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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  More Than Mini - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By ithndr - January 13 - 10:10 pm

  We have owned 3 previous minivans and have been pleased with all 3 for there everyday and vacation utility to haul 4 children, a bunch of luggage and still not break your back at the gas pump. When we started out this time we set ourselves on the Odyssey EXL w/DVD or Toyota Sienna XLE. These are suppose to be the champs. We loved the Honda versus our prior Chrysler T&Cs for the style and build. We favored the Honda over the Siennas styling, we were buying the Honda. I decided after further research to look at the redesigned Quest 3.5 SE. We were instantly impressed by this luxury/sport vans handling! This blows away the concept that minivans have to be boring, unimaginative people movers

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  Since no one else has left a review - 2013 Nissan Titan
  By Kris Minnier - January 12 - 1:08 pm

  I have owned my 2013 Titan for almost 2 years now and have not had an issue. I have owned several full size trucks and to date this is my favorite. I put magna flow exhaust on it and is by far the best sounding note out of all the V8s I have owned. When we get snowstorms of 12 plus inches and the roads are not cleared the ol girl plows through it with ease. I plan on driving her until she just cant get down the road safely anymore which I hope is another 15 + years. I know of the few things that tend to fail such as exhaust manifolds and wheel seals but from all the research I have done and continue to monitor the engine and transmission are solid, which is the main reason for purchase.

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  Well worth the money - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By colleen - January 12 - 11:53 am

  After 6 months, Im writing a review. I still believe this was the best purchase Ive ever made. I still love this car, the interior, the CVT, the comfort, the stereo... well everything! I believe this is a must have vehicle!

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  2006 Nissan Altima - 3.5 SE - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Joan - January 11 - 8:40 pm

  I love my new Nissan Altima, from the sporty look with the hallogen headlights, sun-roof, spoiler and sleek design to the roomy interior and having all the radio/CD controls on the steering wheel. The gas mileage is great also, even with having a 3.5 (6 cylinder, which gives me the power I need when I need it most getting into traffic, yet the gas mileage is great. I would reccomend the Nissan Altima!!

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  My 1st Car = AMAZING - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By andyMB - January 11 - 10:40 am

  I love how the car is smooth for the most part. Slower acceleration than some cars, then again it isnt a sports car nor is the road a race track! It keeps up with fast highway traffic -140 max and on the one way roads it is small enough to squeeze on the side when passing other cars as opposed to most cars. Engine can be a bit noisy at times, but it is def. not loud when driving at high speeds like a lot of other cars, including luxury cars, like those buzzing sounds. In all fairness to this car, which I read a lot of minor or just plain stupid comments about, the car is an amazing one for the price, performance, and overall quality! (*It also depends on the driver and how s/he drives & car).

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  What a TRUCK!! - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By MrK33 - January 11 - 10:00 am

  This is one truck that you dont want to skip. It has a decent 143 hp 4cyl engine that gets great economy, especially with todays gas prices. Between my first 2 tanks of gas, Ive gotten 25.2 mpg in mixed driving. Thats BETTER than EPA highway, and the engine isnt even totally broken in yet! The seating is really comfortable, and you feel as though youre driving a larger vehicle, only its very easy to park. The HVAC controls are clean and intuitively laid out. In fact, the cleanliness of the whole dashboard is great. If you want a real truck, but dont want to get something unreliable (American made), or expensive, check out the Frontier!

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  Awesome SUV with power - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mark324 - January 11 - 10:00 am

  By far the Nissan Pathfinder is a true SUV. Plenty of comfort and style.

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  Lot of BANG for the BUCK - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By BigJbren - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I test drove many SUVs in this price range and the standard features on the Nissan Xterra XE make it amazing. AC, CD, Roof Rack, Running Boards, ect. It comes with alot!! To me the Xterra gives a very nice ride, great handling, and is very practical with many hooks in the back to tie down items, and i love how the rear seats fold flat!! GREAT VEHICLE

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  FUTURISTIC PRACTICALITY - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By TOMJA3 - January 11 - 10:00 am

  FOR SOMEONE WHO HAD DOUBTS ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS A "RETOR-FUTURISTIC" DESIGN CONCEPT AND AN INNOVATIVE (ALL THOUGH TRIED AND TRUE OLD-CONTINENT" POWER TRANSFER CONCEPT WITH THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION, I AM TRULY IMPRESSED. SMOOTH, QUICK, AND CONSISTENT ACCELERATION, EXREMELY COMFORTABLE SEATING, GREAT VISIBILTY, THE BACK SEAT OF A LIMO, AND THE ROOM FOR LUGGAGE, GOLF CLUBS, GROCERIES AND THE DOG (ALL AT ONE TIME!), MAKE THIS THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR THE MULTI-FACETED NEEDS AND USES OF TODAYS DRIVER, WHETHER INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY-ORIENTED. GOOD JOB, NISSAN!

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  Solid Performer - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By ricardoa - January 11 - 10:00 am

  The Murano is a solid choice in the mid- size SUV ranks. Nissan has got it right with the aggressive styling that makes most other SUVs look boring, ample power, excellent fit and finish, and the amazing CVT un-transmission that feeds power continuously, with no hesitation.