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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  Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder - 2011 Nissan Cube
  By 3andg - September 19 - 6:56 pm

  We purchased this car as a third car for commute purposes. The styling is polarizing - my wife loves it, I hate it. Regardless of the style, the car is a paragon of packaging efficiency - lot of room in a small package. The car moves well and keeps up with traffic on both the city and highway. The car is very smooth, but there is a tradeoff in handling due to the smooth ride and tall structure. The S has very useful comfort features standard - including bluetooth and iPod connection. Up to about 70 mph, the car is pretty quiet; however, there is a noticeable increase in noice after 70. This is a great car if one needs a practical commuter car.

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  Awesome Little Truck! - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By Ty - September 19 - 9:09 am

  I bought my 2011 Nissan Frontier Pro4X used with 64k on it. It came with a certified used warranty from the dealership. I had a 2005 Chevy 1 Ton with Bose sound system. I traded that beast in for this tough little truck. I got in this truck and as soon as I hooked up my iPhone to the stereo I was sold. This truck has a factory sub under the back seat. What! Wow. And it is a Rockford Fosgate. It blew my Bose away. Then the ride, comfort and trim. Wow. It looks so good. All black. No chrome. Took it 4 Wheelin. Posy all tires. No slip. Like a caterpillar. Wow. The engine is tough. Powerful and lots of torque. Will pull 6,800 pounds. The only thing I can complain about is that it doesnt shift fast enough from R to D. Some times it hesitates. I googled this and it is typical for this truck. I am very happy with this machine! I do not see myself getting rid of it any time soon.

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  Best in Class for Style, Value, Coolness - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By morganhil - September 19 - 3:32 am

  I approached the purchase of a new crossover SUV with a very open mind. In fact, I had a slight preference to buy an American car. After looking at the combination of price, value, style and reliability, I went with the Nissan Rogue SV with SL package. It is fun to drive, and has a Sports feature for when you are going on a pleasure drive that will help you negotiate curves and hills more like a sporty car. I bought it fully loadeds with the SL package and so I have the camera that is so useful when backing up, a great BOSE sound system, XM radio, sunroof, navigation, 18 inch chrome wheels and the great CVT transmission that is standard. For a price of $25740, it is a great deal!

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  didnt due enough homework - 2013 Nissan Frontier
  By budelman - September 18 - 10:03 pm

  Driving truck under 60 mph rides very nice , have to check speed as dont realize your going 60, at 70 mph have to have two hands on steering wheel to keep in the lane, at 80 mph need two fisted death grips to keep vehicle on road feels like driving in hurricane vehicle all over the road, Interior plastic or vinyl scraches too easy pernament scuffs marks just from work boots only 2 weeks old and notice blemishes on back plastic bed wall, although its not possible looks like sun damage, Engine while driving is always shifting gears and speeding up on its own. I have a commercail A license and have driven every type of vehicle you can think of tractor trailer to bucket trucks,. I usally get g

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  Love it but now getting worried - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By grvqn - September 18 - 8:57 pm

  Now hitting my 6th year with 60K and here are my problems, my sun visor on the driver side is broken, CD player doesn’t play CD’s anymore, back windows don’t roll up (when I don’t really use them, but the time I do now I have a problem). My driver side door I’m now having problems of it locking and unlocking. Now I have to double check my door before walking away… What else can go wrong.

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  What Fun! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Sima Z. - September 18 - 5:06 pm

  This was the most awsome birthday present ever. Every morning when I put the ket in the ignition its like my birthday all over again. I love driving and of all the cars Ive ever driven this one has been the most fun. It handles beautifuly in any driving conditions and i feel like a superstar driving it because of its hot looks. Thanks Nissan!

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  2004 Quest SL - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By cgregory - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I love the styling both inside and out, the controls were a little awkward at first but quickly got used to them, its really agreat place for the gauges, Performance is excellent ant its a real head turner, I get more comments on it than any vehicle I have ever owned including Mustangs and Muscle cars. My only complaint is that it is hard to back into a parking spot straight, there is nothing straight on the van to use as a reference

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  NISSAN STYLE - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By jude - September 18 - 10:00 am

  THIS SUV GIVE GOOD PERFORMANCE STYLE IT HAS NICE LOOK TO IT INSIDE AND OUT THE RIDE IS FUN TO DRIVE IT HAS VERY GOOD POWER AND HANDLING

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  japanese muscle - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By D Edwards - September 18 - 10:00 am

  awesome truck lots of room and power.

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  King Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By CalGal - September 18 - 10:00 am

  We bought a Titan last spring and immediately drove it halfway across the country to Vegas. It rides like a sports car, looks like a million bucks, sounds mean as hell, and on top of all of that gives fair gas mileage. Id suggest getting a tonneau cover to bring up the mpg a bit. Im looking forward to our next long trip in it. Theres not many other vehicles Id say that about.