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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  SUV for short women - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By pammypie - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I am only 5 feet tall, but this SUV with pedals that extend to the driver makes driving it safer (dont have to worry about being so close to the air bag)but comfortable too! With its lowered chasis I dont need a step or side board to "climb" into it. Yet, its eighteen inch wheels still sits you up above the road like most other SUVs. I like this car better than any other I have owned.

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  Pleasure to Drive - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Grizz - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle to drive, plenty of power... I have to double check my speed, I cant tell if Im going between 50 to 80 MPH on the highway. Really enjoy the navigation system, really coo

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  Government Offical - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By plumber - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I guess the first thing that sold me was the Design of the Exterior as well as the Interior. Then the performance of the Z was what I was looking for. Let me tell you this Car will bring the little boy out of you. When I researched the Ouality and Reliability then I was sold. I didnt even test drive the Car because I new it was what I wnated.

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  What a Kick! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Tammy2fast - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This is just an awesome car, 265 HP is great, and luxury is unbelievable new console design looks like an airplane & computer. Baby seat in back, yet as front passenger I can still lean all the way back with lots of leg room, very comfy!

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  Great car - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By maxdriver - August 11 - 7:30 pm

  I really enjoy driving this car, my only complaint is the amount of road noise that can be heard in the car.

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  Hate to drive, Love this car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Laivdoc - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I dont like to drive, so to compensate for my distaste for this essential part of life, I pamper myself with a car that makes it tolerable, or in this case downright fun. I have the SE 5- speed, having previously owned 3 Nissan Z cars and Ford Probe GT. The last two had been 5-speeds as well. Believe it or not, the Maxima outperforms them all. The shifter is a dream, the clutch neither too heavy nor too light, and the power is a blast. Handling is superb. The seats are very comfortable and the sound system is as good as any factory system Ive heard. When this car finally bites the dust, Ill get another 5-speed SE to replace it.

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  Luxury Performance Sedan - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By BP in SC - August 11 - 10:00 am

  Love it! Even the 4 cyl. engine delivers awesome power- same horsepower as other 6 cyl. such as Accord and Camry. I was a die hard Honda fan until I drove this car. And talk about being the center of attention . . . . Easy on the wallet too- insurance only increased slightly and its a lot of car for the money. Since I have an 11 month old, the interior room and trunk space is significant-- backseat seems bigger and more comfortable than 2000 Accord. Ive always been a "wait and see" person when it comes to a new make/model, but dont worry about this one-- go for it! No bugs.

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  2011 Quest is awesome - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By paul_hansen - August 11 - 6:37 am

  We did a lot of research. Besides the Nissan Quest, we drove the Honda Odyssey (ok), Toyota Sienna (yuck), Buick Enclave (nice, but $), and Mazda 5 (great, affordable microvan). Hands down, the Nissan Quest was our choice. Definitely feels like driving a luxury car. Pro reviewers should rate it higher. Seven seats are plenty, and I dont care that they dont "stow and go," because both back rows fold flat for plenty of cargo space. If thats really not enough, rent a U-haul. Also, since the third row doesnt fold into the floor, youre left with cavernous storage that doesnt have to be emptied to fold the seats.

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  I cant believe the responses on here. - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By kgordo26 - August 10 - 9:44 pm

  After reading several of the reviews, Im pretty surprised. Ive had mine for 2 yrs. I have 60k miles on it & have put nothing into it but oil changes & a set of snow tires. I agree with the review about poor handling in winter, but have not had a single problem since buying 2 front snow tires. Before badmouthing the car, check your tread. I also love the CVT. It is designed to be smoother & it is. As for engine noise, its a 4 cyl people, theyre all louder. Also, Im still on my first set of brakes all around with about 25% left. A lot of the complaints are differing preferences, not quality issues. Do research before you buy! Dont badmouth the quality bc you made a poor personal choice!

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  my family has been with nissan since1974 - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By grant - August 10 - 8:16 pm

  i have had altmas,frontiers, maximas, stanzas, and pathfinders this sentra is by far a great car. nissan did it again. handles great up mountans i have raced my dads frontier 4.0 and off the line i won. nice comfort the front seats recline very far i drive 150 miles a day and i get an avg of 29- 32 depending on how hard i step on the gas. mtn driving is a blast the car hugs turns tight and you still can give it gas threw the turn for the rest of it looks, inside and out its a good looking car. would like to see in 2 dr tho. and as for build and reliability well ... its a nissan not a toy. haha over all price handling performance and looks its a 10 to me