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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  My Nissan - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Peter Odgen stiers - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I just adore my 2001 Nissan Maxima as well as my wifes Nissan Pathfinder. We love our cars a hole lot excpecaily mine.

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  Not Quite a Performance Sedan - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By DavidHB,CA - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Mileage remains 24mpg consistantly. Stock Toyo tires changed at 60000. They were spongy, a lot of slip angle, lot of understeer, and not good for aggressive turning. Brake disks are warped. Pulsing during stops. Handling is a disappointment. Stock shocks are terrible. Too soft in front. Rear shocks bottomed out at 25000 on small bumps. Body roll in turns is unacceptable. No sway bar in the rear? What we they thinking at Nissan! Blind spots: All pillars are too wide and exterior mirrors are too small.

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  the best veichle of 2003 - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Monet86 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  The nissan murano is the best suv out there on the market . I recommend this car out there for people who love to travel in style . This suv is a one of a kind and no other can top it.

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  Dynamite Vehicle - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By taxdoc - September 8 - 10:00 am

  The Murano is an absolute delight to drive, good mileage, luxury feel, comfort, good cargo space, everything!!

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  Love it - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Rudypanama - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed the car from day one. The provoking looks the car gets just makes it that much better. Sometimes I just love to sit are look at the car.

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  2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5SL - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By KarenS - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Absolutly love it! Truly a luxery car! Beautiful interior, lots of room, and lots of features. Wonderful leather interior, 6 CD changer with Bose speakers. Great highway car and in town too! Good gas mileage 27 to 29 mpg on the highway. The Sky roof is okay but I wish I had the sunroof option. Some of the controls take getting used to but I love all the features on the steering wheel. I owned a Camry and loved it for 12 years and the Maxima is a wonderful replacement. Both great vehicles but Im happy to be driving a 2004 Maxima!

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  Last Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By joe siudock - September 8 - 9:53 am

  Bought a 2005 Quest 3.5, last November. Drove it out of the lot and little radles started. Both side doors made numerous little sounds that would come and go. The seats were very comfortable on long trips over 1000 miles. Had to stop every 100 miles. Never buy cloth seats again. Just not up to Nissan quality. When I traded it in there were now sounds coming from the front doors. The dash in the middle needs to be larger and bigger button for the radio. Like the shifter up high really good taste.Great exterior with the modern front end. Need Altima back lights. Interior lighting was great. Drove like a full size car. My 17 year old daughter loved it when she went out with friends

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  Nice SUV, Very roomy and comfortable drive - 2014 Nissan Armada
  By tropo - September 8 - 9:29 am

  Got the truck from CarMax Nissan in MD. The truck is very comfortable to drive, and very roomy inside.

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  31,000 miles later.... - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Moneyman - September 8 - 6:03 am

  So any review after a few weeks is worthless. Finally 31k later, here we go...Overall I really like this car. Ive been averaging 29.8mpg in the winter (letting it run a little too). Thats most impressive. CVT is pretty fun to drive. Ive had a torque bolt tightened, I believe?, and the seat had a little wobble/click to it. Both fixed. There is the "popping noise that I hear at lights/after you shut it off. I will be asking about that next oil change, doesnt seem to effect anything. Overall a great car so far for mileage and comfort (Im 61" 220) just dont put your kids in the back too! Im not sure if its the tires, but they stink in the winter! My wife takes my truck! Would buy another

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  Drive it and youll buy it - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By RBs Titan - September 7 - 11:16 pm

  Love this truck. I was previous Toyota Tundra owner and Ford F150 before that so trucks are my choice vehicle. Have had no problems that stranded me in this truck and the dealer has made all warranty repairs in timely fashion. Being a first year and first release I can say that Nissan put in their time. Currently I have 28K and a few mods that have proven to out perform other makes and still maintain drivability.