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:

• 

  Floats over the road - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By empress007 - March 1 - 12:03 pm

  I bought the 2002 Maxima SE as a second choice to the Toyota Camry because the Camry seats were too short. To me, the styling of the Maxima is ugly but it is far superior to the Camry in terms of that old "driving excitement," not to mention the imperceptible transmission shifts, and a suspension that just floats down the road. Even the Maximas seats cant compare to the Chryslers.

• 

  solid performer - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By ichiang - March 1 - 8:40 am

  Id fall in love with the murano since april 03 at the new york auto show, finally bought it in july 04, I constantly compare this car with my 01 pathfinder LE and find nissan really had came a long way, sure foot of fwd, rear ventilated disc brake, limo like interior space, daul auto climate control, 18" wheel; green house feel for the front passengers(test drive the FX than you know what I mean), too bad I could only drive it on the weekend.(the wife always gets the new cars if you know what I mean)

• 

  A Tremendous Value! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By PozzyMoto - February 27 - 3:13 am

  I love my Altima. I have the luxury of a high priced designer vehicle without the dent in my wallet. I didnt realize that 4 cylanders had such great pickup. Its a pretty car, its a peppy car, its a reliable car. Why spen more?

• 

  THE QUEST FOR A SATISFIED OWNER - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By QUEST SE - February 27 - 2:00 am

  SETTING ASIDE THE NAME NISSAN QUEST...THIS VAN CAN MOVE AND PERFORMS VERY WELL IN ACCELARTING AND MANEUVERING HOWEVER IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SUSPENSION. THE VAN RATTLES TO MUCH AND BECOMES ANNOYING WHEN DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAYS AND SMOOTH SURFACES I GIVE IT THUMBS UP ....BUT STAY AWAY FROM LOCAL STREETS WITH POT HOLES AND UNEVEN SURFACES.

• 

  MURANO SL - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By JOE BACO - February 27 - 2:00 am

  WAITED UNTIL AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER INTRODUCTION BEFORE BUYING. RIDE IS STIFF AND TIRES TOO HARD AT RECOMMENDED PRESSURE OF 32PSI. EVEN AT 30PSI. IT IS TAKING TOO LONG FOR THE SUSPENSION TO GET SORT OF COMFORTABLE. THE CVT IS OK UNLESS YOU ARE A RACE DRIVER AT THE RED LIGHT. RESPONSIVE ENGINE. EXELLENT NIGHT VISION. I DO NOT NEED A SPORTS CAR NOW.

• 

  So far...so good - 2014 Nissan Frontier
  By jay357 - February 26 - 8:11 pm

  Traded my F150 for the Frontier due to size considerations. I just dont need a full size truck 365 days a year. Maybe twice a year but thats about it. I have about 1500 miles on the Fronty, like the size, styling and acceleration. MPG is only about 16.5 mpg with 75% highway driving. So its averaging about 1.5 less than my 2wd F150 with a V6. But the engine is still breaking in so hopefully the mileage will increase. More engine noise in the cabin than the F150 but its not bad. F150 seats were/are way better than the Frontier. The Frontier seats need more thigh support and longer seat bottom.

• 

  Nice - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By james - February 26 - 7:20 am

  Just got this car, it looks nice on the outside, just a little generic. drives smooth, overall a decent car. bought mine used with less than 100k miles on it for about $8000 plus tax. i wanted a Honda but i couldnt find out and was in a hurry to get a car. overall Im happy with the car. i got the S model, automatic, sedan.

• 

  Beware of gas tank problem! - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By John - February 25 - 2:20 pm

  Vehicle was fine until approx. 5000 miles, when it developed an awful squeak/creak from under vehicle. After second trip to dealer, I was told that there was a service fix which was a replacement fuel pump. After fix, squeak/creak was worse. Four more trips to Barrys and I was finally told that there were other customers with same problem, but there is no fix for it. Engineering was aware of problem. Meantime I am stuck with a $ 28,000 squeak/creak box. Beware!!!

• 

  Homework done, good car for the money - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By The aipster - February 25 - 10:40 am

  Ive had Sentras and Maximas in the past, and the fit and finish on this car is similar to a Sentra. Engine slightly more powerful than the Honda fit or the Kia rio5. Much more roomy and comfortable seats than the other two. Smooth quiet acceleration without engine laboring. Surprisingly nice handling and tight turn radius. My previous car was a Pontiac GTO (great sportscar, gas hog, no trunk) and while the versa is no sports car, its fun to drive and saves $$ on gas. The seats are spacious, comfortable and there is more than ample head and leg room. Seats do fold down but not flush in the back. Plenty of cup holders and power plugs. Great inexpensive roomy little car.

• 

  2000 Nissan Pathfiner SE 4x4 Fully Loaded - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ashlyanne - February 25 - 5:35 am

  I bought my Pathfinder for $1,200 last year with a little over 200,000 KMs on it. Since then Ive gotten it a fresh safety, new ball joints, inner and outer CV boots, transmission flush, new control arms, new gas tank and filler neck (last owner never washed the damn thing and my tank rusted out) new battery and other regular upkeeps like oil changes ect. Now all she needs is front end axles and struts and itll be like new. I got over 245,000 KMs on it now and still drives mint. Lots of power when I pass on the highway, great handling. No complaints other then I wish it had another gear!!! Revs high and sucks all my gas if I go over 110km lol. But overall awesome and I love it :)