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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  Great for sending your kids off to college. - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By jttom1994 - May 7 - 4:31 pm

  My parents got this car for me to drive to school and I love it. Sure its not the fastest of the best looking but its more comfortable than the mustang we traded in, gets way better mpgs and me and all my friebds can fit in it.

• 

  Last Nissan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By last nissan - May 4 - 2:00 am

  After owning 4 Maximas over the years, the Maxima had always been well built,had good resale and reputation,but not the most cutting edge with styling.I purchased a fully loaded SE, and while the exterior styling and engine are 1st rate, the interior cabin design and build quality looks and feels like it belongs in a car of much lesser cost!!( KIA!!??) While I realize the used car market is glutted at this point, my Altima has depreciated $7000.00 from the selling price,($10,000 from the sticker price!) and the car is not a year old yet!! I would gladly spend $40K, and have a vehicle that is of better quality and resale value .

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  Fun when it works, never again though - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By SeanJ - May 3 - 3:43 pm

  This car had 11,900 miles when I purchased it and was like new. It was great when it was working but I have had a multitude of problems and issues. It wont crank easily after the engine has been warmed up, it turns over and over forever before starting. Dealer fixed it once but its doing it again and now its not under warranty. The crankshaft sensor has gone bad and is a listed recall but Nissan says my VIN wasnt affected, obviously. Now the car wants to turn off while driving. It consumes oil like crazy, have to add oil in between changes. Fun to drive when its working but not worth the headache. Nissan doesnt honor anything, steer clear.

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  2nd Maxima to date - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By mphilips - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this car is sweet. I love the bose system and subwoofer. For a factory system it rocks. The interior layout is simply designed. I couldnt see myself driving a camry or accord. I am happy with my purchase, yet not happy with the reliabily and fit n finish. 40K miles so far. I still have my 87 max, which I still love (87, best max ever)

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  Xterra - Rough but ready - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Bowler - April 18 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is reliable but needs improvement on gas mileage and smoother riding. It is not comfortable on a long trip, nor is it gas stingy. It is, however, a good vehicle in which to haul goods, passengers. The high step to it often bothers shorter people.

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  Omg, how did this happen? - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By winson - April 14 - 1:18 pm

  I bought this really good Nissan Pathfinder SE, but 5 years later I regreted it. Just when I was done financing this car and when the warranty was done, the car broke down and I had to bring the car to a friend who inspects and fixes cars. He inspected it and said the "water boxes" water went into the transmissioner and they had to fix it and they gave me a crappy 2002 Honda Accord. After 2 weeks, I got my car back. (Yesterday) And I paid him $4700 dollars and I drove her home. But at 4:00, I went to wash the car and clean the engine but when I saw the transmissioner and the water box, I saw that nothing was replaced or anything. It was all the same. So I just wasted $4700 for nothing.

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  Disappointed - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Tom Hunter - April 14 - 5:26 am

  I bought this car new as I thought it would last a long time. The engine and transmission are mechanically sound, but I have replaced the drive shafts twice. The side window latches do stick. I have had work done on the power windows. I do plan on keeping this car for another few years. The VCR screen did break after 4 years.

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  window needed on back passenger side - 2015 Nissan NV200
  By Wendy Cloud - April 7 - 12:36 pm

  I have windows in the back, but there should be a window built into the back passenger side. Not to open and close...just to look thru. Would be a lot safer. Nissan should do a recall and put in the side window. The gas gauge is frustrating because I dont know when Im at the beginning of a bar or near the end. I like the old-style vertical, linear gauge. Again, the spare tire should be inside the vehicle or have a lift-up at the end of the bed. I had them put it inside so the tire guys wouldnt have to go to a lot of hassle to check it and put air in it. I do not use the air indicator at all because it flashes on and off like all the other lights. If something needs attention, that light should stay on. I just get the tires filled once a month, like usual. There is very little room in the passenger seat and glove compartment...they should both have more space.

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  overrated - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Scarleg - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Everything started great, the Titan was smooth and has plenty of power. after a month on the road the brakes started to shimmy and the service department cant seem to figure out the problem. Also, on four separated occasions the truck would not start. The service department is having problems finding this one as well. Some sort of intermittant problem. Based on my first two months I would not recommend the Titan.

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  Poor AC - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By blob1 - April 5 - 1:31 pm

  My Rogue has about 18K miles on it now and the worst thing about it is the AC.I live in Texas and its HOT in the summer and the AC in this Rogue has a hard time keeping up.Its been this way since the day I bought it. I bought a new 2009 Nissan Versa and gave it to my daughter and the AC in it worked great. The acceleration is poor but I like the CVT and the storage compartments in the doors and console are too small. I like the styling and other than the AC its been very reliable.Nissan needs to put a better battery and tires in/on their cars. Every time I buy a car the manufacture wants to know what I think about the dealer.They never ask me what I think about their car!?