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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  Excellent Ride - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By teenie194 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  The only complaint I have is about the gas mileage.

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  I love my maxima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By A Nissan Fan - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Great car, fun to drive and great engine! I have 38500k on my 02 SE and am very happy with it. Bridgestone tires are not good in wet weather, but it doesnt rain in socal! Handles great! SE sticks to the road like glue during cornering. The car is quick and nimble for its size and weight. Bose stereo is overrated (it has a tape player in it, who owns tapes?)This car is a blast to drive on hills and curves, especially when you are passing bmrs and acuras!

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  THE BEST MINIVAN ON EARTH!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By questlover - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Like most people i did extensive research before dediding to purchase this piece of perfection. I drove the siena and the odessy and they both perfomed very well, but they lack the styling and charisma that this quest has. The leather is much like the comforts of home and the fact i can slide 4 by 8 sheets of goods for my home improvement projects. I really couldnt ask for much more in a minivan

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  Lots of Rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By mjcp - January 31 - 5:26 am

  Love the style, room, etc., but hate the rattles.

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  Great Car also very nice looking - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By Wiseguy - January 31 - 2:26 am

  I bought this car two years ago, with about 85000 miles on it, and the only maintenance I did on the car was to change the oil. The car is so smooth, like it just came out of the factory. If it wasnt for the dashboard, you would think it is a new car. Accelaration so smooth, highway driving is amazing, the only down side is when you make american stops the automatick transmission stays on second gear. Other than that it is a great car.

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  fun - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Hoooper - January 30 - 6:43 am

  Great car that is fun and reliable. enough power to get you anywhere, yet smooth enough to sit in traffic

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  Love the Altima - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Nathan - January 30 - 3:20 am

  I bought my Altima on lease through the great lease special that was on the Altima. Its been a great car. I love the huge trunk, audio controls on the steering wheels and I can squeal tires with the 4-cylinder. That is crazy. I love the features for the price.

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  This SE-R made me a car lover - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By icingdeath88 - January 29 - 4:16 pm

  I bought this car after popping into the dealership to check out the Altimas. Once I found out that the Sentra had zero-percent and came in the SE-R style I was all over it. A year later, this car has made me a car lover, because I never before realized how fun it could be just to drive. Also, it out-paces my friends highly modded Mazda3 hatch. Cant put a price on that. My wife and I like this car so much were getting her a 2007 one.

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  Just purchased - initial reactions - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Ryan - January 28 - 7:36 am

  Id been casually shopping for a 2003-2005 Xterra for a few months. I really prefer the body style of the 2005-2009s so Ive been looking for one within my budget. Now that I have it, I couldnt be happier. I read a lot of reviews on the model so had a good idea of what to expect. The "get up and go" is fantastic. Im coming from driving a VW GTI, so I needed something with a little "oomph" that I was used to. I really like all of the clever compartments throughout the car (2 glove boxes, roof rack storage box, floor storage compartment under hatch bed, etc.). If you have a lot in your car, It helps to stay clean and organized.

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  this is the coolest vehicle ever - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By wolfy - January 28 - 5:16 am

  Fuel economy for me with a fwd has been a consistet 22-23mpg. Not sure what others are saying about cvt sluggish in traffic, as when stomping on the gas you could get whiplash...awesome get up and go. ALso a very smooth ride with great handling ,not to mention a gorgeous vehicle. In my 25 years of driving and after 15,000 miles on my murano, this vehicle is an A ++ !