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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  I LOVE MY NISSAN - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By christina - March 28 - 5:40 pm

  I love the way my sentra handles. I drive 45 miles to get to work and I LOVE driving it. I am a college student, and I work part-time, and this car is perfect for me. I get great gas mileage. I think it is quite roomy for a compact, and it is comfortable for me to drive. I think for someone whom is 6 feet tall, it may not work as well as it does for me, but regardless I love my sentra!!!!

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  Wonderful vehicle for the price... - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By culbeda - March 28 - 4:56 am

  I have been very impressed with the vehicle as a whole. As with any vehicle, there are minor things Id like to change (such as the inability to use the NAV system while driving) but overall, I love the car and highly recommend the SE version for the shifter. Not as much fun to drive as my Maxima, but no slouch for its size. (And it averages at 20MPG in the city, even at high altitude!)

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  Brand New Rogue - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Dallas Rogue - March 27 - 5:40 pm

  I love it. All the perks of an SUV without being to big. I have had 21-25mpg combined hwy & city.

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  Happy with the Vehicle - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Larry - March 27 - 9:20 am

  The vehicle was well improved on the interior from 2006 to 2007. It has a great amount of power for a minivan. It is not your mothers minivan. It has space that others do not have.

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  My Baby - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By schmidy6 - March 26 - 9:13 pm

  Bought the car in 2010 with 133,000 miles on it. Now at 173,000 and have only put brakes, tires, and new headlights on it. Engine and transmission are rock solid, never had an issue with either. My dear friend is getting old, however. Her rocker panel on the passenger side is almost completely eaten away, she has a rust hole in the floor board behind the passenger seat. It kills me to see my car rust out because despite the rust, shes never quit on me, and she wont hesitate to blow by someone on a two-lane or cruise comfortably at 80 on country roads. I could probably change the oil every 7,000 the way this car sips oil. Probably wont even get rid of her when I get a new car.

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  Xterra Rocks - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By mik922 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  The Xterra has damn good looks and is very capable off-road. The only downside that I see is the fuel mileage at about 15 mpg.

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  excellent truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By pistols - March 26 - 2:00 am

  My 03 nissan xe crew cab has been excellent. the v-6 with the 5spd mt is fun to drive. the ride is truck like as it should be. great commuter truck and weekend project truck. i get at least 1 compliment a week on it and have to say its great. right size, right feel, right look.

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  I love my Pathfinder! - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ANN - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I loved my 2001 and bought another almost identical to it. It has even better, more improved features and the XM radio is awesome! And it will scat, but the gas mileage is similar to the old one.

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  Nissan Murano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By lcolpus - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle really lives up to the advertising...great fun to drive, works in different modes to suit our changing daily needs. We have taken a couple of long road trips and have been delighted with the ease of handling and "usability" of the Murano. The exterior design is eyecatching and cool. We love it!

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  45,000 miles a year later - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Golf26guy - March 25 - 10:06 pm

  Great vehicle. Very comfortable as I drive about 1000 miles a week. Better value than other major competitors. Hung with Porsche Cayenne (base model) running 115 mph in mountains of North Carolina, with ease. After 45,000 miles not the first problem with it.