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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  got horrible gas mileage!!!! - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By chevypat83 - November 14 - 4:52 am

  I got my certified pre own sentra just 4 mounths ago and hate it now! I traded in my 2002 pt cruiser for ths becase it was newer and had all the options(except leather and auto dimming mirror)but I just drive it back and forth to work and I only live like 7 miles from work and the past few mouths ive gotten 18mpg or less! and the comfort is horrable too wish never traded my pt!

• 

  This car rocks - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Ed Coyle - November 14 - 1:36 am

  Most fun Ive ever had in a car with my clothes on. It handles superbly and accelerates off the line faster than anything thats ever tried to beat me at a red light. I love it. Cant beat the price.

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  Im buying another one - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By stlangie - November 13 - 7:50 pm

  I purchased my Sentra new in 11/2006. It was totaled 2 weeks ago when a Yukon T-boned my passenger side. Six airbags were deployed in my car, and I walked away with only a sprained wrist. The Yukon looked about as bad as my Sentra. I am absolutely amazed that I walked away and my Sentra held up as well as it did. Other than that, I loved how much room I had in the Sentra. I test drove the Corolla, Focus, Camry, and a few others when I bought it, and I was not disappointed with my purchase. My insurance just paid for my car today, and Ive decided to buy a 2009 Sentra tomorrow.

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  Best Truck I Ever Owned - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Midhudson - November 13 - 4:33 pm

  At 38K miles it looks and drives as it did the day I drove out of the dealerships parking lot. Added fog lamps. Wish I could get the NISMO crew cab with the 6-speed. I own the SE because they dont sell it that way. Nothings needed repair, ever. I just use 91 octane gas and it does anything I ask. That engine is amazing, and the trans is silky smooth.

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  Nice for the age - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By Irock - November 13 - 12:33 am

  Just bought this last year and I really enjoy driving it. It has plenty of power. Shifts hard into 2nd (reminds me of my vette). Sounds great. Looks great. Drives and handles like a new one.

• 

  the new Z - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By lou shap - November 12 - 6:40 pm

  The Nissan 350Z roadster is by far the best value of any $40,000 sports car on the market. The ride, performance and styling are something that you would expect in a car that would be $55,000 plus. I would reccomend this car to anyone who can afford it.

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  Small Mistakes, Are Big - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Rey Vega - November 12 - 12:03 pm

  The windshield is a major small mistake. The wipers can not keep up with the snow and ice, plus they rip on icy windshield. The defroster is too small for the size of the windshield, and cannot keep the ice off. Also only the drivers side has a door key lock. This becomes a problem when there is a sheet of ice over the door, and only one door with a key lock. There is also a problem with all the door windows taking in water and/or ice and freezing, not to mention rusting from the inside out. Why are there metal air valve steams on the tires? They break! Other than that, mileage is not what is claimed.

• 

  Did I get lucky? - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Tom - November 12 - 8:50 am

  After reading so many bad reviews, I must have gotten lucky with my van. I traded in a 2003 Lexus RX300 as I needed the additional room. Travel a lot. Love the van in every way. Great gas mileage average 23.5 around town and took a 6,000 mile trip to Northeast areas and Nova Scotia and got 26.7 for trip. No problems at all so far. Have all the bells and whistles and love them too. Maybe the Lexus had a better GPS but this van is better on the road then the Lexus I had. Roomy, peppy for a van, handles great and whats not to like? Sorry others are not so fortunate. Would I buy another Nissan, Probably. But Honda is good too. I had a 2001 with little problems but not nearly as nice

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  Best Out Of the Bunch - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Cwise1591 - November 12 - 8:40 am

  I am a 17 year old kid and I am in love with this Nissan. Have owned 2 others and they were very good. Since we own an Infiniti. But all I got to say is that I drive 350 miles back and forth to school and Nissan hit this crossover right on the head. Bluetooth works great with my blackberry. Bose which is the only audio system that I would get is very good. Seats are the most comfortable I have ever sat in. Has great utility. Xenons are nice and cant even explain the CVT its the best transmission in a car, it takes off like a rocket and the paddle shifters make it even better and it only has 170 hp and it moves. AWD is so solid I take ramps at 50 and the car holds nicely. Great driving experience.

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  im bored with it... - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Maverick600 - November 11 - 7:16 pm

  I thought this car was going to solve my car buying woes...i was wrong. Its and okay car if you just want something to drive. I want personality in the car. Buy a civic coupe. Its cheaper. It gets really good gas mileage. The trunk is really small. I can fit 1 golf bag and a duffle bag...thats it. The sound system has good speakers for just the base model. If your gonna buy get a manual trans. Its gonna be more fun than the cvt...its boring. smooth ride. i will give it that. the interior is built around the driver and i feel comfortable when in it. Just really bored with car. Would be awesome as rear wheel drive.