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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  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Andy - September 12 - 9:46 pm

  Ive had this car since 07 and put 42K on it. Theres never been a single problem. This is one of the best cars I have ever had. I tested the other hybrids and this one has more room and comfort. The ride is silky smooth with an excellent blend between ride and handling. Long trips are not fatiguing. Acceleration due to the electric motor boosting output to almost 200 hp is excellent.

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  Murano_best all wheel drive Ive owned - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By robbie - September 12 - 10:00 am

  The week I picked my Murano we had a big snow storm. When I pressed the all wheel drive switch and backed out of my parking space I met a huge 18" wall of snow left by the snow plow. I plowed right through it with ease. The SUV is as good as any 4 wheel drive Ive ever owned. I have been driving 4 wheel drives since 1969. I have owned aleast 9, 4 wheel drives from CJ Jeeps To Toyota 4runners

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  My Rano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By tbartz - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this SUV with the exception of the following. The type of leather they used on the seats is very dry...its not soft or suptle, it is however durable, and great for kids. I also dont care for the drink holders in the front, nor do I care for the styling of the grill....The Infinity FX -35 & 45 are much better.

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  best damn car i ever owned - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By ringer - September 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best i get so many compliments drives great very comfortable handles excellent highspeed lane all the way baby cheap interior plastic what the hell are you people looking at try looking inside a boring camry give me this car anyday over honda or toyota by the way ever look at the back of a honda accord ugly also as far as honda and toyota go know two people had to replace transmissions inthere camrys dont believe the hype go with the altima.

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  Finally! A Good Car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Denise - September 12 - 8:53 am

  I just purchased my Altima and I love it. I love the way it handles, the interior is really nice also. I test drove the Hyundai and the Kia Optima and you cant compare them to the Altima. Forget the Toyota Camry unless you like an old lady looking car.

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  40,000 miles in 1.5yrs - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By jrw1621 - September 12 - 1:10 am

  We purchased the Versa for my wife about 1.5 years ago and it already has 40,000 miles on it. The plan was for a reliable economical car that we could load the miles onto. We are very happy with the Versa. We shopped everything in the "Scion Class" of vehicles but found the Versa to offer the nicest interior, quietest ride and best highway manners of anything in the class. In 40k miles it has needed nothing more than regular oil changes and is showing no signs of wear. I think i will even get 60k miles out of the original tires with proper tire rotation.

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  Love this car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By cward74 - September 11 - 12:03 pm

  This car is awesome for such a price. Is extremely fun to drive with good acceleration and handling. Car looks very sporty and has drawn many compliments. At 55k miles in the two years we have owned it, there has been no issues mechanically. Just bought new tires which is the first money into the car other than normal maintenance. The things I would like to change are the touchy brakes that can catch quicker than expected in comparison to other vehicles Ive driven and result in some jerky stopping once in a while. Also, could use a little more room in the car, but cant complain as anybody buying the car knows this when buying it.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Nissan 350Z
  By Roodi - September 11 - 8:56 am

  Beautiful car, very athletic handling and performance. I have leather, navigation and bluetooth. This car exceeded my expectations.

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  What an awesome vehicle! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Boomer77 - September 10 - 5:23 pm

  There are very, very few vehicles that make you actually stop and stare--and then back up and take a long, slow walk around it, but the Nissan Armada made me do just that the first time I saw one in the commuter parking lot near my home. If you havent seen one of these beauties yet, do yourself a favor and head down to the dealership just to look at one! The announcement on the loud speaker will be, "Mop and bucket to Aisle 1!" simply because youll be drooling so much! Its very hard to appreciate the feeling that this vehicle provided--youll have to experience it for yourself! Although I have not been fond of Nissans in the past, they win this time!

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  Third Maxima for me - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By dcowan - September 10 - 4:00 pm

  The 2005 Maxima is my third, and its the best of the three so far (1998 GXE, 2001 SE 20th Ann, 2005 SE 5A). The good: Roomy, comfortable, quick off the line, decent gas mileage, awesome sound system, dont need to take a headroom-eliminating sunroof, very quiet ride. The bad: its slippy in the snow - snow tires seem to be required and that means great expense, back seat not great for tall friends due to roof slope.