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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  family freindly - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By ameaustin - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Duel rear air is a very nice feature, driver controls and passenger comfort exelent! Power and road handling above average.

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  Very good first car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By redcoatjones - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought my sentra in 2000. First car I bought myself (post-college), and I have been very pleased. Good gas milage (30-32 mpg), and great handling for a commute up and down the interstate. No major problems, but I had 1 trip to dealer for recalls and had to replace the original tires after only 1.5 years. Recommend for someone who needs a car for commuting. Not recommended for large families or someone who carries lots of cargo.

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  MAXIMA IN DISGUISE - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By CCDP112 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  MY 2002 GLE MAXIMA AND THIS CAR BOTH DRIVE QUIETLY, AND SMOOTH. THE ACCELERATION IS VERY NICE FOR AN SUV. WE DROVE THE JEEP LIBERTY 4x4, EXTERRA 4x4, AND A FEW OTHERS, NONE COMPARED TO THIS VEHICLE.

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  What a minivan should be. - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By SinCityRX8 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Just love everything and is a head turner. What a gorgeous design, in and out. I now have more patience waiting for wife at the mall, just have to remember to take a DVD along. Christmas shopping shouldnt be as difficult anymore, for me that is. Between the Quest and the RX-8, I am having a ball.

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  Nissan Hits a homerun - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By pios95 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  We picked up our van 3 weeks ago and couldnt be happier. It is really a fun van to drive. Id have give it a 10 on "Fun to Drive," but it is still a minivan. It just wont corner like my Maxima does! The engine is very peppy (for a minivan) and the ride and comfort are flawless! We have one minor problem with the radio (hasnt been returned to be fixed yet), but no other quality problems at all. Its a great van with a lot of nice features that we werent even aware of until we got it home and studied it. Id highly recommend it.

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  This car is a sleeper! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Prophet B.R .Harden - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I find this to be the very best car I ever purchased. A head turner. Exceleration is awesome. I went in to nissan to buy the new 2004 maxima, but after test driving the murano i was hooked. My wife and I are extreemly please with this vehicle. It has all the functions of a SUV but the ride of a smooth luxury car and then can fly like a high perfomace raodster.

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  Great alternative to the standard SUV - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By RPSKIBICKI - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall styling is refreshing when compared to other SUVs. Great fuel economy with good performance. The CVT drives well, but takes some getting use to as you dont "feel" the gears shifting. The interior and exterior has a wonderful fit and finish.

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  Supreme - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By ofcweb2075 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy my Z car. I can ascape the stresses of the world when I hit the road.

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  this is a fun car! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By el - November 15 - 2:00 am

  ive only had the car a few weeks, but i just love it! it makes me happy just to drive it; who cares where to or if theres any traffic. the power and acceleration are great, and the car hugs curves so well it challenges me to keep trying faster and faster cornering. maybe the only downside will be the tickets i fear i might start collecting!

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  2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By mjhand - November 15 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive! Its so fast and cool looking that Nissan had to redesign their flagship Maxima because peopel were buying the Altima instead. Handling is great. Good fuel economy. I get about 30 mpg on the highway. Fairly quiet ride. Awesome sound system! Biggest complaint is that Nissan could upgrade the trip computer to be more ergonomic (you have to change displays from the steering wheel, but then have to reset each one from the dash board).