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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  GREAT CAR - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By ljljkjjdlksfjalkf - January 7 - 2:00 am

  this car is very fun to drive, its the best car ive ever owned. great on gas good acceleration. alot of power at 110mph. very reliable

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  Im in love - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By 95se - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Honestly I havent driven a better vehicle. Fun, Fast, and Stylish, the Maxima leaves me with absolutely no complaints to express.

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  2000 Pathfinder - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By R Carter - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I love my Pathfinder. I am glad more people do not realize how great they are or they would be everywhere.

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  hate it - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By 3333 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  this car has given me nothing but problems since i bought it. i had to replace the whole engine.

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  A car in its own league - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By snoopdade - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Its is one of the best car buying choices i ever made.

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  Spec V is Great!!! - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By KAPACINO - January 7 - 2:00 am

  i have just purchased my top of the line spec v, and i got it in sunburst yellow and it looks great, in fact i havent seen another yellow car on the road for awhile, and the tight suspension feels great, while acceleration at high speeds is even better, crusing at 60, i didnt even need to reach 3 rpms to pass up people at 80 mph, great pickup

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  Great family car for a great price. - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Wizzard - January 7 - 2:00 am

  We looked at _all_ of the SUVs. Compared looks, features, MPG, size, price, maneuverability and availability. Pathfinder beat out Envoy, Explorer, Grand Cherokee, Durango and Pilot as it had best mix of all of our criteria. Now that weve driven the truck for a week, we are not disappointed.

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  God I Love The Murano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By MLBBB - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I now have owned this vehicle about 6 weeks now and I think its great. Ive always been a Nissan fan and once again they provide another reason to be one. It looks and handles like nothing Ive ever driven. I actually cant believe I own an SUV but this is so different...My only concern is with the SE model. I notice some rattles at times that make me concerned for the long term. SE ride is a little too harsh.

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  the coolest suv ever - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By chagai & daisy - January 7 - 2:00 am

  fantastic. so cool, super lux feeling (sl w/ leather package) sunlit copper w/ cabernet leather interior. nice and wide, super smooth, xtra stytlish and a super attention getter. sleeker and more stylish than the x5, lexus, or mdx, with perfect performance.

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  THE COMPLETE URBAN SUV - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By KENNY WESTPHAL - January 7 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE. THE RIDE AND COMFORD OF A LUXURY SEDAN. THE STYLING AND POWER OF A SPORTS SEDAN,YET THE STRENGTH OF A SUV. I CANT BELIEVE THE GREAT GAS MILAGE, 23-25 AVERAGE, AND ITS ALMOST 4,000LBS. SIMPLY THE BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED. THERE WERE TWO REVIEWS THAT COME TO MIND, ONE MENTIONED CARDBOARD THE OTHER CLUE ON PARTS. WHAT WERE THEY TALKING ABOUT? IM CONFUSED, THEY MUST HAVE GOTTEN THERE REVIEWS MIXED UP.