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 - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By tiki - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Best car that I have hade in a long time. Fun to drive, and is fast.

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  Spec V - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By KDAL523 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  great car for the money, torque is the best part of the car

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  It is magic! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By The Magic Man - July 27 - 10:00 am

  This Armada is all that and a bag of chips. The safty, Performance, and Design is right on the money. You sit high but it is not a soft ride. You dont sway side to side. The power is not like any SUV I have ever been in. From top to bottom it is a well built and Designed SUV. GOOD JOB NISSAN.

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  The Harrelsons Review - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By harrelsonjh - July 27 - 10:00 am

  We owned a 2000 Xterra for year and a half, when my husband total it and he wasnt even hurt. So we decided that we were getting another Xterra, but this time we wanted to upgrade to a 4X4. WE LOVE OUR XTERRA!!!!!!!!!!

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  Comfort + - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Dagmar - July 27 - 10:00 am

  The "cross-over" height is just right. I have arthritis and it is so easy for me to slide in and out of the driver seat. I took it on a 7 hour trip after I purchased it. I was comfortable all the way. This is the best vehicle I have ever driven. It is a smooth, quiet ride. (I only have 1700 miles on it) The size is not much larger than the Honda LX sedan I drove which was too low to the ground for me. It parks easily in the garage; it turns easily. All in all I rate it excellent even though I just bought it! Ramy at Power Nissan in Laguna Niguel gives great service!

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  better minivan not best one - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Sid1 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  ABCd

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  You must owne one - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By usmc0919 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  There are no words to discrive this van is just the perfect vehicle.My wife gets home from a long day at the office and she sits in the van for a good 30 to 45 minutes, I have to go outside a couple of times to get her to come inside the house.Im glad the car was for my use,I have only driven the car once since we purchased it,but I dont care she and I are very happy and I recomend this car to any person out there that is looking both for confort and luxury.Thank you Nissan

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  Nice Van for a Mini Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By lockshop - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I love this van. It does everything I need it to do and then some.

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  LOOKING GOOD - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By PENMAN777 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  AND I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME WHO NOTICED THE HORRIBLE TURNING RADIUS, MENTIONED MANY TIMES.

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  Fuel Gauge Problem - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Nissan Rogue 2010 - July 27 - 8:10 am

  Fuel gauge is totally inaccurate. Fuel gauge does not move until you drive 100 to 140 miles. Moves two notches at 240 miles. Nissan, on two occasions, tried to fix. Nothing changed. Nissan Fix Hot line stated that this is a "normal condition and no further repairs can be made" Forwarding to NJ Lemon Law.