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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  Itza great car - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By nicecar - February 17 - 9:00 pm

  My previous autos were an 08 TL TypeS, an 06 Vette, and an 05 Charger Daytona. I know performance and quality. The 370Z has more of both than any of my previous vehicles. Shes perfect for hotrodding around town and a great interstate cruiser at 79mph (yep, in the summer). I ledfoot it all the time and have never seen my oil temp gauge above 225(& I live in Central Georgia). Build quality and finish are outstanding. Heat isnt an issue unless you take it to the track. And if you intend to, at its price point, whats the big deal about putting an oil cooler on it? Worried about warranty? Dont race the car! After 14,000 troublefree mi, the car is simply without peer cost/value/performance.

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  Awesome 3.5 V6 - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Lorretta - February 16 - 11:23 pm

  The 3.5 V6 Altimas is such an awesome car. I have friends that own BMW, Mercedes, etc., and they compare to their car, and say this Altima is just as good as their automobile. Its pick up is awesome, the comfort & roominess are superb. It is overall better than the Accord, which I also considered. Thanks Nissan for making a great car at such a reasonable price! I am thoroughly enjoying this car.

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  Happy Murano owner - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Big Bob - February 16 - 12:16 pm

  I purchased the Murano SL AWD in November in Seattle. Shortly after purchase we had a major snowstorm and long lasting icy roads. The Murano was magnificant! I could not get stuck, even when starting uphill on ice! I was surprised the car felt very steady and perfect for the conditions. Heated seats were a plus.

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  Nissan Murano AWD SE - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By bkdrake - February 16 - 10:00 am

  A great vehicle for the price. Better than a Lexus RX, BMW and definately better than a Volvo. Rides well, handles great and plenty of power.

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  My First New Nissan - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By jazziegirlie - February 16 - 10:00 am

  My Nephew had a Nissan Xterra, and I asked him how he likes it and he said they loved it, so they lived in mobile we had a Ford F350 which rode rough and I was having back surgery so we drove right to Birmingham and bought one over the phone all we had to do was go sign the papers and it was a done deal and we love it, No comparision to the F350 Dually Diesel, will buy another one in probably 3 years just like it maybe a different color. Good Power, I love my Exterra!!! and as many as I see on the road there must be alot of people who love them do.

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  Engine Options? - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By nativetexan69 - February 16 - 8:06 am

  This is an amazing truck. It truly outperforms the competition in every aspect... except gas mileage. The wife wants me to sell it because of the 13city-17hwy MPG stats. Aftermarket bolt-ons only help a little. Maybe with a smaller V-8 engine package you could set up your application the way you need. I hear the bed squeak when I have the back window down. There have been absolutely no problems with my Titan, I love it, and it has the most get up and go out of all the trucks I have tested. Buy it if you can afford the gas.

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  Almost Perfect - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Blue Max - February 15 - 11:26 pm

  This is a great car!It is super fast, silky smooth,and a lot of fun to drive. It has a feeling of solid precision at 90 MPH.The handling is excellent.Some reviews have said you have to get used to the CVT.Not me,I got used to it on the test drive.This car has an endless supply of smooth power.Also the car looks gorgeous.I have been getting about 22 miles per gallon with fast driving.

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  05 Titan review - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By dslater - February 15 - 8:53 pm

  I have owned a lot of trucks in my 63 years in Alaska. This is one strong, powerful mama. I pull a 4500 lb boat up a long pass and it pulls effortlessly throughout the rpm range at 14 mpg average (19/20 empty on the road). Great torque. On a long trip, my wife doesnt complain about seat discomfort and really loves the truck also... which is a real plus. I love this truck!

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  Great Value...Very luxury feeling - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By stygz2 - February 15 - 5:48 am

  I had been looking at replacing my Subaru tribeca. I looked at the explorer, acadia, santa fe. and highlander. The explorers interior felt cheap compared to the acadia and pathfinder and it was not as quiet also. The santa fe was a decent vehicle but did not really like it. The toyotas interior felt patched together....two information screens, and second row seats seemed to be a pain to configure. It really came down to the Acadia SLT and the Pathfinder SL. I could have bought either but the pathfinder was thousands less than the GMC. So far I have put on about 2200 miles in two months. The ride is smooth and quiet. Interior is very upscale.

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  My 3rd one - 2010 Nissan Pathfinder
  By TPARKER - February 14 - 7:16 am

  Just paid off and traded in my 2005 Pathfinder with 116,000 miles and got the same model. Had no problems with it and the previous 2001 at 130,000 miles. My wife loves the new one, because of the interior comfort and new techno updates such as "keyless". The Pathfinder does not get the best milage, but I average 19 to 20 MPG with 70% freeway driving. Plenty of room for 4 passengers and all their suitcases and laptops. Doubles as an excellent vehicle for my outdoor pursuits. It is not a race car and driven sensibly it tracks on snow and ice like a champ with the auto. Excellent amenities compared to competition, which I always look at and then go back to Pathfinder.