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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  Bought this for my wife, she loves it! - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By DW - November 6 - 9:10 am

  My wife is in love with this car. I got this for her as a surprise and did not go wrong. I am jealous because I drive a Montana mini-van. The Murano is the best car I have ever owned and a fantastic value. CVT is a smooth driving experience. I am 62 and love the leg and hip room.

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  The Rogue Rocks - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By ssaunder - November 6 - 6:36 am

  The first thing to get used to is the CVT. Since there are no actual gears to run through, you do not realize your speed. The fit and finish is superbly Nissan. The drivers seat feels like a cockpit. The seat height is perfect to feel off the road and in command. Love the satellite radio. The bluetooth was the first thing we configured, then the homelink. Nice features in this sub-30K vehicle. Feels very luxurious in SL with all options.

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  Sentra - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By John Mevalani - November 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is so reliable, surprising power, fuel economic (twin cams). this car is also very underrated (as good or even better than a civic which is also overrated).

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  not bad, definite room for improvement - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By cxk - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable and awesome engine, now for the negatives. I know Nissan was having financial problems in the mid to late 90s and it showed in its cars. Very dissapointing handling. The car sits up way to high and whats with the solid beam rear axle(you generally find that in entry level cheap cars).The only other negative is the very cheap looking cloth seats.

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  Great Lil Truck - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By ATG - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Has been a great little work horse. Have hauled "lots of materials in it. Really fun to drive! Get a lot of comments about its looks!

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  Maxima is the best! - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Obeone Konobe - November 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car ever! It is fast, sleek, and beautiful! Ours is an SE silver exterior with a black leather interior. Its BOSE stereo system rocks the town! Everyone loves the car and gives me commpliments where ever I go!! It is built tough and it holds in an accident!

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  new car - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By norrisgray - November 6 - 2:00 am

  new, but very good so far.

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  Looked them all over - this is the one - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By budmandoq - November 6 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have tried many 2003 SUVs and cars - from the GMC Envoy, to the Infinity G35, from the Bonneville to the Cadillac CTV, from the Jeep Legend to the Toyota Highlander. True, were not "off roaders" and we like our creature comforts. By far, the Murano SL with Leather and Premium packages and Traction control, was the best ride, the best feel of quality, and the best overall match of "THE vehicle" we wanted. Not to mention it looks great. Highly recommended. And contrary to some other posters views on economics, we consider even MSRP list as cheap for this vehicle. Thanks Nissan! We love it.

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  Road Noise-Help Me!! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Peter Jagodzinski - November 5 - 4:50 pm

  I love looking at my Altima, and I love sitting in it but I hate driving it. Is that a problem? The road noise is so evident especially on a wet surface but also on a dry surface. I only have 1200 miles on the car. When I am on a concrete highway doing 70 mph the noise is deafening. And when it is wet outside it sounds like I am in the rinse cycle of a carwash. This is my first Nissan.

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  Excellent value for money - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By thgeary - November 5 - 2:16 pm

  The car is awesome overall - very, very smart indeed, nippy/fast around town, but engine is geared low (hence the nippiness) so it revs high on freeway - 4k rpm for 80 mph - sounds like youre in a washing machine. backseat leg room is inexplicably huge - really - even for two 66" men sitting tandem its huge. The inside materials are surprisingly good. gas mileage so far is 34 freeway, 30 commute (mix). So thats fine. The front-on view is pretty ugly, it has to be said, but I rarely see it, so i dont care. manual transmission is fun but notchy - this is no sports car (you knew that already though) Excellent value for money - 11.4k with destination, before tax etc. cant be beat.