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 to Ride - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Bnslee - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Stability and Performance is too amazing. I wouldnt ever thought of buying a sentra until after shopping around for cheap affordable car. I went to check out the civic and corolla, both extremely expensive both insurance and sticker price, and powerless. I purchase my car at 15600 before tax, for that price you cant get anything better. So before checking out a civic and corolla or any other car go test drive a SER sentra.

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  Best car for the money - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By BlackSpecV - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Hands down, this is the best car for the money. Paid $16,395 out the door for a 03 SpecV w/ floor mats and microfilter. Great financing from Nissan. Each time I get out, I find myself looking back at it with pride. Why get an underpowered Celica or Civic, when you can get this beast at the same price?

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  GREAT SUV - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Shawn Uda - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV. Good looks, ride and acceleration. Not a bank buster at the gas station.

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  I Love it! - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By Esther - July 18 - 1:40 am

  I Bought a Versa 6 months ago and found that was too small because I have 3 kids and 2 of them need car seats. I looked trying to find a car seat narrow but I couldnt find it so I decided to change the Versa for a Rogue and we love it! I have more space for the kids and I feel secure.

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  It makes car owner experience great again - 2017 Nissan Armada
  By LH in Pensacola - July 17 - 7:35 am

  I bought this SUV in Oct 2016, and its too new to give an accurate review. So far, its a great full size SUV. My wife loves it (technically, its hers). I took it back to the dealer a few days later for the wheel alignment because the steering wheel was off center. The dealer didnt have the wheel specs on 2017 model, but the Technician was able to use the 2016 Infinity QX80 specs to align the wheels. It has plenty of power and drinks lots of gas, but it has very nice safety features for the platinum package. I live in Pensacola, FL, but I bought the SUV in Mobile AL. We wanted to buy it locally, but the Nissan Dealership in Pensacola swapped the 2nd row captain seats to the bench seat after we agreed on the price. Good thing, I asked to see the SUV before I was going to sign the final paperwork. I went Mobile and got everything I wanted in the vehicle w/ the captain seats for $1300 less.

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  First Nissan - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Rick - July 15 - 2:16 am

  My wife and I were looking to trade in our Chevy Venture for a full size SUV. My first thought was ok now I get my Tahoe, NOT, after I drove the Armada there was no way I was getting a Tahoe. This thing is great, extreme comfort, powerful, and ROOM to spare. I love it.

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  Excellent Minivan - even the base model - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By A Paul - July 14 - 12:06 pm

  Pros: Lots of Standard features - Yes in base 3.5 model. (Traction, ABS,Brake Assist, curtain airbags, Tire pressure monitoring 2nd and 3rd Row AC Vent, Foldable 2nd and 3rd row seats, Trip Computer, Decent Audio system with AUX port for MP3) Excellent Saftey Excellent Performance Decent gas milage 14-18 city /25 - Highway Very good suspension Cons: Nothing so far we have driven only 1500 miles. The look from the back would have been slightly better. We got a black color one and that looks great Overall: We wanted a base model minivan and doing extensive research. We compared Toyota , Honda, Chrysler, Nissan and few other base models and Quest is the Best.

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  Very reliable suv - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By my2¢ - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I owned my Pathfinder for 4 years and never had one problem with it. I finally gave it up for a luxury suv and it was a little tough letting go. I can honestly say that it was the best car I have ever owned so far. Even better then the one I have now (it has interior noise issues.) There are many times that I wish I had it back. It would definately be an suv I would consider buying again.

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  nice car - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By indywoods - July 14 - 10:00 am

  i like this car. its fun to drive, very responsive, and has tons of room. negatives: I do not like the blind spot and I do wish the gas mileage was better. Its really a ingenious design and gets lots of looks. The stability is a big improvement over the Pathfinder.

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  MuranoFS - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Francis Souza - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Its one of the best car I have ever driven. The car corners heartily and stays impressively flat through curves.