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 SUV For The Money - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By simon - August 2 - 7:20 am

  I was looking at the Lexus RX 350 for months along with other SUVs but I finally decided to get the 2008 SE Pathfinder. After looking at options and the price of the 08 Pathfinder I figured I could not go wrong with this purchase. There is a big difference between the 08 to the 07 so dont be fooled. I got the SE loaded out with the leather package and premium sound. I also got tint thrown in and went with the extended warranty with tire replacement. I have had it for about a week and love the car and the ride. If you get an SE model, make sure you get a cargo mat, the rubber tends to scratch up easily.

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  2006 sentra - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By suepoo1 - August 1 - 5:05 am

  we should all get togeather and swarm nissan and make them fix this fuel pump problem. to many having that problem

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  Summary opinion of my 2004 quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By JAMES BROWN - August 1 - 2:43 am

  From the first moment sitting behind the wheel i felt this seat is the most comfortable seat that i have ever sat in and this van gives me a feeling of confidence even in the heaviest traffic, due to the drivers view. The styling is way ahead of the other vans, kind of racy looking and not a typical shoebox style. My passengers love riding in it, i have tried out the various seating positions just to get a feel of the ride and found that i agree with them. I had to pick up 6 pvc pipes that were 10 ft.Loom by 3 inches. That were no problem in fitting them in with room to spare. This is a vehicle that i plan on keeping for a long time.

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  fun to drive - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By win - July 31 - 10:23 pm

  i test drove all the others dealers and i could not find one truck i like driving and all the nissan trucks as well. i all most walk out of the dealer and went home, but i walk the last dealer and found this little compact truck o4 and test drove it and i loved to drive it. it drove like a car. it has nice looks, the bed is just wright for me small, it handles just like a nissan, breaking is fast, it could be a little faster at low speeds, but when you are at 60 and above i found out that this little truck will get up and go (looking down 85mph), and having the ac on in the summer and high 90s i get better gas 325 miles to the tank not bad for 16 gals.

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  Fantistica! - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Carl VP - July 31 - 5:13 pm

  Ive driven Avalons in past, and an XKR convertible, time for a change. My Maxima has every option but spoiler and Music Box. Ive driven 500m, what an exhilarating experience! I havent ramped them up side by side yet but I believe the Maxima in sport shift is nearly if not as fast 0-60 as the Jag with similar agility in the corners. It would take a lot of practice to beat sport shift mode using the manual mode paddles. Dont like feel of the road, instantaneous, exacting, spirited and nimble response to commands (equal or better than the XKR) forget it. Pedal to the metal passing a semi dogging it, over the distance of the rig, WOW! speedometer north of 100 MPH pulling back in.

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  New Car On The Block - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan - July 31 - 12:53 pm

  I just bought my Altima and love it for the most part. The Navigation system is great, even though alot of roads dont exist (according to the NAV). Strange how newer roads are on it and mine that has been here 6 years is not! ABS not being standard is just plain stupid! I found that our the first day I had the car. It was raining and i had and emergency stop and the car slid a long way but I did get stopped. Why is it that my Hyundai I own that cost 15,000 has 6 airbags and the Altima only 2? Guess Nissan doesnt care for our safety too much! Squeaks shouldnt exist at only 1500 miles! My gauges are what is making the noise.. Cheap plastic!

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  2004 Nissan Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Brian - July 31 - 2:10 am

  After purchasing this minivan for what we thought was superior design, quality and innovation we are very disappointed. The cd/radio was replaced, the rear heat is terrible (blows cool air) which the dealer told us is normal, the tires are garbage, the panel on the rear door over the license plate light pulled off and now the three dials associated with the temperature controls on the center consule are not lighting. That is the first and last of Japanese vehicles.

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  Not bad... - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Adrienne S - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Fast as hell for a little four and an automatic (My son is yet to teach me stick, so no Spec V for me). But the build quality is so much lower than my past three Altima SEs. Numerous problems with the brakes and even the parking brake (it was not holding the car). Also body hardware is cheap. Happy with the aftermarket leather. Car has refinement issues, and the driver- comfort level needs improvement. But it is a blast to drive and turns heads, since people confuse the front fasia with a body kit. But why did they take it off on the 04s? It looks less agreesive. Oh well. Hopefully it will hold up through the end of its lease in 05.

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  PRETTY DAMN CLOSE TP PERFECT - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By DANNAD - July 31 - 2:00 am

  WELL, I DROVE A LOWERED, 2 DOOR INTEGRA FOR 5 YEARS, THEN I DECIDED TO GET SOMETHING A LITTLE BIGGER. IM STILL TRYING TO GET USED TO ALL THE ROOM. ITS GOT THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF ROOM FOR A MONSTEROUS SYSTEM IN THE TRUNK, AND THATS WHAT MINES GONNA HAVE!!!! AND I HAVE HAULED ABOUT A 1600 LB LOAD NO PROBLEM, EVEN IN 2WHEEL DRIVE!

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  luv this car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By blu - July 31 - 2:00 am

  im not one bit sorry that i bought this car! it is worth every penny