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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  Been a Great Car - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Michelle Francis - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a 1997 Pathfinder since 1997 and as a busy Realtor, Ive put over 133,000 miles on it. The only major repair that has been done is a new timing chain put in back in 2003. GREAT VEHICLE -- my only hangup is how Nissan designs their cars to where only the dealership can fix it.

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  20 th Ann. Max! - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Cacace - October 21 - 10:00 am

  All Great and even after 3.5 years.

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  Camrys and Accords are for suckers. - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By thor444 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  It has a Six Speed Manual, 255 Horsepower Yiming Chain Driven motor, LSD front end, HID Lights and never needs anything. People who compare Camrys and Accords to this car are diluting themselves.

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  What a Bang for the Buck - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Knav - October 21 - 10:00 am

  My parents just bought me this car for my first vehicle and its a blast. Its a bullet when accelerating, quite when crusiing, and has a sweet tune when the engine is revved. Its faster than my dads V8 sedan and my brothers sports car. I couldnt have asked for a better car.

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  Love that new Nissan Quest04 - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By soules5 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  We really enjoy our new Nissan Quest

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  Poor Quality - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By bibe - October 21 - 10:00 am

  First six months has required two major repairs: Oil leaking from engine gasket, and bad alternator. I have 5,000 miles on this car and it has a bad alternator...The Dealer will offer a loaner that is usually a 4 door Sentra...really not a comparable car, note even close! If this POS car is going to be a lemon at least I can get a decent loaner!

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  Loved it! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ponce80 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  The unique exterior keeps geeting approving glances. Great handling, The DVD and navigation system are a blast. Had to have the navigation system, which was replaced within 2 days, great service

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  I love this car! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Alisa258 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Im a first time Nissan Altima owner. I love this car and am VERY happy with my purchase. The Altima is classy, comfortable and rides very smooth. I highly recommend the Altima!

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  what a shame - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By mark - October 21 - 6:30 am

  what could have been the best hands down SUV on the market is a junker. The vehicle has plenty of power but the quality of the materials used is sub par. So, interior mars easily, squeaks, rattles, and bellows. Leather seats are already loosing their shape. Brakes were an issue, but with the new replacements theyre great. The exterior plastics are showing signs of sun damage (this vehicle is kept in the garage). the longer we have it, the more strange noises we hear and the more i wonder just how reliable this vehicle is. Dealers we have dealt with have been very unhelpful. If I could do it over again, i would not have bought this vehicle. $46,000 worth of headaches. buy an excursion.

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  4000 Mile Update, love it with a few gripes. - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By tmac4718 - October 21 - 3:32 am

  My overall satisfaction with the maxima has been very good, not spectacular, but very good. Lets get the bad things out of the way first. Annoying rattle coming from the rear deck, rear deck speakers, brake light or somewhere. I have never owned a car with any rattle before so not impressed, it didnt do it when I took it in of course but will keep looking. On sunny days the auto climate control fan speed stays on way to high, will never calm down. My 08 altima didnt do this. The passenger seat is one of the most uncomfortable seats ever ridden in, thank god I never have too. It sits to tall, almost like it was designed for a kid, and much more adjustability needed.