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:

• 

  2004 basic titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By igmeister - March 1 - 2:00 am

  we went to the dealer on a thursday night after spending about two years waiting to buy a new truck. at this point it feels like divine intervention because our prayers were answered in the new nissan titan.the titan delivers an excellent base model truck, that is a real truck. the sheer power of the titan is only matched by the design ergomatics and comfort of the interior. this is pure heaven to drive and to ride in.

• 

  Best Car I ever Bought - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By tiswicked - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I ever bought. Fast, Sexy and reliable!!! what more can you ask for.

• 

  Maxima,to the max and beyond - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By warrior - March 1 - 2:00 am

  A tremendously fun vehicle to drive.Great handling,sports car feel,ride a little stiff, until youve driven a little,really holds the road well.steering and car go where you aim it.A really well built car for the money."Really happy with my purchase.Love that sports car feel,great mileage as well as comfort.thanks Nissan

• 

  maxima - 1 year later - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By lmahler127 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  One year after purchase, my vehicle is as it was when I drove it out if the dealership. It has excellent performance, good fuel economy, is very reliable and fun to own and drive. The body style gets frequent comments about its attractive appearance.

• 

  2009 Nissan Murano - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Tranpq - February 29 - 1:43 pm

  Only one month ago, my wife and I just bought the 2009 Murano with full loaded options. We are so impressed with this vehicle. The interior looks no less then any other crossover luxury AWD like Lexus or Infiniti, the exterior looks so rock and handsome, its performances are superior with a smooth traction control. My wife and I, we both are Infiniti lovers, but this time we would rather choose this Murano instead of the Infiniti FX or the new EX just came out this year.

• 

  Big truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Smith - February 28 - 10:53 pm

  I found this rather large truck enjoyable to drive and handle.The power of its v8 is somthing to use with caution. This truck will rocket off the line with very little effort.

• 

  Great car - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Andrea - February 28 - 5:20 pm

  I had a 2004 Maxima and traded for the very stylish 2010. It has a little more up and go, plus I love the CVT. The only negative thing I have found is the computer screen. Even set at the lowest brightness for nighttime driving, it is too bright and therefore somewhat distracting. Everything else is great. I hope it will prove to be as reliable as my last Maxima.

• 

  Great on gas, Fun to drive, No repairs - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By nfast - February 28 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Nissan Car. We bought it used from the original owner when it had 135000 miles. It was just getting broke in. We havent had to do any repairs. Just normal maintanance, brakes, struts, tires, etc. Gets 38 on the highway at 70 mph. and no less than 33 in the city. Just change the oil and it will keep on running.

• 

  Incredible car. - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By harmonic - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this 1995 Maxima SE last month. Coming from a 1988 ford tempo, the 3.0 V6 engine with its impressive 190 horses was especially pleasing. Ive gotten to 100 mph at 5600 RPMs in 3rd gear. There is no question, this is the best V6 in any family car model of 1995. The only downside Ive had so far is the almost uncontainable urge to give the tremendously responsive V6 more than a tiny hint of pressure on the gas pedal and take off like a fighter jet in the middle of a busy street. Excellent features, attractive rear spoiler. Suspension is annoyingly stiff on bumpy straightaways, but it pleasingly effective on turns.

• 

  The best car in America - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By the nissanator - February 28 - 10:00 am

  there is nothing better than the maxima. It gives you a little bit of both worlds, the luxury and the performance. is the best car Ive ever owned. Nissan keep doing what youre doing, because in a couple of years Nissan is gonna be better than Honda and Toyota