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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  Bring it on. - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By RedWings - April 1 - 10:00 am

  To think I was waiting for the 2004 supercharged Monte Carlo. Damn, Im glad I do things spur of the moment. This has to be one of the sweetest non-european sports cars out there. I know we cant compare to Lambo or Ferrari, but pretty much anything else is fair game, especially in the price range. I just need to find a winter car so I can make this puppy last.

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  Good, little car - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By MichaelK - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the fourth Nissan Ive owned (83 Datsun 310gx, 95 Quest, 95 Sentra, 02 Sentra) and I am very pleased with this car. Im a shorter person and the car fits me like a glove. My friends who are taller (6 and up) are quite amazed that they fit so well in the front seat. As for the back seat -- well, that is another story. But after test driving the Mazda Protege 5 and others, the price and quality were unbeatable. Get the Synergy package -- its well worth it!

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  I LOVE IT!! - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Dawn1973 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I am actually in love with my pathfinder. Its reliability and style are second to none.

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  The new Hotness! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By rmill - April 1 - 10:00 am

  After looking at the Highlander, Pilot and Endeavor, I am SO happy with my decision to go with the Murano. This car has the looks, power and space Ive been looking for, not to mention the features. This is my first SUV, cominmg from a sports car and if you are coming from the same situation, this is definitely the vehicle for you. It handles excellently and has more power than my sports car! I think the CVT is awesome when it comes to power and fuel economy, though not quite up to the sticker highway 25 mpg, it still does great. This car is not just for families either, as a young single male I totatly love this vehicle. Cant go wrong with this one.

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  Nothing Compares to it - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Killer - April 1 - 10:00 am

  if you are a van owner you need to check this new nissan van out, it is the greatest auto out there, van wise

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  No other minivan comes even close! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By hijodDIOS - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This is an awesome vehicle; beats the Sienna by far, which by the way is the only minivan that could compare on this league. Honda, Dodge, Ford, etc are on a sub-level below. Take this from an all-time Toyota owner, in fact all my cars in the past have been Toyota (Tercel, Corolla, Celica, & 4Runner)!!! But this new redesigned Nissan Quest has everything and more than any other model of other names, plus a revolutionary dash design, more room, wider doors, should I continue? Oh! and dont forget to look at the ski at night through the radical and elegant Skyview, its like sitting at your a Home back-porch.

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  A van I am pleased (and proud) to drive - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MEB from Mass - April 1 - 10:00 am

  When we set out to find a replacement for our Subaru Forester (a car that was excellent - just too small), my wife expressed a strong desire to purchase another minivan. We had owned one when my kids were very young and thought I was past this part of my life. I was adamant that we should buy an SUV with three rows instead of another minivan... that is, until I actually drove the Quest. This vehicle is excellent. We test drove, the Odessey, the Sienna and the MVP. All were excellent vehicles, however, none provided the "whole" package better than the Quest -- performance, handling, function and style (both inside and out) truly set the Quest apart.

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  Nissan Maxima 2004 3.5 SE - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By psu-alum - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The car is great. Love the interior layout and exterior styling.

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  smashing - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By smokey brat - April 1 - 10:00 am

  the greatest for the money.

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  Maxima to the maximum! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Nomad10 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This car has pure adrenaline written on it. Horsepower is tops for a "family" sedan/sports car. The styling is elegant and a definite head-turner to all it passes along the way.Interior desing is like a cockpit with comfort that makes even the longest drives easy to make. Roomy and intersting to the eye also describe the interior. Nissan has stepped up the game on their sedans.