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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  Six month to decide - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By quallsrb - July 12 - 1:22 am

  I took a long look at Avalon, Acura TL and Buick before buying a Nissan Maxima. I was influenced by the sportiness of the car based on sons inputs in comparisons to all 3 other choices. I liked the Avalon a lot but it felt like an old mans car and overly lavish. The Acura TL was great but the trunk was tiny and it would not hold 2 sets of golf clubs. The Buick had lots of possibilities but it just felt to bulkish and not as well thought out. Shaqs commercial made me look at it twice. It is early but performance has been great, wife loves it and gas mileage is much better than the Volvo XC 90 I traded in. I have only bought Volvos in the past 5 cars but the XC 90 was terrible.

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  This is a lemon - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Moberly - July 11 - 7:50 pm

  I have had to service this vehicle 8 times in 6 months. It leaked transmission fluids, needed a new windshield, the brakes have been replaced 3 times and I have had to replace 6 interior plasic pieces. I tell everyone not to buy one. This car is all style and no substance. I have a 7 year old Lexus LX470 that drives better, is more reliable and has 110K miles. Nissan of America will not do anything to support this hunk o junk. Scott

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  awesome car!! - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By mike - July 11 - 5:46 pm

  i got my maxima a week ago, ever since then i have been in love with it, even my girlfriend loes it, this is the best maxima ever!! the seats are black leather (but really soft), and to add it more style i went to beverly hills tinting garage and i tinted my windows very dark!! (yes illegal dark) but i got a sticker freom the eye dostors saying that i can have the windows that dark (becase when i drive the sun gets into my eyes). All in the end i love my new 2007 nissan maxima 3.5 sl !!!

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  Its what I was hoping for - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By oesterlin - July 11 - 12:40 pm

  I had a problem. I have a commute of 25 miles each way, none of which is on superhighway. My car was getting old, and I needed to replace it. My biggest requirement is that since Im 68" I need to have a car with generous room for the driver. I went to the auto show, and most of the small cars were just too tight. Even in the mid-size class, only the Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima seemed to be roomy enough. After test drives, I settled on the Altima bcause it seemed most comfortable to me. Now, after having it for a few months, I have some overall good impressions regarding what I had heard about the car.

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  The 4 door sports car - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Chris Webber - July 11 - 5:13 am

  I bought this car used 3 years ago at 110,000 miles. It has been a great three years and I am now up to 150,000 miles on it. Then engine still is extremely strong and the cluth and trasmission have been just as durable. Car is alot of fun but I do wish I got the SE as it has more options than my GXE such as a sunroof and better suspension. The problems so far I have had are with the calipers which it has ate a few up the alternator, which was luckily replaced for free under recall. All in all this is a great car that has alot of power.

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  A nice truck based SUV - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By Hoss - July 11 - 12:23 am

  I did a lot of research before buying the Xterra, I looked a the FJ , the Wrangler, as well as some trucks. The X has the perfect blend of creature comforts and ruggedness. I traded an Audi for the X, and I do miss some of the luxury, but the X makes up for it in other ways. The gas mileage is OK, I get 13-15 in town, and 19-20 on the freeway. The seats are leather in the SE, but they are low grade leather and not heated. The stereo sound good, better than the Bose unit in my old Audi. Its very easy to see out of, and my kids think its great to sit up high. Im glad I bought the X, The Portable GPS is great, better than built in units.

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  95 Pathfinder 4x4 SE - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Dueydog - July 10 - 11:00 pm

  I have owned 9 Toyotas, 4 Land Cruisers, 3 4Runners, 4x4 Truck and Supra. And while this is not as extremely overbuilt like the Cruisers, it is a better balance of off road and on road driving.

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  Love my Army... - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Ayespye - July 10 - 8:10 pm

  Ive only had this beast for 2 months but its perhaps the best ride Ive ever owned. I got rid of my Volvo S80 in favor of the Armada...and the difference is astounding. The ride in my Armada is soooo much smoother, I was surprised. The room in the back seat is PHENOMENAL! The raw power at any speed over 15mph is a fun kick in the rear. Ive had it over 90 a couple of times and have never noticed the before mentioned "shake" in the steering wheel. Im not looking forward to replacing the tires when the day comes either.

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  2006 Altima Special Edition - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By chuck - July 10 - 5:50 am

  I was surprised with how well this car rides and the power a 2.5 L has. The options available were a good value. I would like to see ABS made standard, but this car is worth the money.

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  Love this car - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Tom G - July 9 - 8:31 pm

  This is our 2nd new Murano. We had a used one prior and it had over 170,000 miles before we decided to sell it. We traded it in for a 2015 SL front wheel drive with all the extras. We loved it, but unfortunately my wife had someone make a left turn directly in front of her, in a Ford Expedition, causing major damage. Our new loved car was totaled. Luckily the Murano had an over abundant amount of airbags, which covered my wife all around the vehicle, all the way back to the side rear windows. As well as an airbag covering her feet and legs, amazing. Our insurance did its job but we had to locate another vehicle. Well we loved our 15 Murano so well, we started looking at the 2016 Murano. We located and then purchased a 2016 Murano. The Premium model had AWD, and many new added features. And you know it, we got it at a better price than we paid for the 2015. It is a very safe vehicle and rides as nice as any luxury car weve owned. We are very happy with our choice. *****