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:

• 

  BLACK BEAUTY - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By blackmorpheus - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY MAX..THIS IS MY THIRD ONE SO I FEEL I CAN SPEAK ON THE MAXIMA. I LOVE THE HORSE POWER AND THE BIG 18" WHEELS. I FEEL LIKE I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT ON THE ROAD AND MY MAX WILL TAKE CARE OF ME. I THINK THE DESIGN TEAM DID A REALLY GOOD JOB WITH THIS ONE. I ALSO FEEL THAT ITS COMPARABLE WITH THE INFINITIS G-35 SEDAN AND BIGGER. TRUELY A HEAD TURNER AND FUN TO DRIVE. I LOVE THIS CAR. A TRUE MAXIMA OWNER FROM THE PAST WILL APPRECIATE WHAT NISSAN HAS DONE FOR THE 2004 MODEL AND IM SURE OTHER BUYERS WHO NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF OWNING A MAX WILL AS WELL. I THINK NISSAN HAS THE BEST LOOKING CARS ON THE ROAD RIGHT NOW AND THEY DONT LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER MAKE AND MODELS. MAXIMA IS KING.

• 

  Best Car for the Money - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By NC Girl - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I love my 350 Z! My first car was a 300ZX and it was awesome but the 350 Z is that and more. Its beautiful, fast, fun to drive, and gets decent gas mileage. I am an attractive female but this car makes me lot even better. Every week someone stops and ask me "What kind of car is that?" Who knows this car might even get me a date or two. Overall, you get a lot more car for your money compared to other cars in the Zs class! Zoom! Zoom!

• 

  Absolutely smooth driving - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By BBB1 - November 9 - 5:23 pm

  I fell in love with the murano when I sure them being driven on the street. The murano has such a slick style to it. I love driving my car and just being in it. The interior is subtle and comfortable. My merlot nissan murano is just a gorgeous car. Also the murano is not a gas guzzler.

• 

  Cool & Gorgeous! - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Deborah - November 9 - 2:21 pm

  If you want a 4 door sedan thats cool, yet chic, yet practical, yet sporty & fun to drive ... you should test drive the 2016 Maxima! If you dont necessarily want a convertible, the SL has the double panoramic sunroof! It really is the 4 door sports car they say it is! Love it! I did have to learn to duck my head a little to get in (Im tall & wear heels!), and it does not get the great gas mileage as my Altima but its not a deal breaker because its still good. (Believe me, I dont buy gas guzzlers no matter how much I like the car!) Try it out!

• 

  EZ - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By G in hawaii - November 9 - 12:10 am

  Great looking, fun and fast! Only have 100 miles on it so far. No regrets on this baby.

• 

  The Nissan Z - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Bill - November 8 - 10:23 pm

  This 2006 is my third 350Z.....I have always purchased new cars and the 350z is by far the best ever. It looks great, it is very quick and very maneuverable, gas mileage is reasonable 25 highway 17 city. The car is not good in snow, rear wheel drive, light weight and very powerful engine team up against good traction when roads are very slippery but you can learn to live with this one drawback and take a bus or cab when roads are treacherous. All around this is the best car I have ever owned. It beats any Other Brand car I ever owned. It is a two seater so dont expect too much living room but the rear space is adequate for most. I love this car absolutely no question about it.

• 

  MPG After Two Years - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ohlode - November 8 - 3:06 am

  Regarding MPG on my 2008 Pathfinder S 4x4 with automatic transmission. After two years and 28K I consistently get 18.5 mpg mainly around town and usually with a small mix of expressway/freeway driving. I use 87 octane only. A/C or not it gets the same mileage. On trips Ive averaged 23 mpg. Hope this is helpful. I chose the Pathfinder over the 4 Runner because of the deal. About four thousand cheaper and the base 2008 4 runner didnt even have the 3d seat as standard. Towing capacity was 1K more than the V6 4 runner. So glad I picked the Pathfinder.

• 

  Great fun car to drive - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By scottbui - November 6 - 4:10 pm

  I tried the SLK 280/350, Z4 and neither of these vehicles came close to the fun factor of owning the 350z. Shouldve purchased a 4 seater though to give more flexibility but thats the nature of the beast in purchasing a 2 seater.

• 

  Bought this for my wife, she loves it! - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By DW - November 6 - 9:10 am

  My wife is in love with this car. I got this for her as a surprise and did not go wrong. I am jealous because I drive a Montana mini-van. The Murano is the best car I have ever owned and a fantastic value. CVT is a smooth driving experience. I am 62 and love the leg and hip room.

• 

  The Rogue Rocks - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By ssaunder - November 6 - 6:36 am

  The first thing to get used to is the CVT. Since there are no actual gears to run through, you do not realize your speed. The fit and finish is superbly Nissan. The drivers seat feels like a cockpit. The seat height is perfect to feel off the road and in command. Love the satellite radio. The bluetooth was the first thing we configured, then the homelink. Nice features in this sub-30K vehicle. Feels very luxurious in SL with all options.