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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  Watch Out for the Drivers Seat - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By newowner10 - July 4 - 4:58 am

  Murano in this vintage have a weak support on the drivers seat. If you look at the Chat area you will see what I mean. The part is $900 and you still need to install it or pay the labor.

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  Could be better - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By carol0311 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought this vehicle because I loved the design. The van looks sleek (two tone) and nice. But too many things wrong with it in the 1 1/2 years Ive had it. Almost immediately a door sensor went out and it kept thinking there was a door open. Sliding door window kept coming loose and would make an annoying noise until replaced. Passenger door window makes a noise when coming up or down and dealer says that there is nothing wrong with it??? Could make it better.

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  A Big Disappointment - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Rifkin - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I was really looking forward to this car as a replacement for my 1995 Maxima, but I had to forget it. 1)The slight torque steer in my Maxima is absolutely outrageous in the Altima; driving this thing aggressively on anything but absolutely dry pavement would be suicide. 2) The interior material quality approaches a Yugo. Even the 3.5 liter has the worst interior quality ever. 3) The 3.5 has performance tires rims that fit snow tires - hello new rims and tires.

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  2000 Nissan Maxima - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Nissan Guy - July 3 - 3:53 pm

  Hello all, Ive had my Nissan Maxima for about 4 yrs now. Not a bad car, it had 24,000 mi on it when I bought it in 2003, now has 112,500 mi on it. Besides the normal wear and tear, oil changes, expensive tires, I had to replace the front and rear rotors, both rear calipers, they leaked brake fluid. Had 1 ignition coil replaced at about 105,000 mi, that cost me $600. That was just one, they told me that the years 2000 to 2001 the coils were junk, so if you have one of those years, and you have not replaced them yet, youre lucky. Had to have the CPU reprogrammed, engine light came on due to the increase in ethanol to 10% from 5%. Its a very fast car with lots of power, Id buy another Nissan!

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  fuel mileage poor 4 cyl like v6 - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By d gussie - July 3 - 6:13 am

  just got car, has 25000 miles. drove 1000 got 22.5 mpg city &29 hwy. my 95 avalon v6 gets better at 24/31mpg. like style, sound, hot seats and all the toys. watch the gear shift, its tricky to work. also, dont lose your keys, they are dealer only item @ 128.00 ouch. two recalls cost 775.00 paid by nissan. so far so good. got agreat price 12.5m good value hope i dont have too much mechanical problems

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  fair weather car - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By xxxxx - July 2 - 1:20 pm

  My son owns a brand new 350z which he purchased in nov of last year The mileage at this time is very low based on the following. If anyone would have explained up front that the car is terrible in snow,ice and rain I am sure he would have looked elsewhere for a vehicle. The car it self is beautiful, however when you can only drive it on a dry day it really take the fun and enjoyment out of the car. With the weather we have had over the past few months, he has been forced to take my car instead of his. This is the only way he could get to work, as his z had to stay in the drive way.

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  Option to the Maxima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Boxsky - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Good power, avg 25mpg highway and i have a lead foot, handles well for front wheel drive, roomy, surprised my friend with his mercedes 400e seemed to have less room then the altima

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  Likes - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Robert R. King - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Best Headlights and trannie on the market

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  white ride - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By acervant - June 30 - 10:56 pm

  Had a 97 nissan sentra, loved it, it got smashed in a parking lot, so i had to get a new one. I stuck with sentra so i got an 06, but i still loved my 97 more. nice new features, but the simplicity of the 97 was more attractive to me. the 06 is all about looking new but not necessarily performing better. i think i also got better milage on the 97

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  Strong like bull - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Jerod - June 30 - 6:46 pm

  Great 4-cylinder car with 145 horsepower. I bought the car new in October, 2001 and have driven it ever since - 113,000 miles so far. Fuel economy has been good the whole time, and is the same now as it was when I bought it (26 city/30+ highway). The only upgrade Ive added is a K&N Air Filter Charger for about $40 (improves fuel economy and horsepower a little bit). Only maintenance other than routine has been new brakes, new tires, and new spark plugs. Handling is great. My only complaint the whole time has been the road noise - its pretty noisy at highway speeds. Didnt like the "premium" sound system that came with the SE model, so I added an aftermarket system.