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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  Big Power, Big Room and Big Style. - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By CSW - April 10 - 6:10 am

  Overall it is simply the most powerful, best looking and most roomy SUV in its class.....and that alone is saying a mouthful. Sure the interior is a little cheap, but you canÂ’t have everything. Bold bodacious styling, all aluminum DOHC V8 that will dust a hemi, and a huge, roomy and comfortable interior. Nissan spent the money where it counts in my book. Compared to where GM, Ford, Toyota, etc., etc. spent their money....I would go with the Armada any day. With that said, I did have to replace the front brakes. I got online, found some slotted rotors and ceramic pads, and fixed the problem permanently myself for about $300. I didnt fool around with the dealers poor service.

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  LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By LYNN CLEMENTS - April 10 - 2:00 am

  THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS A HANDLE ABOVE THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I GOT SPOILED ON PREVIOUS SUV HOLDLING ONTO THE HANDLE. ROOFRACK NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE AS AN ADD ON LATER. BODY SIDE MOULDING WOULD BE A PLUS. THIS SUV IS DEFINITELY A HEAD TURNER. I HAVE HAD A JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND NISSIAN HAS PASSED THEM BOTH ON INTERIOR, QUIETNESS AND STYLE.

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  Greatest Max - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By sanjoseman - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 3.5 SE with auto trans and majestic blue exterior. Love the engine and trans combo (dual mode smoothness), performance that seems lethargic but is actually hot, terrific engine growl under hard acceleration, absolutely NO torque steer with auto trans (have not driven manual). I evaluated the GS400 (used), 2004 TL, G35 Coupe and sedan, ALTIMA V6 and the Maxima represents the best bang-for-buck overall. Recommend as a solid buy, although resale not its strength. I have received so many compliments and admiring glances from other motorists, including from wealthy drivers of euro high-end sedans and coupes.

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  Maxima 2004 Review - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima Fan - April 10 - 2:00 am

  The power is great, sound sstem is excellent. Internal design is good

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  Best Car for the Money - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By MustDriveOn - April 9 - 9:00 pm

  I LOVE this car. I upgraded from a 2006 Sentra that I also got new off the lot. I researched cars for literally a year before finally deciding on this one. Other choices were the Honda Civic and Mitsubishi Lancer among others. Major upgrades on this car over the past Sentras. I love the sportier look of the SR with the underbody kit and the interior comfort. This car has EVERYTHING on it that I wanted, but my favorite feature is the CVT. Seamless driving means more power and faster pickup on the highway. Getting 30 mpg.

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  Move over for the Armada - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By David - April 9 - 2:06 am

  If you see this monster in your rear- view mirror, pull over and let it by. The 305 hp engine in the Nissan Armada with its best in class torque means this SUV really moves. Its gas mileage is nothing to write home about, it gets only around 13 mpg city, but this is about the same as all others in its class. This is the third largest SUV on the road after the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Excursion. Its 9,800# towing capacity will pull the largest of boats, which is made even easier by the longer wheel base than a Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition. The interior is very nice. The updated interior that obviously got a lot of attention from Nissan. The cloth seats are really comfortable, so much so that you may just want to pass on the leather. This definitely is the vehicle for a family on the go.

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  Move over for the Armada - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By David - April 9 - 2:06 am

  If you see this monster in your rear-view mirror, pull over and let it by. The 305 hp engine with best in class torque means my Nissan Armada really moves. It is nothing to write home about on gas mileage as it gets 13 mpg city, about the same as all others in its class. It is the third largest SUV on the road after the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Excursion. Its 9,800# towing capacity will pull the largest of boats, which is made even easier by the longer wheel base than a Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition. the inside is very nice, updated interior that obviously got a lot of attention from Nissan. The cloth seats are really comfortable, so much so that you may just want to pass on the leather. this is definitely the vehicle for a family on the go.

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  02 Pathfinder LE 4x4 - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JamesT - April 8 - 11:46 am

  Very nice ride, Ill second the smooth silky feel of the shifting. Handles great. Great visability out the front. Best bang for the buck, better buy than the 4runner! Im so happy w/the Pathfinder!

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  Love my Max - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By David Ballerini - April 8 - 1:36 am

  I bought the Max to replace my wifes 98 Gran Prix. She liked the sporty ride of the Pontiac, so the SE was a better choice than the SL. The Maxima has proven itself in comfort, performance and gas economy. I consistently get 22+ mph with mixed driving. My wife gets around 20-21 mph. I now have almost 8000 miles on the car and I absolutely love driving it. The power is awesome under hard acceleration. It is quiet on the highway an has every convenience a driver could ask for. Great car!

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  NICE SUV - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By BILL - April 8 - 1:33 am

  Very happy - nice ride - lots of saftey features ex. Side curtain air bags - awd is nice because you only put in awd when you want - saves on gas when it is off - smooth ride - comfort is nice both for kids and parents