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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  MURANO SL - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By MES38401@AOL.COM - June 11 - 10:00 am

  DRIVES GREAT, MORE LIKE A CAR. GAS MILEAGE HAS BEEN GOOD AND EVERYONE LOOKS AT YOU TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS!

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  Da BOMB !! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By SNOWBEAST - June 11 - 10:00 am

  After purchasing many new vehicles this is by far the most comfortable, best handling, smoothest driving, most versatile without sacrificing other qualities, sportiest looking vehicle I have ever driven. I cant say enough good things about it.

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  What a joy - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By jallen - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I was a loyal jeep owner until my last one started to cost to keep it up/ Went looking for a replacement and the Murano got my intrest. I would like to thank this review board because reading your reviews help me decide on owning a Murano. I enjoy driving my new Murano it has the power i was lacking for passing, the steering is like a sports car and the trans is great

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  Our new Murano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Chuckwagon108 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Just got back from a 4500 mile road trip in our new Murano, including crossing the Rockie Mountains twice, and enjoyed it alot. Tried a couple of tanks of premium fuel to see if the performance or mileage would vary, per the owners manual, and it didnt affect either. We did enjoy the ride, and the handling, a nice car.

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  great car... everyone should test drive - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By houman khaleeli - June 11 - 10:00 am

  it is an overall great car. it handles like a dream, and it has enought power to out perform almost all of the cars in its class

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  An amazing ride - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Eburt - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I picked up my 04 Max on 8/2 and am completely in awe of it - whether driving it or just looking at it in the driveway. Although I had preferred the 6-speed, the automatic has more than enough jump from a stop and the pick-up from 60-80 is equally impressive.

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  Fab Ride - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Judy Byerly - June 10 - 6:15 am

  This is my third Murano and I continue to love them. It handles well, great comfort and I feel so very safe in it.

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  6 Speed is The Way to Go - 2013 Nissan Juke
  By chalper - June 9 - 4:08 pm

  A manual Juke is a blast to drive. The clutch, shift linkage and synchos are top notch, and give a sport car feel to the vehicle.It handles well ( moderate lean on aggressive cornering) for a CUV, and the steering is quite quick and precise.Brakes have a good feel as well.There is little cargo area, with the seat up, but when I need to haul something, the seat quickly folds and it is adeqaute for normal Home Depot and Costco runs. If you want to tote a 4X8 sheet of plywood or an XMAS tree, get a truck.I wanted a sporty driving vehicle, with a little cargo capability (our BMW Convertible is no help there), so the little Juke is perfect. No CVT for me, it would spoil the Jukes character.

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  The Best Sedan of 2007-8 - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Siddharth Wartak - June 9 - 1:26 pm

  I was a Honda fan for many years and had Honda Accord. I thought of a change and was about to buy Camry. A friends recommendation led me to consider the all new 07 Altima. I went for a test drive and in the first minute I was thrilled to drive the 2.5 S. The power, the pick up, smoothness and CVT. I had made up my mind before I could get down. Never ever have I a loved a car so much. I dont feel like getting out of my Nissan and I take longer route to reach home late. I drove 600 miles on highway with full tank averaging 34 miles/gallon. After driving the CVT tech, driving my friends conventional cars with freq jerks of gear shift are no more a pleasure even with V6.

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  I love with my 05 Maxima - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By LadyDe - June 8 - 10:43 pm

  I love my Maxima. For the first time in my life I was blessed to buy a dependable car. Glad I chose the Maxima!!. Ask me if I would buy the 07 or 08? Heck yeah!!