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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  Transmission problems - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By sygriff - March 9 - 6:44 am

  I would not recommend the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Wait until they get all the bugs out. I started having problems with the transmission a few days after buying the Pathfinder. Took it back in to the dealer but they could not find anything wrong with it. A month or so later I get a recall notice about the transmission. Went in for the "fix"...and it began acting up on the way home, which means the"fix" did not work. I live 1.5 hours from the dealership and I am taking it in for the third time after the recall "fix". Dealership never can find anything wrong with it, but they only drive it around the block...no wonder. Very, very disappointed and now stuck with it.

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  New car experience - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By JMart - March 9 - 3:00 am

  White W/SL Package minus navigation... Initially worried about getting a four cylinder to commute across a small mountain everyday on the way to work. Those fears have been put to rest and the cvt helps slow the car when going downhill. Very smooth ride and currently averaging 27 mpg.

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  So Happy with this 2014 Nissan Rogue SV - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By jlbwhite - March 8 - 10:41 pm

  I researched which car to buy for months and when I saw the re-design of the Nissan Rogue, I knew they got it right. Went and test drove the Cr-V, the Insight, and then the Rogue. The SV had cloth seats, which I prefer, but I could get a panoramic sunroof and the back-up camera with this model. That was all I needed. The car is super sharp in black, its just a pleasure to own, its so well made. I highly recommend this car. I think that for future models, they will give the engine a bit more juice - it could be peppier. But I dont care as much about that, and its plenty responsive for me. I feel so pampered in this car -- highly recommend.

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  Biggest mistake of my life - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By E - March 8 - 6:50 pm

  I had high hopes for this truck when I got it. It was my first brand new vehicle. From the very first day I had problems with it. Ranging from a broken steering column to bad tires leaky windshield, brake problems and the list goes on. I have lost countless hours of work going to get it fixed for a bunch of different reasons. My truck currently has 29,000 miles and doesnt work. Ive gone through 3 different batteries. The truck turns off while driving or it wont turn on at all. I was getting charged over $1000 to replace abs module but it looks like that isnt the problem or it may be a problem but it seems that it is another problem why it wont turn on.

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  Improvements needed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By pmich - March 8 - 6:10 pm

  We test drove many minivans on the market before buying our Quest. The space was one of the main reasons we chose it. We love our Quest on trips with our 3 kids. The performance of the car is top notch. auto sliding doors are a problem in the winter. Ours wouldnt shut because it froze. Dealers are not properly trained in how to service vehicle. I am one of the fortunate ones whos door stopped rattling after recall. The DVD/sound system is great. Love the info center. It didnt take long to get used to. Plan on keeping this vehicle for a while assuming the issues that Ive read about dont occur on this one.

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  I love my 2002 Maxima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By MaxLover - March 8 - 3:06 pm

  I got my Maxima over a year ago... it was roughed up by some college kid who could not afford payments. Yes it has some dents, dings and rust. It also does not have the best fuel economy but it is a fun to drive car that has a huge engine (3.5) to other comparable cars in its class... It has 255 horsepower with 246 ft-lbs torque... i had w rated tires on there... and my car ran like a new car. the engine is very strong and reliable... everything in my car is running strong... and im glad i bought this car

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  So much fun - 2013 Nissan Juke
  By cherokeegirl71 - March 8 - 10:37 am

  I have liked the look of the Juke since I first saw it in 2011. Have had mine now for almost 2 months. I average 29.2 mpg in economy mode, which blows my jeep out the water. Sport mode is addictive. The ride is comfortable, I love all the bells and whistles. It handles well, responds to steering and foot pedals quickly. It is fun to drive, the reaction of a sports car with the safety of an SUV. There is not a lot of cargo room, but enough for a trip to the grocery store. Drop the seats down and lots of room.

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  CVT needs work - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By rgc - March 8 - 8:23 am

  Traded in my 2004 Maxima and in all honesty I should have kept it. The CVT was supposed to increase performance and fuel economy. Didnt do either. I get fewer MPG and the CVT makes the car very unresponsive off the line. Although, I must admit my last Maxima got better gas mileage with 75K miles on it than new. Couple of times I thought I was going to be run over cause the trans wouldnt go! I have never owned a car that doesnt move, for about a second, when you stomp on the gas, its scarey.

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  Great Car - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Tallguy - March 8 - 8:00 am

  I bought this car used with about 20,000 miles on it. I replaced the hubcaps with wheels to get rid of the rattle. This car still has the original rear brakes good for about another 20,000 miles. Im 66" tall and I fit fine. I have driven this car from coast to coast including 2 trips up Pikes Peak. I love this car!!

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  Good car for Transmission Repair Shops - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By gregsandiego - March 8 - 6:37 am

  Add me to the list of people with a Nissan Maxima and a bad transmission. Mine had only 52,000 miles when the thing started slipping and lurching in the low gears. A trip to my local transmission specialist confirms the worst, at a cost of $3100 to $4000 to repair.