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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  armada - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By kevin - May 4 - 9:03 pm

  excellent buy for what you get. Gas mileage could improve but if you want power you got the right SUV!

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  Best suv that money can buy - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By andrey & molly - May 4 - 5:20 pm

  we moved from FL to IN with 2 RWD cars and my wife wanted another SUV for the winter. we also have a 96 Pathfinder with 145K miles.....NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. the natural choice was another pathfinder....but to be fair, we looked at all others and compared. 4Runner, Explorer, Xterra, Trailblazer, etc. Only the Xterra came close. We chose the Pathfinder because of the extra room and could not be more happy. She offers to drive everywhere....ITS LIKE I GOT A CHAUFFER!!!!

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  love the titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By matrix - May 4 - 3:16 pm

  Titan has great power which is very noticeable when wanting to make that quick on ramp sprint. The ride is good as long as the road is smooth. I recommend getting the off road package well worth the money. The interior is great ergonomically but the materials used on the dash,center shift console, and the seats are of inferior quality. Handling seems to be superior to other trucks according to truck trend, which by the way gave the titan 2005 truck of the year. Dont let the numbers full you though, the titan will pull just as good as the hemi or the 5.4 triton. Hope this was helpful and hope that maybe you will become a titan owner.

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  What a kick!! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By new grandma - May 4 - 2:30 pm

  I am so surprised at the zip, fantastic interior. Be careful when you push on the gas pedal, it will surprise you. Nissan does not reimburse for handicapped equipment and I almost did not buy it for that reason. They need to get in the real world with all the other auto companies reimbursing up to $1000. for handicapped installs. Love my car

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  This Is a Workhorse - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Wolfden1 - May 4 - 2:03 pm

  I have owned SUVs in the past and all have paled in comparison. Fortunately, I have not had the brake problem that I have read about in the reviews. The power this truck has is incredible.

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  A nice surprise - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By rafman4 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Very nice minivan. Drives with a performance feel. Nimble steering, good cornering. Good acceleration. Sporty ride. Interior design is superb in terms of comfort, legroom. Fold down seats are great. Center column with all controls took about two days of getting used to but now its very usable and I even prefer it. Does not look like other minivans. Thats a plus!!!!!!

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  Quest Again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By re-Quest - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Best automobile I have ever had. This is my 2nd Quest minivan. When I went to buy a new car I didnt even consider anything but a Quest. It is quiet, easy to handle, comfortable, lots of space. Of course the gas mileage isnt that great but after all it is a minivan BUT I think the gas mileage is better than most minivans on the market.

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  Recommend!! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By tgoldny - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I highly recommend this vehicle!! I have owned my Murano for 7 months now and have not one complaint yet and I am a tough customer in the automotive business. I can actually go on a roadtrip with my family and noone is fighting for the front seat,rear seats recline and have plenty of leg room!!! It is really fun to drive,has great power and great space, very functional plus luxurious.

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  Fun Car for Adults - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By GrooveTheory - May 4 - 10:00 am

  While the rest of the car makers are making these big, bulky SUVs that can practically have your whole neighborhood carpool with you. The makers of the Nissan Murano had one thing in their agenda - a simple, sleek and chick SUV. Its made for people who loves to drive and have fun while doing it. Its a necessity for most of us, but were forgetting that its an extension of our personality too. I know when I saw the Murano ... I saw me. Fun and stylish! All the knick-knacks that came with it was just too fabulous for words. The drive is smooth like buttah (thanks Barbra!).

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  Go titan!!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By charlesc - May 4 - 10:00 am

  the first time i drove the titan i was amazed with the instant acceleration. i was also very impressed with the titans interior space. overall it it best truck for the dollar!