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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  The Max - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Doug - March 22 - 3:43 am

  Ive had my Max for 4 years and have enjoyed nearly every minute. Few options exist for those needing midsize room but enjoy rowing through the gears in the twisties. With the 5-speed the Max is an economical solution for those craving a 5-Series. The engine is strong and reliable, even 8 years after it was born. The handling was sloppy and ride height unnaturally tall. Replacing the stock suspension with Koni shocks and Eibach springs, and later a short throw shifter, made the Max an exciting car to drive. Comfortable on long commutes and thrilling through the turns, I love this car. She has it all, performance, fit & finish, reliability, and enduring good looks.

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  Love to drive it! - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By x-terra girl x 2 - March 22 - 3:16 am

  I replaced my 2000 x-terra (213,000 miles) with a 2010 x-terra off road. Loved my old buddy very much. I went from Manual to Automatic, which was good in some instances; tho I miss shifting. I travel in snow (sometimes up to the grill-with good tires) and travel off-road all year long and could not ask for a better SUV. "Sam" was a great truck, and now "SamSon" (yes I name my cars) will hopefully be with me 10 - 12 years. I highly recommend the X-Terra line.

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  MOM WHO? THIS IS DADS VAN! - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By EDWIN - March 21 - 9:16 pm

  I leased a 2004 nissan quest se, it was good to us. I feel comfortable knowing my family is safe, my wife tested that, thankfully the van passed and my family walked away, the van made a full recovery. I take that heavily. So in respect to the van I looked for another and bought my 2007 se. Its like falling in love all over. We checked out the competition but found things we didnt like in all of them. Now the Quest, thats a cool Dad, a happy wife, and an entertained 4 year old - did I mention dual 8" screens and skyviews.

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  My Maxima is the MAX. - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Joe Dvorsky - March 21 - 9:29 am

  The Maxima is a great car. I only have 660 miles on my Maxima SL, and already love it. It is a great value considering the equipment included. The SL is so well equipped, that there are no option packages. Everything that is optional are individual items. The fit and finish is something you would expect to see in a Lexus, Acura, Cadillac, etc. If I were to say anything negative, I would say the Maxima never quite lived up to the 4DSC label, and the new 2016 is no exception. Despite this, the car is fast (well composed at high speeds), handles very well, and is a great driving experience. I have had my Maxima on two road trips, and hoped neither would come to an end.

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  Hastily assembled, hastily designed - 2018 Nissan Rogue
  By John Ho - March 21 - 4:35 am

  This vehicle was not thought out, designed, or assembled very diligently. My review is based on an all day test drive of the top of the line SV. The dash looks nice but peering around the rest of the interior, my eyes were drawn to poor fit and finish of several of the plastic interior panels. The interior feels closed in with huge C and D pillars that severely block rearward visibility. The more time I spent in it, the more design oversights I noticed. The sunroof is too far back and small, the exterior dimensions lead you to think the interior is roomy but it is small in ratio to the exterior. The backseat comfort seems like an afterthought. Spend 10 minutes sitting in the back and you realize it is not for long jaunts. The seating position puts your knees upwards and the visibility out the sides, front and rear is obstructed. It was loud back there too on the freeway. On the exterior, the paint had lots of orange peel, there were panel fitment issues, and uneven gaps. On the road it was a pleasure to corner, steer, brake, and accelerate with a good road feel. However, there was pronounced tire/ wind/ road noise most notably when riding in the back seat as a passenger where it was much louder and difficult being part of the front seat conversation. Under the hood was not well laid out. The engine was less than an inch from the passenger side frame rail and and the whole layout of lines and hoses looked like a thrown together mess. A better vehicle for the money this is not.

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  Juke Box Rocks! - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By franky83 - March 20 - 10:09 pm

  Traded in my Nissan Xterra for the Juke. I have a 100 mile daily commute and the Xterra was way too expensive to drive. Just happened to find the juke which meets the same needs I had with my Xterra, a vehicle to take skiing and load my kayaks on. My Juke Box has been great!! Im getting about 29 mph, its a lot more comfortable then my Xterra, and with the sport option its great when I need to pass in traffic. I love this little car, and all the looks I get when driving it!

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  2007 Murano our second Nissan - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Gord - March 20 - 1:56 pm

  Its not hard to go from driving a mid size GM van for 17 years to a new Murano SL awd. our other car is a 2000 Maxima SE. It is the quality and dependability of the Maxima that made my wife and I look into the Murano. We snow ski in the winter and water ski in the summer. We tow a Sea Doo (1000 lbs) to our favorite summer getaway (300 miles) and with the awd...theres not a snow hill that has prevented us from getting to the top safely. It may not have the same ride as the SE, but, it handles the roads just the same. Its stylish and it doesnt take long to get used to the CVT. CVT is like taking off in a jet... imagine the pilot having to shift gears during takeoff.

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  Overall I am satisfied but.... - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By wheelsless - March 20 - 12:37 pm

  this car has some really annoying issues. I purchased my 2005 Nissan Quest in 2006. It drives well. I replaced brakes about 18 mos ago and had to replace again a month ago. The rear windshield wiper has fallen off, the two sliding side doors are difficult to open due to the rubber being loose. The gas gauge and mileage has dissappeared making any trip outside of my town scary. The right side window is stuck open...but the left one is fine. The air vent, heating/AC in front of vehicle has stopped blowing air and the vent cover has fallen out behind driver street. Since this is a gently used vehicle i expected these minor issues not to happen.

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  good buy - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By buj - March 20 - 6:10 am

  2 months old and 3750 miles and no problems. quieter and more comfortable than my 2002 civic...but, gas mileage not as good. great stereo/cd player, breathable seating material, comfortable seats, power options work as expected

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  fourth maxima in a row - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By maxima fan - March 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Maxima in a row. I buy them at 125,000 (around $6000) and sell them with 225,000 miles (around $1500). Ive never had to work on any Maxima motor or trans!!!! I had to replace an alternator once. It is the best car for the money, PERIOD !!!! I cant afford to drive anything else.