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:

• 

  The Most Honest Car Review of 2015 - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Michael Williams - February 20 - 11:43 pm

  This car is a chariot of your dreams. The best ride in your life since well, KINGDA KA at Six Flags. The kind of car that when you get out people wonder if your a celebrity or really just good at your job. Thats it.

• 

  Best SUV - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By The Beast - February 20 - 4:06 pm

  Im not an SUV person. Ive always been a 2dr sports car man until I drove the 2006 Armada. Its the BOOM! It will blow away the average SUV and many other 2006 models without making the exhaust dual. (Duals are a waste of money and are very noisy. Be cool and pick up your babe in a nice and quiet Armada. If you need noise, go get a bike and clip on a few cards.

• 

  Luv it! - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Mark - February 19 - 3:40 pm

  Very fun and quick. The CVT trans is great - like a rocket blasting off - no hard shifting - nice and smooth. No bouncing, rattles or anything wrong for me.

• 

  I Love my 2004 Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Donna Harper - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I love almost everything about this vehicle. It is so different from other mini-vans. It is stylish,sleek, elegant,and modern, not your typical ugh van. It is beautiful and fun. The interior is roomy and well....only one word to describe it..COOL! It is fun to drive, handles extremely well, and has many great safety features. The only thing I would change about this van is give it more cargo room by splitting the back seat. I might also add a split bench seat in the center row. I know it has wonderful safety features, but I would be more comfortable with my grandson in the center of the center seats rather than against the door or in the very back.

• 

  GREAT SUV! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By laura9 - February 19 - 10:00 am

  2004 Murano SE is comfortable and great looking inside and out. Cargo area is very generous and easy to access. Rear seat design is elegant and easy to adjust for comfort and cargo access. Entrance and driver comfort & controls are extensive and well planned. Premium Bose System sounds great. Light color cloth interior is cooler in the summer and very comfortable. Dashboard design is easy & intuitive to learn & use, steering wheel controls convenient.

• 

  A Real Sweetheart - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By steve j - February 19 - 9:53 am

  incredible performance that easily outshines the competition. I currently have 2200 miles and car runs and rides great. Only minor problem is the rear door locks have been sticking. Im 62", and there is plenty of room ,and great features. I drive a lot, and a power lumbar support would have been nice.

• 

  written by Alex on 10 /08 - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Mountain Man - February 19 - 6:30 am

  Had an 05 Off Road, Never had a problem,after 56K and several trips to ski in Colorado, traded it in for a 08 LE V8 very happy, great acceleration, good handling, love the audio system its fully loaded back-up camera, fuel etc. so far is better then on my V6 was. In city driving average 15m/g. Very happy with it.

• 

  Best family 4x4 ever! - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By hatchy4 - February 18 - 8:32 pm

  Picked up my 2008 Pathfinder SE with Premium package only 42Ks on it, drove 134km from home to get the best deal, the drive back was a real pleasure, mixed road conditions, snow, freezing rain, the works, and the Pathfinder handled it easily. All the instrument features are intuitive and extremely eay to use, no need to reference the owners manual. Dual climate control and heated seats are fantastic the lcd screen is a great size to view all the information. Really for how much kit you get its great value for your money, full side curtain airbags and Active head restraints, considered an LR3 but am extremely glad I went with the Pathfinder, the build quality is superior inside and out!

• 

  Nismo Hellion - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Orange Hellion - February 18 - 2:36 pm

  I am a previous 89 Maxima SE owner (still running with 210K miles son has it) and thought the down grade would make me miss the Maxima. This was not the case, I now have better performance and fuel economy (avg 29.5) and when I purchased it I added two tone black/orange leather. The NISMO cat back and cold air intake were worthy investments the performance increase with these put me now at 95/99 Maxima numbers (184 Hp@ 4k rpm and 195 ft/lbs @ 4K). The leather upgrade gave it a very upscale look to. Thanks to the guys at Maxwell Town North Nissan for making it all happen at a great price.

• 

  Hardcore - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By William - February 18 - 11:36 am

  I have owned nissans for years. I owned an 04 Armada and loved it. I purchased my 08 and love the new dash and interior. The new truck is a smoother ride than the 04, but I liked the stiffness of the 04 when it comes to hard cornering. The power lift gate is the bomb!!! I had 60K on my 04 without any major problems. Great improvement on the seat support.