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:

• 

  Solid Truck! - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By TruckMan123 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  No major complaints, this is a very solid truck, superior build quality for its class and even for luxury SUVS. Excellent power...was looking into a V8 Explorer or a V8 Grand Cherokee, but went with the Pathfinder because it felt just as powerful. I wish I boought the LE.

• 

  Horrible cloth seats - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By LivBlu - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The cloth seats are the worst ever. They inflict pain and discomfort. Leather package should be available by itself, not forced on top of two other packages.

• 

  a lot of car for your money - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By tea/jazcam - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Great speed when merging on to the freeway. Hold power when climing 30 percent grade hills. Fits 5 people comfortly. Body style is new and dinamic.

• 

  Worth the wait - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By blanfor - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I was sold on this car the minute I saw it.Traded in a 95 Quest; got a very good deal at Grubbs Nissan. Lots of neat new stuff, great ride, lots of thinking went into this design for once. A real head-turner and fun to drive; very responsive, nimble, feels like youre in a much more expensive car. Fold down seats are a real plus. I make up excuses to drive this car!

• 

  For want of a fuse...... - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By teachermom - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is beyond doubt the safest, most comfortable van our family has owned. We love it. However, the interior light fuse blew within a week, and after replacement, within four days, again!The dealership cannot find the problem. Even the seemingly odd placement of the radio is a safety feature....no leaning over WHATSOEVER is necessary. The design for front-end collision with drop-down engine, tent-folding hood, etc., plus the all-the-way-around airbags has us feeling as safe as possible on the road. Now if we can just get those lights to stay on.......

• 

  Get Your Own!! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By MadMAXin CT - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is truly an awesome car!! From the head turning style to the neck snapping accelleration, I LOVE IT!!! The 265HP V6 is smooth and fast. The 5spd auto trans is also smooth as silk. The handling is very nimble and steady. No push, very little body roll while cornering or in curves. Monster 18" wheels, wide tires, this is GREAT!! averging 24mpg. Not too shabby for such a powerful engine. Great fit, finish. Interior is roomy and nicely appointed. Great sound system and the race inspired gauge binacle is sweet and well lit. Maybe the guy who wrote the first review should trade his in. Perhaps he thought he was buying something different?

• 

  Maxima #1 - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By kevmax - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The car rides great and when you need to pass there is no better engine than the Nissan V6. I debated between the Altima V6 and the Maxima, but Im very happy with my decision. The tighter suspension on the Maxima, bigger wheels, the controlled acceleration, along with the safety features, the cars slow depreciation and the cars overall history helped me make a better decision.

• 

  A great truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Michael Akers - March 21 - 1:33 am

  I have owned my 2004 Titan for a year now and I still have the "new truck thrill". These trucks just plain get it on. I tow my 21 boat with ease, as well as go out for family rides on weekends. I have never regreted purching this truck. My truck is very popular with friends and co-workers and people still comment on my truck (good) even when other new trucks (domestic) appear in parking lot. The only "bug" is that the front brake rotors warped twice. I have full confidence that my dealer will permently fix the defect when the "vented" rotors arrive.I am pleased with the dealer I purchased at too. I did not get the pushed, or swindled in any way. Would buy same exact truck again!

• 

  Nissan murano SE 05 - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By UNKNOWN 05 - March 20 - 12:30 pm

  I love this car but a 53,000 miles driver seat is not working, the repair is more than $1,000.00; same thing happened with the power window; only 3 windows are working and I need to get the master power window, and brakes have some sound, I went to the mechanic and he told me that they are fine. So now I dont know where this sound is coming from. w

• 

  Some Problems But Love My Titan - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By 3riverssouth - March 20 - 10:30 am

  Bought my Titan back in July and have enjoyed it. 2 problems with the Titan so far. 1 - Leak from the A/C drain into the passengers side. Researching this has been a problem since 04 so should not have happened but did. 2 - Water leak from rear window. Took the dealer (Sheehy Nissan, MD) 3xs plus a call to Nissan USA to fix it. All in all no other problems and enjoy driving it. I have added a billet grille, chrome tube steps, tonneau cover and DVD system. Plan on keeping this truck for awhile.