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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  Awesome Drive - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Angus - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Everyone wants to talk about the car! Awesome!

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  No mid life crisis; just have style! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Billa - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent sports car! The Z Rocks! Design/shift combo are exhilarating to watch and feel as I attentively look ahead for a corner...Had vettes and other muscle cars before, but this is the best! If I must pay the prices of todays auto market to commute to and fro, itll be in something that balances class, style, looks, performance, fuel economy and an incentive to get out of bed and go. The 350 Z delivers all that and more... MB > MC! Business minds understand!

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  Nissan Maxima - Best car ever - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By tinacomstock - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had several high end vehicles in the past, several Mercedes models, BMW, Pantera, Datsun, Cougar, GTO Pontiac, Jeep Cherokee, Camaro, Mitsubishi, Toyota, but never had one that combines it all..... I am happy with Nissan because it lets me have fun and allows me to go to a formal function in it too. Great stabillity, great maneuverability, great acceleration and nice/comfortable roomy interior. Cant ask for more... yes, before purchasing; I tried the new cadillac CTX, BMW, Jaguar, Benz, Volvo and fell in love with Nissan. Im glad the dealer let me take it home to think about buying it. He is confident, I will not give it back to him.

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  2002 Nissan Frontier Saved my Life - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By doris - September 12 - 6:40 pm

  This truck has been a delight to drive. In only 4 short months, I grew to LOVE it and the ability it provided to haul things around. However, last weekend, I ran off the road in the rain and crashed head-on into a large tree. My truck gave its life for me! The police officer said I probably would have been killed, or certainly seriously injured, were it not for the air bag and seat belt. My air bag, seat belt, and the structural integrity of the truck saved my life. I had only a few bruises. The truck was totaled, but I was so impressed by its performance while I owned it and in this worst of circumstances, that Im buying another one!

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  I am in love with my new Maxima! - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Ehunter - September 12 - 4:40 am

  I just purchased my 2010 Maxima a few days ago, but since the remodel was introduced back in 2008 with the 2009 models, I have been in love. I traded in my 2008 Altima for this Maxima and have no regrets. While I loved the Alitma and it was a good drive, it doesnt even compare with how much fun the Maxima is to drive. I look forward to getting in the car and taking it for a spin! The 290 HP is amazing and blows other sedans away on the road. Its a smooth, comfortable ride. I was initially worried about the size, but coming from the Altima, I dont feel like its much different in size. I liked having the different choices of packages and love the Sport packages 19" rims.

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  I never thought I would enjoy driving a minivan until now - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By 08outtie - September 12 - 12:39 am

  A great vehicle thru and thru. The styling is unlike all the other typical minivan on the market, so in a way, I feel that it is less like a minivan. I like the boxy style at the back, although I would understand that it is a love it or hate it styling. I love the CVT on the Quest. I test drove a Cube couple years back and it was so loud and straining at all RPM. I think the problem with the Cube was the small engine. With the Quests 3.5L engine, the CVT is quiet and extremely smooth. The interior is just unbelievable for a minivan. It basically is a carbon copy of the Infinitis interior design. Fit and finish is top notch. I guess thats the result of the vehicle being built in Japan.

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  We Love It! - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Mdawgy - September 11 - 5:10 pm

  My girlfriend and I recently purchased a 360* edition of the rogue, and couldnt be happier. I find the drive test review to be dead on, the rogue is designed for the average driver, it is not a high performance machine. For the everyday driver, you get a quiet, well-behaved car that handles well, seamlessly accelerates, and looks and feels really good to drive. Vision out the back could be better, but the back- up camera helps alot. Simply put, we Love this vehicle. It is, in our minds, the best value for the money.

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  A new pathfinder - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By WALTER S - September 11 - 1:23 pm

  I gave up my 2002 nissan pathfinder when the lease ran out. I was thinking armada but didnt like the gas guzzler. So i loaded up a 2005 pathfinder identical to my prior 2002 which had run like a charm. To my surprise the 2005 was even better. Larger yet drove like a car, smaller turning radius, slightly better on mileage. Quicker, and the seven passenger capacity, though 3rd row small is a plus. Only dissapointment was brakes. I am still getting adjusted to driving a lager suv that needs more push and time to stop than the lighter 2002. Hands down a winner over acura and infinity dollar for dollar. Get gps, i always do, never buy with out it. A great fun suv to drive. Better than 2002

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  Happy Owner - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By jimbo4474 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Frontier when it was one- year old and already had over 30,000 miles on it. I was a little concerned about this, but it has been completely reliable over the past three years. It is extremely comfortable and quite powerful for a 4 cyl. engine. I am hoping to buy a SUV next, and am seriously looking at the Xterra and Pathfinder since I have had such a good time with my Frontier.

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  Max Fun - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By max01 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Great driving car, with responsive engine. Load of interior room and nice appointments, including Bose audio system. Handles and brakes well. Would prefer less "plastic feel" of the dash, and rear independent suspension.