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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  WOW.... - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By mike - June 8 - 4:13 am

  just picked up (April 2, 2005) my new fully loaded 2005 SL AWD black on black. Very nice, very roomy, lots of options, good ride (the SL model), solid, doesnt seem to eat alot of gas. The back up camera is very well thought out of and is very usefull. The navi seems to be a pretty good one also. Traded in a 2003 lincoln ls v8 and this car has even more options then the lincoln while the msrp is $10,000 cheaper. And the intelligent key is pretty cool as well. hope it stays the same for the rest of the 42 month lease. definetely consider this car.

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  Broken Drivers Seat - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Neveragain - June 8 - 1:30 am

  Wow! I thought I had bought a fantastic, classy SUV. Always loved the styling. First Nissan. 6 months after I bought the vehicle the driver seat breaks a mount. The seat is flapping in the breeze. I join in a recall campaign with the NHSTA that closes without resolution because not enough people were killed or maimed. Nissan offers some assistance, but almost acts like we should expect failures like this as consumers. Last Nissan!

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  Home Run - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Tony in PHX - June 7 - 5:53 pm

  Nissan keeps making great cars, I bought my coupe in 11-07 I have 5500 miles on it now, its fully load minus the Tech package. The Premium package is well worth the price. Im averaging 29 mpg, the power from the 2.5 is amazing. Ill be sticking around with Nissan for a while. I love Bose sound system, the Intelli-Key and XM radio.

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  Good car - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By Terry Frost - June 7 - 11:51 am

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  Our Little Rogue - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Nishaw - June 7 - 7:00 am

  After having a wreck in our Murano, we only went to the dealer to "look" at the Rogue. Needless to say we fell in love. Love at first drive!! This vehicle has the smoothest ride, even better than the Murano. My only complaint is the interior dashboard area. I dont know what kind of material it is but it easily scratches. All and all I would definitely suggest you take it for a test drive.

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  Good, reliable, and dependable - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By Reliable as heck - June 7 - 3:03 am

  I bought this truck 2 years ago. So far Ive only replaced one 25 dollar AC blower motor, the tires, and the oil (occasionally). The thing has over 115,000 miles and runs like a champ. I have never, ever, ever had a single problem with it that prevented me from doing what I wanted to do with it. I use it for bikes, canoes, hauling wood, driving around town, and Ive never had any performance difficulties with my manual transmission. Plastic bumpers have a tendency to fade after awhile.

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  Very Impressed - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By Barry Pardo - June 7 - 12:05 am

  We watched youtube videos on all comprable suvs, we test drove all of them having to decide between the Nissan and the Subaru. I have had the Rouge SV with the tech package and have put almost 15000 miles on it since Feb. 2014. It drives great, we did bring it to the dealer only once to reset the computer on its first tank of gas because it did not do it automatically. I have no complaints and have had Nissans with great experiances in the past.

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  My first Sensible Choice - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Raj - June 7 - 12:00 am

  Great Off Raod vehicle...true for DC roads too!! Satisfactory mileage ... considering you get what is estimated by EPA. Little bouncy on city roads. great pick up. SE has a very good turning curvature and very good traction in snow/heavy rain.

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  A 1 year review on my 04 Base model - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Karl - June 6 - 2:13 pm

  After 23K miles I have been very pleased with this car. yes the tires feathered at 5K miles, and the axles had the clicking problem. But for 25 Grand I dont know of where you can get more bang-for-the-buck fun. I have noticed the gas mileage has gotten better and better. now at 23 avg. The only real gripe I would list is that the base model comes with the least adjustable seats. On a long drive the side bolster tend to poke into the outside of my fat legs and make them a little numb. I have defintely considered trading in on an 06 Z. I think i will wait for the 07. Love the new wheels. Also considering a Vette or a porsche cayman

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  ENGINE BLOWN AT 88,000 MILES! - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By PJB in San Diego - June 6 - 10:10 am

  Found out yesterday that the vehicle love of my life has dying engine and blown front and rear exhaust manifolds.....estimate for repairs....$13,000! Engine had less than 1/2 quart of oil after 3300 miles since last oil change. Sick to my stomach. Ive loved everything about this SUV and have taken impeccable care of it - mechanically, interior, exterior. Just last week had 2 different friends ask me if I got a new car!