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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  By far WORST Car Ive ever owned in my life! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By nissansux3 - June 13 - 8:56 am

  Just read all the post on Coolant leaking into Transmission. Happened to me at 75K miles. We bought the car brand new and spent THOUSANDS on repairs and it was never without problems. Amazing how a company could keep selling a vehicle with SOOOOO many problems and then not do right by their customers.

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  Best Purchase - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By big R - June 13 - 5:46 am

  I have nothing bad to say about this truck.I was concerned about the gas mileage, but just have been pleasantly suprised.The numbers come in way above the door estimate. Im getting @22 mpg driving to and from work and just got back from a road trip where I got @ 26 mpg on the highway.

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  great truck - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By hounddog - June 13 - 3:13 am

  the only thing wrong with this truck is the turning radius. Ive driven full size trucks that turn better than the frontier. Other than that, it is a blast to drive and carries my atv and I dont even notice the weight.

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  my lil 350z - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By frances d miciotta - June 12 - 2:26 pm

  i bought this car as a birthday present for me. i love it, but the only problem i have, is that there is no room for junk. it is small. no trunk space. i love the way it drives. it is definately a fun car to drive, especially when the top is down. more roomy then. i think i will keep it for awhile.lol

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  Frontier 2005 Disappointing - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Kosmo - June 12 - 2:23 pm

  After 2 months I wish I never got this truck. It handle well, but I feel this truck is dangerous. It has awful blind spots & I have almost had several accidents because of them. I am very uncomfortable driving this truck. First, the rear headrests completely block ones view. I removed them & that helps but leaves my passengers open to serious head injury in case of accident. The left side is simply designed so poorly I wonder how it ever passed QC. When you glance over your shoulder to change lanes, you cannot see anything behind as the drivers headrest & post separating the rear & drivers door completely obstruct your view. The right side has similar problem, but not as bad.

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  Vibration - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By sum2 - June 12 - 4:37 am

  Whole car vibrates/shakes at 1900RPM. I have replaced alternator & belt in regard to this issue but nothing has happened. Car still vibrates. Nissan technician told me it is normal because of CVT. well you didnot tell me that when I was purchasing the car. This is a major issue and NIssan is not even considering it as a problem. They do not have a solution fir it yet. I strongly advise all the potential customers to stay away from this car until they resolve the issue.

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  Fun to drive, beautiful to look at - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By jjpeter - June 11 - 10:23 pm

  Pros: Wonderful power, but even cruising leasurely this truck just gives you confidence, knowing it can just leap forward with a slight tip in on the right hand pedale Massive brakes and sure stopping power. Handling; again, confidence inspiring, solid, feels like the wheels are planted five feet beyond the fenders. The seats; the best I have ever experience in ANY car. Tough, beautiful fabric, looks like it will last 100 years. Dash; fully functional, everything reads at a quick glance. Stereo controls on the steering wheel are NICE. Sitting height, perfect, commanding view of the road, yet its easy to enter and exit the cab.

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  Throw reliability out the window - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By engine stalls - June 11 - 8:33 pm

  Engine stalls and will leave you stranded, vents dont close so you always smell the outside or get hot/cold feet, sliding door does not close properly because it keeps reversing, many rattles and squeaks, vents in the ceiling keep falling, dealers dont know how to fix things so you keep going back to fix the same thing. Dealer does not do an oil change when thats what I asked them to do because oil is still dirty and they said thats the color of their oil but when I took it back a week later for an oil change, its a clean and clear color. Tires are a weird size and are very expensive because only Goodyear sells them.

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  Super Fun Ride!!! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Connecticut - June 11 - 8:06 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive! Every time I get in it I am smiling!! It has plenty of get up and go, and you need to keep your eye on the speedometer, or you will be exceeding the speed limit without knowing it!! Smooth, quiet ride, and handles great!!! LOVE IT!!!

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  Good so far - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By PG - June 11 - 5:10 am

  Hard to tell with only 700 miles, but I like it so far. Smooth running, plenty of power and roomy. I had a Nissan before this and at 147,000 miles it ran like new. I hope i have the same experience this time.