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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  2004 Nissan Murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By R. Hays - November 18 - 11:00 pm

  The Murano handles like the old large body Audis and has that same heavy, stuck to the ground feel when cornering. Compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, my last vehicle, this SUV has a roomier interior and seemingly wider interior. It outperforms the Jeep V8 with the 3.5L high performance engine and has more horsepower than my 94 Jeep with the V8. Much improved gas mileage of about 18 around town to 23 on the highway. Leather seats are some of the best Ive seen in an SUV for comfort and the back seats tilt back, which is a nice feature. The Bose stereo with CD is impressivel with multiple speakers and subwoofer. The vehicle has great visibility with virtually no visible hood.

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  !!!!!!!!!!WOW!!!!!!!! - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By andy - November 17 - 9:50 am

  I have the xe 4 cyl in an automatic, I swapped the tires and rims and this truck can do anything! Very very happy with my purchase... Just change the oil and go! Tuff truck! No problems and it just turned 43,000 miles. I bought it used, great gas mileage for a truck... Can tow, haul anything I throw at it! Just love it!

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  Trading in my pathfinder - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Michelle - November 16 - 11:33 pm

  I have been a Pathfinder owner for the last 9 years. I decided that I needed something smaller and had done a lot of research on the rogue. Well today, I am the owner of a 2008 Rogue, in blue with leather. So far so good. It is smaller, but for a 4cyl it has a lot of pep. Love the Bose radio and XM is a nice bonus. I think this car will go very well in the snow and I am looking forward to the gas savings.

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  2007 Versa S Automatic, Power Package - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By SamNC - November 16 - 9:40 pm

  It downshifts between 20-45 mph at which speeds to merge on highways are dangerous. There is a second or 2 delay in shifting gears, seems in neutral with high revs. It accelerates well from 60 to 70 mph and is equally well accelerating from 70 to 80 or 90 mph. Very good steering and handling when driving below 65 mph. Anything above 65 mph, steering becomes bad and sway a little within the driving lane. The car is now at 800 miles. With about 45% highway 55% city and I am easy on throttle and look way ahead for stop driving, I get about 25 mpg, way below the expected 32 mpg. Remotes and keys are quite bulky.

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  Love It!! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By roni - November 16 - 4:43 pm

  I had my eye on the Murano for some time. I read numerous reviews and overall thought it to be a good value. I had to go a couple years older becuase Nissan tends to hold their value and an 03 worked best for my price range. Any car I have ever purchased in teh past, I had a twinge of "buyers remorse" - not this time. I have to say I am very pleased with this vehicle.

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  My Second Versa - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By rarrowsmith - November 16 - 3:47 am

  I just purchased a gently used 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback. This is actually my second Versa and Ill keep buying them. The cost is incredible, the quality is fantastic, the value for your money is unmatched. I drive 30 minutes each way for work 5 days a week and do quite a bit of road trips to see family. The Versa is fun to drive, is great on gas and its roomy and comfortable. I have an 8-month-old son and its so much easier getting a car seat in and out of this car than any other Ive had. The doors open wide and the seats are a bit higher, so its easy! The first Versa I had took a ponding in a severe hail storm. It cleaned up great and went on ticking!

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  GREAT SUV FOR ME! - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Victor Salgado - November 15 - 10:12 pm

  so I bought my 06 Nissan armada LE 4x4 back in 2005. I was very first owner of this SUV.... I think the price wasnt the best. I paid $54k+ tax and all so it went up to $58k. This truck has been to mexico and back 7 times! And has never gave me a problem on the way. I drive two days straight no stopping only for gas&food.. When I drive past Arizona it is about (105-120°F) and it has never over heated on me. Now I see many people on the comments giving this SUV 1 star because the breaks got worn out? Of course they will go out eventually. I love this truck. I own a 2008 ford f250 6.4 lariat 4door 4x4 I have had it for a year and a half and so far wasted $+10,000 in repairs including transmission it has been in the shop 7 times so far...... And my armada has always been there for me! My son also drives the armada and like every teenager he drives it like shi*! Full throttle. Burnouts and stuff and yet the truck is still up ! Reason why the truck is still up is because I actually spend time on it. Spark plugs , filters. Oil and the rest. Some people never change that stuff and expect it to go for years! I give this truck a 5/5.

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  Just some info!!!! :) - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By CSR - November 15 - 7:03 pm

  Purchased brand new 2008 Titan pro-4x, galaxy black with the leather bench and Rockford system. Awesome looking with tow and sliding bed divider. Truck has been a pleasure to drive so far. Lots of power and getting lots of looks. Radio rocks and bluetooth works well. Getting between 11-13 mpg so far; only 400 miles on truck so too early to tell how close epa mpg will be. Two issues though - truck delivered with airbag malfunction which needed a dashboard drop and new airbag module installed and the incab microfilter missing. MX shop told me 3 days to 2 weeks to get fixed - lol!!! Not great news for a brand new truck BUT fixed in 3 days.

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  Murano is one the thebest - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By john grant - November 15 - 4:23 am

  Very well made. Features not available yet on suvs costing 10k more, integrated priority Bluetooth for 5 drivers, color rear camera, power remote tailgate dual sun roof. Real iPod connection with playlists on the screen, push button remote start, XM sat with nav traffic, power up and down rear seats. Ambient lighting, nice interior. (Ill stop but theres more), plus it s quiet and solid driving.

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  First Nissan - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Front 4 you - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful, fun to drive truck. gets the looks being bright red and different from the rest. plenty of power and comfort.