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:

• 

  Sentra - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By John Mevalani - November 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is so reliable, surprising power, fuel economic (twin cams). this car is also very underrated (as good or even better than a civic which is also overrated).

• 

  Maxima is the best! - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Obeone Konobe - November 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car ever! It is fast, sleek, and beautiful! Ours is an SE silver exterior with a black leather interior. Its BOSE stereo system rocks the town! Everyone loves the car and gives me commpliments where ever I go!! It is built tough and it holds in an accident!

• 

  new car - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By norrisgray - November 6 - 2:00 am

  new, but very good so far.

• 

  Looked them all over - this is the one - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By budmandoq - November 6 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have tried many 2003 SUVs and cars - from the GMC Envoy, to the Infinity G35, from the Bonneville to the Cadillac CTV, from the Jeep Legend to the Toyota Highlander. True, were not "off roaders" and we like our creature comforts. By far, the Murano SL with Leather and Premium packages and Traction control, was the best ride, the best feel of quality, and the best overall match of "THE vehicle" we wanted. Not to mention it looks great. Highly recommended. And contrary to some other posters views on economics, we consider even MSRP list as cheap for this vehicle. Thanks Nissan! We love it.

• 

  Excellent value for money - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By thgeary - November 5 - 2:16 pm

  The car is awesome overall - very, very smart indeed, nippy/fast around town, but engine is geared low (hence the nippiness) so it revs high on freeway - 4k rpm for 80 mph - sounds like youre in a washing machine. backseat leg room is inexplicably huge - really - even for two 66" men sitting tandem its huge. The inside materials are surprisingly good. gas mileage so far is 34 freeway, 30 commute (mix). So thats fine. The front-on view is pretty ugly, it has to be said, but I rarely see it, so i dont care. manual transmission is fun but notchy - this is no sports car (you knew that already though) Excellent value for money - 11.4k with destination, before tax etc. cant be beat.

• 

  Maximas still a great car!!! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Leon - November 5 - 5:56 am

  Overall the Maxima is a great car. I owned one 15y ago and Im still impressed with the 05s. Nissan did a great job. I must say its a top rated car. So far I am very pleased. I purchased the SL model. I test drove the SL & SE. You could tell the difference in the ride. If you like a sports ride get the SE. I love luxury so SL was my choice. The dealership was great too.

• 

  05 Armada.... The Best !!! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Ben - November 4 - 4:00 pm

  We just got our Armada and I will tell you its been the best truck Ive owned thus far. Very comfortable and has plenty of room and power. I used to own a Montero and I got frustrated all the time driving it. Nissan did a good job on this one!!

• 

  Awesome car - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By moon12 - November 4 - 12:33 pm

  Hey looking for a great car this is the one! I bought my Altima in 2006 with 114k miles on it, and at 172k its still running strong. Besides the minor work its very dependable great on gas and roomy. Nissan did a great job with this one, if I could have anything else I would keep this one.

• 

  I love my Nissan - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By womenscountry - November 4 - 2:20 am

  I used the internet to compare cars along with Comsumer Report. I bought my Sentra after 3 months of research led me to believe it was the car for me. I drive in town and on the highway and it does great in both modes. I am not a speedster so a small 4 cylindar car with high MPG is what I was looking for. The price was great too. So far it has performed as I thought it would. I have driven both Toyotas and Mazdas in the past but they are both getting a bit pricey for what I need a car to do. I would buy it again, no doubt.

• 

  So glad I waited for the 2016 - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By James Craven - November 2 - 5:46 pm

  Over the years, I have purchased Maximas in 2007 and 2011. I had been waiting for the 2016 Maxima for a while and when the car began appearing on local Nissan lots, I was immediately contacted by the dealerships since I had been bothering them wanting to know when the 2016s would arrive. When I first test drove the one Maxima they had on the lot, I was not impressed. It might have had something to do with the fact that they would not let me take it out on the road. Anyway, I left to return when they had more of a selection to choose from. I was able to test drive an SL and was blown away by the acceleration, handling and style. I was able to take it on mountain roads as well as the interstate. I could not have been happier. I was all set to purchase the SL but saw the Platinum version and that was all I needed. Took the Platinum home 2 hours later. I have had this car since July 4, 2015 and couldnt be more satisfied. This is a great car. I have actually had people stop me in parking lots wanting to see the interior and talk about the car. Do yourself a huge favor and get this car. It is really fun to drive and it will definitely turn heads.