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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  Suburban Workhorse - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By J. Locke - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Recently moved from NYC to suburbs. Found myself borrowing/renting trucks or tying oversized items to car roof too often. Purchased Frontier compact pickup with quad cab, 5 sp manual and long (74") bed. Has quickly become my full-time weekend car. Enough interior room for all (3 fit in back seat easily), plenty of hauling capacity, 4WD for the beach. Acceleration is a little slow on the parkway (compared to my cars), gas mileage is reasonable. Biggest problem is a lack of center consol parking brake handle in the hills. This small truck handles nicely both on and off road. Reasonably quiet. Even my wife enjoys driving it.

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  loved this car intill..................... - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By 0altima3 - May 27 - 9:21 am

  bought this car used in 2005 with 21000 miles on it was evrything i wanted loved my car praised it was black on black with leather 6 years later still turnning heads flawless inside and out took the best care of the car nothing but synthetic oil changes every 3000 miles nothing but premiume 91 76 gas and last week discovered no oil in my engine with only 82000 miles had read up on it about a year ago and called nissan and they said it has to do with how you maintence your car so i thought would not happen to mine but i was wrong no one took better care of a car then i did nissan needs to do something will never buy another nissan and will tell anyone who will listen getting rid of my baby

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  Pulezze what a Z - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By ZBestZ - May 25 - 10:00 pm

  Had a 2010 Camaro on order. Could not test drive one so decided to take a look at the 370Z and drive one. Sorry Chevy - cant wait - this car is a drop dead gourgeous rocket ship. No regrets - awesome car for the money.

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  Weekend Warrior - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By msmiller406 - May 25 - 6:33 pm

  This vehicle was purchased new in 2007. Great for hauling kids around and all outdoor activities. (It was originally purchased for my wife, but I love it more and bought her an Altima. :)) Although this is a 2WD it takes me everywhere I need to go. It does fine on dirt roads and in pastures going to fishing and camping holes. I am getting around 21 mpg on the highway and around 15-17 in town. We also use this vehicle as our vacation wagon. Does great. We love it.

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  Nissan Sentra SE-R - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Mike - May 25 - 2:03 pm

  I have had the Nissan Sentra SE-R for a while now and simply love the car! Its sporty appeal is a very good quality to me. Not to mention that Nissan has a reputation that only a few makers can match when it comes to Tuner/Race cars and their quality and knowledge in the field. I feel very confident about the future performance of this car and look forward to continued business with this automaker!!!

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  A thing for Altimas - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By RJones - May 25 - 10:56 am

  This was my 2nd Altima. I had a 95 that I bought used in 96, kept it until 05 (160k miles) when I bought my 2nd one (also used). These cars definitely seem to have problems w/the O2 sensors (both of mine did), but overall are reliable. Unfortunately, I just totalled my 2nd one (at 73k miles) so I am off this weekend to by another :(

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By purpleleather - May 24 - 6:23 pm

  If any 4 banger I ever owned this is one car that will scare the hell out of the V6 and 8s a run for its money. Just touch the gas and its gone! Code red is the color of my car and there couldnt been a better name for that red and the character of this car. I will have this car for a long time and hope it an experience I will never lose gaining. Nissan dealer is been great and helpful.

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  I luv my Mada - 2010 Nissan Armada
  By Armadaman - May 24 - 5:23 pm

  I traded in my 2001 QX4 infiniti for the FX35 after 1 month I wanted out of the FX35. I went to Sutherlin Nissan and the staff their was very helpful and worked out the perfect package for me to purchase the Armada Platinum 4x4. I love this truck, it rides well, it is comfortable, gas cost wise is pretty much the same as my QX4 as I was using premium gas.

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  Keep em Coming Nissan - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Love my new Quest - May 24 - 12:20 pm

  Van was purchased for easy access in a vehicle for my elderly mother. The most comfortable and often used vehicle by the rest of the family even when mom is no where around. Still trying to understand all the negative comments about the instrument panel. Look upwards or downwards, either way your eyes are briefly off of the road. Besides, after the first drive you dont notice it anymore and I have had no problems when switching back to our other vehicles.

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  Nissan Reliabilty - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ssjkyle31 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I was torn between the 2001 model and the 2000 model. Good thing I got the 2000 model which runs on regular octane gas with gas price so high now. I consider myself a typical SUV user. Someone who will probably never take this SUV off the ashpalt pavement except for the dirt & gravel road I took between Nevada and California when there was a major sig alert on I15 and that was fun.