stepped away from my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder with great fear. My lease was up and needed to step into an SUV with good style and better gas mileage. My only logical choice was the Nissan Murano. My problem was that it is much smaller compared to the Pathfinder but boy was I surprised. I love this SUV. Great handling, impressive power, and head turning good looks. I chose the Black on Black colors by the way. My only wish is that the Murano was the size of an Acura MDX. Otherwise it is an excellent vehicle. Oh... bumping up the horsepower to match an Infiniti FX35 would not hurt either. Im sure car lovers would appreciate the extra power. I know I would.

• 

  Nissan Rocks - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By smooches1 - September 25 - 8:29 pm

  I just want to say I LOVE NISSAN!! I have owned a used 1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE, a new 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE, a new 2004 Pathfinder SE and a new 2007 Nissan Xterra. Once I started with Nissan I have never left. In 2010, I was ready for another trade in and needed a vehicle with good gas mileage and not to low to the ground ( I am a six foot female). I researched the Rogue and then test drove it and I was in love. I have owned my 2011 for 5 months now and I love her. I fill up the tank twice a month compared to every 4-5 days with my xterra. She grips the road and highways like a dream. 4-cylinder CVT transmission took a little getting use to as I have been driving V6 for over 10 yrs.

• 

  The best car Ive owned so far - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Braintek - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Got the car yesterday and let me tell you that everything is perfect so far. The interior really spacious the front seats are comfty, the 17" tires takes rough curve at 120 KM/H. I drove on the highway at 140 KN/H then Ive shifted in 3rd and got an incredible boost up to 190 KM/H and it was still asking for more but I finally reduced speed. The sound system is incredible with the sub- woofer giving heart beats right through your body. The only thing that Im missing is a GPS system that I will get later this month. Im telling you go to the dealer and try a new Maxima 2003 it is contagious. Thanks

• 

  Great SUV - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JAraujo - September 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a great SUV not to big and not to small and it has the power you need, I bought my Pathfinder in june 2001 so far no problem, well just a small noise that it comes from the back of the wheels went I push the break, but I love my Pathfinder is great.

• 

  my review - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By rvklein - September 25 - 10:00 am

  blistering performance, and a great kid hauler to boot. The perfect combination of family car/sports car

• 

  Impressed by quality - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By JOMAMA - September 24 - 6:23 am

  The vehicle was impressive upon purchasing however i experienced brake problems after 7500 miles. The local dealer (nissan east in monroeville pa) corrected the problem and no further isuues were experienced

• 

  Great Buy!! - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Bennett - September 23 - 8:30 pm

  You get the comfort and style of some of the more expensive sedans but in a low cost and highly efficient vehicle. It looked a little "stubby" to me at first, but it grows on you and is incredibly roomy for the appearance. I would recommend to all. It provides a smooth ride with lots of comfort.

• 

  Great Truck - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By JWG - September 23 - 4:06 am

  Bought my 2007 Crew Cab 4 months ago and I love it. Traded in a 2004 Titan and love that too but the gas mileage won me over on the Frontier. Just bought another Frontier today.

• 

  Frontier on the Edge - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By wcoward - September 23 - 1:03 am

  The truck is the hardest working small truck on the market. The interior is laid out so that everything is in reach of your fingers. Its 4-cylinder motor is powerful enough to pull anything you want, except a house, a 30 ft boat, a travel trailer, or a horse trailer. If you needed to pull those things, you should have gotten the Titan. I work at a grocery store. I use my truck to pull trailers full of buggies, pallets of product, or anything we need to. One of my customers has a 97 Nissan pickup. He hauls about 200 cases of cold drinks in it, and it hasnt missed a beat. Hes got 270,000 miles on that truck.

• 

  Super SUV - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By islandman - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Great SUV. Bought brand new. Never had any problem with vehicle. Now has 90000 miles still runs like a charm. To this day still enjoy driving this vehicle. Handles well in any condition. Best bang for the buck.