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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  No More F150s - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Stephen Hailey - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I will make this simple. The interior is huge. I am 65" and fit in here easily with a grown man sitting behind me. The truck accelerates very quickly, shifts smooth and gets great gas mileage. The 6 disc changer delivers studio quality sound and the ride quality rivals most full size sedans. Also, road noise does not exist, it is quiet. Now for one important thing...price. I bought this truck $3500 cheaper than a comparably equipped Ford F150 supercrew. Ford has been #1 in my book and many others for years, but I firmly believe that it is time for a new leader.

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  Zoom Zoom - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By FredericM - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Best Z Car Made. I have owned 4 pervious Z Cars and by far this is the BEST.

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  excellent - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By deanna romero - July 11 - 2:00 am

  NISSAN DID EXCELLENT JOB, DESIGNING THE 2004 MAXIMA, I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT, I GET ALOT OF LOOKS FROM PEOPLE, WONDER WHAT CAN OF CAR IT IS. DESIGN OUT BEATS, SOME OF THE TOP LUXARY CARS. CANNOT NOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT MY CAR.

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  2004 Maxima review - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By silver - July 11 - 2:00 am

  great looking automobile perf is great interior is spaceous and detailed nicely standard sky lights a real plus trunk is extra spaceous enjoy having audio controls in steering wheel heated steering and seats a plus plus in cold weather electric everything

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  Great Auto Purchase - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Pofied - July 11 - 2:00 am

  2004 Maxima SL Ordered this car with options that I wanted and with the car is the best that I have purchased in many years. No complaints and very satisfied.

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  CVT Technology and the 2011 Maxima SV - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By labower - July 10 - 2:17 pm

  The 2011 Maxima SV is an overall great car. Not only is the sports sedan great for people with kids who just cant bring themselves to travel around in a minivan, but it handles well, gets great gas mileage, and makes driving less of a chore and more of an adventure. Really, I love to find an excuse, any excuse, to drive this car. And it has plenty of room in the trunk for groceries, and for my large dog (who has not quite gotten used to the fact that we no longer have a hatchback vehicle and she cant just ride in there). I dont know how I survived without a dual sunroof, heated and cooled seats, or a heated steering wheel. And the pickup...when you press the gas, it GOES.

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  I love my Nissan - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By snowhound - July 9 - 10:00 am

  Nissan makes a great vehicle for a great price. The Vehicle does well overall in the rocks, dirt, snow, and pavement, as well as a 4 wheel drive can do without a locking differential. The performance is fantastic for its size and cost. The only problem I have had run into is with the airconditioning unit leaking out of an O ring. Factory warranty covered it. Unfortunately SUVs are getting uglier and uglier every year. I will not look forward to upgrading.

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  The best of the best - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Happy PF Owner - July 9 - 10:00 am

  Traded my lousy ML320 for a new Pathfinder and love it. This is the best SUV out there and for the price. Ive looked at them all, and the only comparison would be a BMW X5. Save the money on an Infiniti and consider the Pathfinder. Same thing.

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  POCKET ROCKET - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By NissanSER - July 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best bang for the buck out there. I have raced and beaten the following in my $16K SpecV: Audi A4 1.8T/2.6, V6 Mustang, most Mercedes Benz, Acura RSX, Acura Integra GSR, VW GTI 1.8T/2.6, VW Beetles, Neon R/T, Chevy Z24, BMW 323/325/328, Ford f150, etc. etc. etc. the list goes on and on. This car looks like an econobox but flies like an M3. You dont see too many on the road. HONDA BEWARE!

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  own - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By vik - July 9 - 10:00 am

  great all features good drive good handle around curves good acceleration speed tight curves big breates