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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  Fun Driving!! - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By My Max - February 21 - 10:19 pm

  I was considering the 2016 BMW 328xi. Who wouldnt its a BMW. After doing some serious research the 328xi base model didnt match up to the 2016 Maxima SR. After adding all the bells and whistles I wanted to the 328xi the price tag went from sub 40k to mid 50k. The 2016 Maxima SR was my choice. All those bells and whistles I wanted came standard for a price tag of sub 40k. Navigation, premium sound system, back up camera, sonar sensors, heated seats, heated steering wheel, really cool 19" wheels oh dont forget the 300 horses that make those 19s look even better on the road. Thats just to name a few. Im super excited I decide to go with the Maxima it has everything I wanted plus a few extras. If your looking for more BANG for your BUCK consider the Maxima. Cuddos to Nissan on a job well done!!!

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  my little white Nissan - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By pboggs - February 21 - 7:56 am

  We bought the car, and I have never been more happy with any purchase, as with this one. I absolutely love my little white Nissan Sentra. It drives like a dream, gets great mileage, and has room for my daughter in her seat in the back. And it has air conditioning. This was our first brand new car, and I dont want anything else, for a very long, long time. I may someday trade it in for a Pathfinder, but for nothing else. Thank you Nissan for helping us to get into this car. We love it.

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  Buy this car! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Jim G - February 21 - 7:06 am

  The Murano is the best combination of attractive design, comfort, utiltarian design, handling, and economy of any vehicle I have ever owned or driven.

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  my tank! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By niki - February 19 - 4:30 pm

  we, love it we went from a domestic midsize to the armada and it just feels so big! I have plenty of room for a carseet and and can still seat 5 more kids and my husband comfortably, thats important when hauling around a girls softball team and all their equipment, the trunk has plenty of room for it all, there is no complaing because someone is touching me, or my legs are cramped. everyone has their own space. the dvd player makes for a quiet ride when it is on.

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  Outstanding Vehicle (3.5L LE 2 WD) - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By nissan2k1 - February 18 - 3:06 am

  Bought it a month ago, vehicle garaged, serviced and well maintained by the orig. owner. I gave it 10s across the board, still trying to find flaws with the vehicle, other than the minor scratches that the vehicle was exposed to in an apartment parking lot environment for 6 months. 10s because my expectations of it are tempered by what it is. 135K miles, many newer SUVs wont run with it.

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  Spec V rocks! - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Spec V driver - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the best sport compact for the price. I have the sunroof and rockford fosgate system, and it is great having a loaded car (17" wheels, 6 spd, helical limited slip, racing suspension, strut bar, sports seats, mongo brakes, etc) without breaking the bank. Extremely fun to drive, plenty quick, corners awesome, and the car has plenty of "attitude." Go buy one now!!!

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  still a little cheap - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By TwistedPixel - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The car is great but when you hit a bump, it doesnt feel much different than my Camaro. It handles exceptionally well, accelerates well, but the bumps get ya. Also, the transmission feels "weak" and seems to stall when shifting.

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  Greatest Crossover Value for Under 35K - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By boogaboo - February 18 - 2:00 am

  After searching hi and lo for a replacement for the Mazda Tribute, and after lookind at RX300, Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander, the natural choice was the Missan Murano in the SL trim with AWD, the Premium Package, the Leather Package, Sunroof, and the Cold Package. This loaded configuaration was cheaper than the loaded MDX, almost as good a buy as the Honda Pilot, and overall a much better ride than all the aforementioned. The quality of the Nissan build was there and the style of the Murano will take you easily into the next 4 years. Dollar for dollar, look for look, performance for performance, there is no better crossover SUV.

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  Great Car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By waxsa2000 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive a VW Passat and I have allways sworn by German cars. This car is so much fun to drive that I sold my Passat and purchase a 3.5 Altima. I think it is well worth the money

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  Another Great Truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Spawnman - February 17 - 5:16 pm

  Just found a brand new 2005 Frontier on the lot, bought it in less than 1 hour. Traded in my 2000 Frontier. This is an awesome truck. If it didnt have a bed in the back I wouldnt believe its a truck! Rides and the doors close like a car. Very quite inside while driving.