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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  "Nissan...the Murano is a 10!" - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Steve - March 20 - 5:50 pm

  BMW X-5 performance, Porsche Cayenne looks, and all for a fraction of the price...way to go Nissan! This SUV crossover smells and looks like success. The CVT transmission may lack 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, but I was not buying a sportscar. I wanted comfort and practicality and if this is what you seek, you will love this vehicle as I do. By far, this was the best car decision I ever made. Douglas Nissan in Huntington Beach made this an awesome car buying experience and I cant say enough about the SE AWD Murano!

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  The best of the Best - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Pedro Claudio - March 19 - 3:16 pm

  This car was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had a chevy before and it fell apart on me and it was a 200 chevy astro conversion and i traded it for the nissan pathfinder. And this tuck has a beautiful ride very powerful good on gas and comfortable to drive with the family or even step on the gas once in a while.

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  electric car - 2015 Nissan Leaf
  By j e - March 18 - 4:50 pm

  The range is limited by cold weather. Takes out about 35% of range, if temperature below 30. In the 2016 model range is increased by 23 miles so this will help. I still love the car but you need a second car for long trips. Fast charging is a problem for long trips. Only Tesla has the infrastructure. However, for a commuter the Nissan works well. And best of all the only maintenance is to rotate the tires. Thats it. Now that Nissan has a car with 150 miles range the commuting ability is much better. And in 2018 model the range is said to go beyond 200 miles. Tesla has cars with range of 350, but who can afford them at $130,000 for the Model S. The Model 3 will be under $50,000, so they are getting realistic for most of us. But Nissan still best value.

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  Titan FOREVER IN MT 1 year review - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By L.O. in MT - March 17 - 8:06 pm

  We bought our titan last December and after a year of owning it we love ours! Are titan drives like its still new! These trucks are very safe too! I should know another car did a 360 spin in front of us going down a steep hill that was very icy it hit the drivers side which caused us too slide off the road and go down a very steep embankment and roll it landed back on its wheels and surprisingly it was still running perfect and none of us was injured highly. we got it fixed and it runs like nothing ever happened. highly recommend this vehicle. the cabin is very quite.

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  Nice Car BUT... - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By cherryja - March 17 - 9:00 am

  Overall, this car is a mess. I purchased a Nissan because I thought they were reliable cars. My Murano has been nothing but trouble, I had the car stop on me in the middle of traffic 3 times: 1. alternater 2. transmission (which had to be repaired 3 times) 3. battery. 4. Now I have to pay for a catalytic converter. Nissan did nothing to me make me happy except take my money. Because I drive a great distance to work, I was anticipating a reliable car, instead I got a over priced piece of junk that just looks good on the exterior. I will never buy another Nissan again.

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  I wish I had never bought IT!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Heather White - March 16 - 2:23 pm

  It was love at first sight but I think I was completely blind. We have had nothing but trouble from this van since day 1. Our van has been the shop around 100 time and that is not including regular maintance. Our sliding doors have came apart and we have had doors adjusted and not been able to open them. The trunk leaked and messed the carpet up and that is just to start. On top of that we have not had the best of service workers. We have had nothing but trouble with them. As we speak it is in the shop once again. I cant wait till we can get rid of it. Oh yeah and the trade it value had dropped b/c of the problems. I will never buy a Nissan agian.

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  Feels Like A Luxury Car - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Riogrant - March 16 - 2:20 pm

  Who says a minivan cant be fun to drive?...I personally thought the only thing I would drive with mini attached to it would be a Mini Cooper. However with our second child coming in January we began looking for something with more space. After shopping the competition we were happy to find a mini van with everything we wanted and more. We purchased the SE with smoke exterior and rouge interior. It truly is a piece of art. The fit and finish is perfect. Everyone I have given a ride to comments on how un-mini van like it is...and how it is very sporty and fun. My wife and I have been big Volkswagen fans for years. This van makes me want to go 100% Nissan.

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  Perfect design - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Dave - March 16 - 12:56 pm

  All other trucks in this category felt small and cramped even with a crew cab. The shifting and power are AWESOME plus this truck defines versatility. I got the power package which is a must and a good deal. I love this truck!

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  They got it right! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Retired Frogman - March 16 - 10:10 am

  Steering assist, precise steering going down the road were the things I smiled about on test drive. I had to have it, traded in my 2001 Maxima, and Ive been grinning ever since. This is a fun car to drive. Nary a rattle, fit, finish are excellent. Why pay more for a G35 and RWD. Torque steer is gone. I cant rate the 2007 highly enough.

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  First Impression - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By George N - March 16 - 3:00 am

  Have 2008 350Z, very impressive. Only minor issues in 30000 miles. Obviously went to see 2009 370Z to compare. Gone are the leather door panel trim for left over seating materials. Gone is the rear storage, which was huge for this car. Gone is the accessible 2nd power point. Now located inside the armrest?????? Gone is the hideaway cup holder, replaced by an ugly hole in the center tunnel. Gone is the blended center dash flip up door. Replaced by an ugly covering of leatherette with white stitching that stands out and constantly grabs your attention. Gone is the rear wiper?????? Question: A tow hitch port in rear bumper??