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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  No More Nissans - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By No More Nissan - December 9 - 8:53 pm

  I have been reading posts, I have a 2006 Pathfinder, purchased brand new and had all the problems, replaced fuel gauge, IPDM, AC problem all under warranty. But I have had to buy two catalytic converters (they were flooded when the IPDM went out but Nissan would not cover), a new radiator with the fluid into the transmission (hopefully I wont need a new transmission but that may come too), and most recent a torque converter. Once my car hit 100,000 it fell apart, this was my first Nissan and I purchased this brand thinking it would last 200,000 but I will never purchase another Nissan, my first and last.

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  Good car, not quite a great car. - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By NW Driver - December 9 - 7:00 pm

  The 04 is the 3rd Maxima Ive owned (95 GXE &99 GLE previously). The redesign caught my eye as Nissan really upgraded from the previous bland edition. Looked initially at the SL model, but the handling of the SE sold me. It took me awhile to get used to the firmer feel, but when you can get it on the highway, it rides very smooth. The brushed aluminum vs. the wood grain on the inside took some getting used to, but now I really like it. Have gotten several positive comments from passengers and others about the overall look of the car.

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  THIS CAR BLOWS - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By sigmanu - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I HATE THIS CAR NOT ONLY IS IT POORLY MADE BUT IT TAKES THE DEALERSHIP WAY TO LONG TO FIX THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH IT MAKE IT MORE RELIABLE AND BUILT IT TO LAST 2 MONTHS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OF THE LOT THE AC NO LONGER WORKED AND IT TOOK ME 4 TRIPS TOT HE DEALER AND 3 MONTHS AND THREATS OF A LAW SUIT TO GET IT FIXED. AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE AC BROKE THE SHIFT KNOW CAME OFF AND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED

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  I love it all but the gas milage - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By bamccargo - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I love it all but the gas milage

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  Armada anomaly - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Allen_Crabtree - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Let me start by stating that I could not have found a better dealership from which to purchase my Armada. Bachman-Bernard in Greeneville, TN is worth your drive. I LOVE my Armada but unfortunately within the first 3 months the front passengers seat broke 3 times, the drivers window quit working, and an odd clicking sound coming from the rear hub turned out to be a miss-drilled brake rotor. It took 30 days to finally repair the passengers seat apparently due to availability of parts. After getting my Armada back, I had one blissful day before the passengers window started to malfunction the same way the drivers window did previously.

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  perfect - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By jjtubs - December 9 - 10:00 am

  perfect suv for any family. gas prices over two dollars a gallon sucks it really good...oh well, no price is too high for saftey.

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  a must drive , # 1 good job nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By marka0919 - December 9 - 10:00 am

  we drove the honda and the toyota . The room is incredible, the seating positions on the second row is so unique, make sure the salesperson shows you how to adjust the 2nd row seats. the third row is so easy to fold flat, very quiet cabin at highway speeds, and the entertainmant system is a must have. if you like to travel fold down the third seat in all of the ones you drive and put in your vacation gear like we did. the quest was the only one with room to spare. you can look at cubic feet of cargo space but if it isnt usable it only looks good on paper. WE have owned 3 maximas 2 altimas and this is my first QUEST AND THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!!

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  Watch the Navi System! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Dirtdude - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Overall, I have really enjoyed this car, however, I have had the entire navigation system replaced not once, but twice, in 10 months. They cant tell me why it keeps going out, but said they cant find anything (a short) on the car itself to cause the problem. The car drives great, the sound system is great and I really like the transmission... no "jerking" as it changes gears. Gas mileage has been pretty good (compared to some reviews Ive seen) about 20-21.

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  Best car Ive ever had! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By scdavies - December 9 - 10:00 am

  This car has EVERYTHING I wanted and at a price I was VERY happy with. Got the Drivers Preferred Package w/o VDC or TCS (I dont need/want them). It is fast and fun to drive. I LOVE IT!!

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  fun to ride - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Torres Family - December 9 - 3:46 am

  We love to ride our nissan quest its very quiet and strong, and our kids love the convinience of having a tv/vcr unit. GREAT VAN, GREAT VALUE.