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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  2001 Nissan Altima SE - Nicest SE ever - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By CARLOS - April 11 - 10:00 am

  The reason I bought an altima is because they made an SE. I think that if this model wouldnt have came out right now I would probably be driving something else. So far I have put 7600 miles on the car and it runs great. I recommend this car to anyone who would like to own a luxury sport sedan.

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  Unbelievable! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By shaqintyre - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the appearance of this vehicle months before it was available. As soon as I test drove one, I knew I had to purchase it. Every one of my friends has an Accord, Camry, etc. But I wanted something different and much more exciting. VALUE, ROOM, SPEED, GAS MILEAGE, & GOOD LOOKS, this car definitely has it all!

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  Great Crossover - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By B. Drubin - April 11 - 2:23 am

  What caught my eye was its exterior appearance. I was sold when I got into it and test drove it. Ive had it for almost 1 year and I love it. We also own a 2002 Cadillac Deville DHS which we love. The Murano although much higher is almost an equal to our Caddy on the highway. Road handling is great, the acceleration is wonderful, its comfortable, it has very good cargo space. Its easy to get in & out, has great features.

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  2005 Pathfinder LE "Awesome SUV" - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By kuryakin46 - April 10 - 8:53 pm

  Have the 2001 pathfinder LE 4x4,love it and still have it. I have the 2005 pathfinder LE since dec. 15, 2004 and it is awesome driving it. Powerful top 10 rated 270hp VQ engine is very smooth and a lot of power to give when passing. The growling engine sound make me even enjoy driving this suv. Leather seats are very much will designed and comfortable. Lot of cargo room when third row seats were fold flat into the floor. Third row seats is good enough for average size people for a short haul. Storage is more, specially for cd and dvd. Console and instrument panel layout was given very much attention in detail to my opinon. Sound system is superior with 9 speakers. Overall it is awesome.

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  Outstanding So Far - 2011 Nissan Leaf
  By jsgenc - April 9 - 9:56 pm

  Just picked up my Leaf a few days ago and Ive put several 100 miles on it already. Im hooked. Its a remarkable car in many ways. Quiet, smooth, surprisingly powerful and nimble, and cool as all heck. It is not a toy or part-time car by any stretch of the imagination. So long as you understand its limitations, you will use it all the time. I rarely drive more than 80 to 100 miles in a day so it is perfect for me and my familys needs. Its excellent for commuting to work. It is great for running errands and schleping kids around. If you are someone who regularly drives more than 80 to 100 miles per day, do not get a Leaf. If not, check it out now.

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  2005 Murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Richard Gerhard - April 9 - 6:46 pm

  Fun to drive, mostly a well thought out vehicle. Would be nice to have auto driving lights and wipers that you can easily clean around. Love the remote entry, inteligent key feature. The CVT transmission is nice, seems to be plenty of power and very smooth. Being a truck / SUV guy, this is as close to a "car" as I want to get. Has been a good purchase.

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  Great Sporty Car! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By krismuszynski - April 9 - 2:47 pm

  Previously had an 07 2.5 Altima Sedan and LOVED it but wanted something sportier after a year of owning it. Lived up to exactly what its built to be, a front wheel drive sporty car! First trip was to North Carolina in the first week of owning the car, averaged between 70-75mph on the eight hour trip from Florida (may have given it the beans a few times on the hwy as well) and had a 31mpg rating both ways to and from NC. Decided to give the suspension a work out on the mountain roads of Pisgah national forest. The car handled beautifully! The ride is TIGHT though, dont expect a soft ride in the SE package. It is made to be sporty! Loved the car and would only change the turning radius.

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  The 2005 Nissan Frontier - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Emily - April 9 - 12:33 pm

  This is the best truck I think I will ever own. My boyfriend has a 2000 Nissan Frontier, and all of our friends have variouse year model Frontiers and we all love them. We will keep these trucks after we get newer Nissans as a second vehicle for whatever purpose it may be needed for. We will own nothing other than a Nissan.

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  Gasline - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By By2 - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Engine performance and quality comfort ride. Good edition spare tires located underneath provides good handling, powerful efficient torque. Smooth ride and easy to handle, whether off and on the road. A fighter for the Japanese engine makers with sytlish audio of the American fervor. A better tandem deal with the 4 Runners.

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  A vehicle unlike any other - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By jdiffy - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this 2004 Quest for several months now and have nothing but praise for this vehicle. The center console takes a few days to get used to but actually feels like it belongs centrally located. After reading several website reviews on this vehicle, I think some members testdriving these cehicles need to own the van before speaking. This is SERIOUS departure from the norm in design, but it all works well in the end. Some reviewers seem to have a problem with the new design of this van. I am not one of these people.