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 Vehicle - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Quest Lover - August 26 - 11:40 pm

  The Quest is a Minivan which is, when you think about it, a TRUCK. I did not buy a car, this is not a Lexus and I do not expect it to be one. Since May of 04 I have put 7600 miles on it. I drove to Disney from NJ with three children and my wife. We were all very comfortable and driving at 60miles per hr and got 30 miles to the gallon. .. Go above 75 and yes the mileage drops. This van is fast, handles great and looks cool too. Everything works. A few rattles yes. Again this is a VAN and has huge panels of sheet metal. My friend had the Honda Odyssey. He said the Honda had more rattles than Ebenezers ghosts and the Quest had way more interor room. The standard safety items and awsome engine sold me.

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  Not a Yuppie SUV - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Al K - August 26 - 7:33 pm

  The Xterra is an awesome SUV. It took a few days to get use to the F-ALPHA truck frame but wow what a smooth ride. The acceleration from a dead stop or merging into traffic is no problem. Took a corner at 40 MPH and the Xterra did not even lean.

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  Timeless look - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By Fkz32 - August 26 - 10:00 am

  I drive a 96 NA 225hp and love the design, solid build, and interior. The handling and suspension is great. Only minus is the braking on this car versus others in its class.

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  Great car - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By Jerzy Banasiak - August 26 - 10:00 am

  I own Nissan Sentra GXE for 4 years and had no problems so far. The qaulity is great.

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  Great! - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By fred55 - August 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a sturdy SUV with great quality.

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  Gladiator of the Road - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Maximas Meridius - August 26 - 10:00 am

  For the price you pay for the car, it really makes it worth every penny you paid for the car. The bonus is that you are driving something that is almost in the realm of the 3-series or the C-class. Not too many are out there in this price range that exists. Like the General Maximus (aka Maximas) those can try to ignore its existence, but in the end it will win back its rightful place in the automotive world.

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  A great value - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By jsko - August 26 - 10:00 am

  As a tall person, there is plenty of leg room for me and the person sitting in back of me. I traded in a 92 Camry for this. The new Camry does not have the legroom of the Altima. Love the design of the car. Lots of pickup for a 4 cylinder car. Getting 27-29 mpg highway.

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  Great Truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Mike - August 26 - 7:06 am

  I looked at all the Mid sized trucks, no better bang for the buck in the Frontier. Toyota would have been at least 6k more and who wants an 11 MPG dakota, an thats it in the mid-sized market. All that aside I love this truck! drives great fun to drive. absolutely no complaints. if your looking BUY ONE.

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  Very, very good minivan - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By DJS - August 25 - 9:33 pm

  Compared this vehicle to the new Honda and Toyota Sienna. We liked the exterior styling; the huge interior; foldaway second row seats; big side doors; outstanding engine/transmission setup; excellent manueverability and road holding for a minivan.

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  Best midsize SUV - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By jj - August 25 - 11:40 am

  Fun vehicle to drive and a real head turner. Average highway gas mileage is 25 to 26, town is 21. As usual with Nissan, pick it up in the showroom, return it in 36 months,....no repairs in between!!