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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  Great Car!! - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By pike1701 - May 23 - 11:06 pm

  If your thinking about buying the Civic, or Corolla take notice of the Sentra... Instead... Why? 14.5 Gallon Fuel tank... 27-34 MPG... That means you will get at least 350 miles or 400 deepending on how you drive and where you drive. I have put 500 Miles plus on the car since getting it in mid October. And it has given me my moneys worth back in Gas... I had an old Dodge Neon 2000 ES and all it did was eat gas on a 9 Gallon tank... I only got 90 miles... Yes that car lasted me a full 11 years... But it had to go the Transmission was going.

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  Love it so far - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By pinenut - May 23 - 11:23 am

  I love this truck. The only thing I dont like is the snow builds up on the roof due to that storage compartment and the rails. Its a pain when it turns to ice and starts to slide around up there. MPG as advertised. I live in the snow and this vehicle can get me anywhere I need to go.

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  2000 Quest a good vehicle - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By beamingup - May 23 - 9:13 am

  For a van, this is an economical and reliable model (much better than the Ford Windstar I owned previously). No major repairs required, just tires, oil changes, transmission fluid change. It has recently become noisier (air leaks, rattles, body integrity issues - NOT the engine - it is fine). Seats are not as comfortable as other vans - could use a little more support and/or padding, as well a little more leg room for rear passangers.

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  Nissan Frontier - Great Small Truck - 2014 Nissan Frontier
  By Rob Bjur - May 23 - 3:08 am

  5 sp auto trans is always trying to upshift to increase gas mileage when it might be more appropriate to remain in the lower gear a little while longer. Always tries to maintain an rpm of about 1000.

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  Maxima love. - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Jeff - May 23 - 2:14 am

  No complaints except for the typical radio problems. Other then that I love this car, I have owned a few Nissan cars and trucks and this is bye far the best. Got my first Maxima 03 SE with 174,000 and its still like a new car. Love it. And not to mention only paid $1,800. Best deal ever.

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  the best - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By mark connolley - May 22 - 5:33 pm

  The Cube is an odd ball but an eye catcher. It drives great, it is getting average 33mpg. The base model has pwr windows,locks,ac and great sound system. I work out of it and the seats fold down to give me plenty of room. The Cube is on a Stanza chassis which is a lot better ride on bumpy roads than my wifes Versa. thanks nissan

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  Took the plunge from FORD - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By Rickter - May 22 - 2:33 pm

  Set out to buy a Ford Ranger 4X4. Ford would not deal but Nissan made me a great deal. The Truck is awesome. Very Strong for a mid size. I need a tight turn radius. No wheel hop with this truck. Full size is way too big. They cant fit between many trees when 4 wheelin The wheels truly unlock and truly lock when you need it. Very nice ride. Interior is nothing to write about but nice enough. Love the 6 speed. Gas mileage average. I wanted the maneuverability in a mid with good pulling power for my HD trailer. Very nice tires and wheels stock on the Pro4X. Bed Tie down system is awesome. Test drive it, you will see.

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  sooooo happy - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By brand - May 22 - 10:30 am

  This is probably the best car i have owned. My last car was a Caddy CTS and this car blows it away. on performance and pickup it is wonderful. My only complaint is the seat heaters never seem to get hot enough.

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  Excellent Car - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By pbacon3 - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I liked my first Maxima so much that I bought another. I am about to buy my third. I bought one in 1996, and another in 1998.

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  I really like but its noisy! - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Torn Between - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased the Sentra XE model and fell in love with the look of the car. What I found out after a day of driving around town at speeds of 70- 80mph, was the whistling that the car makes. Also, the brakes make an unusual chirpping noise when letting off of brake. I like the car but between the whistling and chirpping, I wonder if I would want to tolerate it for a few years.