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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  Nice car - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By vincevw329 - September 17 - 3:42 am

  My wife just picked this out and has been driving it a month now. I drive it on the weekends and we just took a small road trip. I drive a 1yr old VW on a daily basis. The experience with the dealer was very nice. The salesperson was knowledgeable and helpful and seemed genuinely looking out for our best interest. The service department was also very professional, we had to have a cup holder lid fixed. As other reviewers point out, the car has plenty of power, drives easy but has significant understeer. Its clear that most people recognize the car as an entry level luxury/sport sedan and thats the perception and how Nissan markets the car. Our Maxima is fully loaded in grey.

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  Just bought, so dont know what I think - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Mike - September 16 - 11:00 pm

  Just bought a new Altima SL with Conv Pkg, Conv Pkg Plus, Flr Mats, and Splash Grds. I feel I got a decent deal at $23,850 (about $1000 under invoice) and 0% financing. Two bad things happened after paperwork was signed. When I was shown how everything works, the gas door wouldnt open and the low tire pressure light wouldnt go out. Service guys left for the night, so now I have to bring it back to get fixed. Hope thats not a bad omen.

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  My Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Everett Blakely - September 16 - 7:06 pm

  I got the cheap Titan, but it is by far fancier than other makes, for a basic. The looks are great and the room is just as great. The only thing that I wish was better was the gas mpg, but I have to remember, it is a titan. Thank goodness cruise control is standard equipment, because this truck really hauls.

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  Practical and almost fun - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By NOZ34ME - September 16 - 12:10 pm

  Bought mine late May. Traded in my 99 Maxima. CVT is very smooth. Interior fit and finish is good. Dont expect 36 mpg; Ive milked this thing for all its worth, and 34 is the best I can get. Hoping the engine is just "tight" and after a few thousand miles it will get better. The radio with bluetooth is a great idea; all cars should have that feature given the number of cellphones around now. Only aggravation is the drivers sunvisor that hits the rear view mirror. Didnt any of the design engineers try that before it went into production?

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  Best bang for buck that runs forever! - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Snowie - September 16 - 10:16 am

  I got this car as a graduate student in 2000 already with 100000 miles on. 7 years later and now at 253000 miles, it still runs like the first day I got it! Ive only started to use premium maintenance parts on it 6 months ago (synthetic oil, good filters, good spark plugs which I doubt played any part in the reliability). It is still giving me up to 36 mpg hwy!! It has no rust - tiny spots on the front due to stone chips easily fixed with a tiny scraper and a touchup paint pen. Engine uses timing chain, superb reliability. Major maintenance in the 7 years was a starter, a clutch, a muffler, CV joint (shaft). Usual parts: batteries, brakes, fluids and oil, filters and struts.

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  Could be better - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Teresa - September 15 - 6:16 pm

  The sunglass holder to the left of the steering column is wasted space. Its hard to get open and closed and sometimes comes out. Ive had problems with the right front door window rattling. I had to take it back to the dealer 3 times to get it fixed.

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  200 HP Rocket! - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By tjb101084 - September 15 - 11:50 am

  I just purchased the new Spec V and was wowed right away with this thing. I traded in a 2003 Eclipse GT with a 3.0 V6 and this Spec V with its 2.5 inline 4 is a lot faster! This car rides like a car should (sporty to the teeth!) and with its big brake kit on the front, this thing stops on a dime. 0-60 in 6.7 and the 1/4 mile in 15.01. If youre looking for a sporty, fast, reliable, just all out sweet car, buy the Spec V! You wont regret it.

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  Worth the wait! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Diversity 1 - September 15 - 8:16 am

  This is a truly great truck! It handles very well and the gas mileage is decent. The interior is well thought out and the exterior is rugged, yet futuristic. The engine power is outstanding! You can do almost anything with this vehicle, it is very versatile. Nissan hit a homerun with this one! It is not a cross-over wannabe minivan!

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  "Unfortunately my Wife LOVES it!!! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Tim - September 14 - 11:43 pm

  I wanted to put some miles and seasons on my new 4x4 before I gave my review. I love it more now than when I 1st bout it. I used to own a Chevy S10 4x4 that I had to put in reverse to engage the 4x4--a real pain!!! With this 4x4on the fly, I cant wait for it to snow. Its got great ground clearance and cuts through deep snow like butter! My wife uses any excuse to drive it, I cant get her out of it. I love the spray-in bedliner with the util-trac rails. With the bed extender i go from a 5 to 6bed. Interior is very comfortable and a smooth ride. 265hp acceleration very powerful. test drove dodge durango as well. NO comparison. Gas mileage @16- 20. Could use heated outside anti-fog mirrors

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  Poor gas mileage, no suspension at all! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Alex - September 14 - 2:30 pm

  Im leasing an 08 Altima 2.5s, which Im ok with, as long as it takes me to work and back, not for fun. But I do not like a lot of things about it: GAS mileage is not going over 23.5 mpg probably like 60-40 hwy-city driving. I am not an aggressive driver, I accelerate slowly, computer shows that Im getting 30-40 mpg but its wrong all the time. It rides like there is no suspension at all, very stiff ride, noisy engine. I dont know if thats only my Altima, no good MPG, stiff suspension.