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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  200K and still strong - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By kwkemp1 - December 30 - 6:16 pm

  Bought this new in 2004 and have never had an issue with mechanical aspects. Only 3 issues have been: driverside visor broke at 160K, plastic handles to lower 2nd row seats broke at about 120K, and radio cuts on and off. Other than these minor issues. Also this car does an amazing job in the snow as it does not slide.

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  350 Z IS OUT OF CONTROLL - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By RAYTACOMA - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL BMWS INCLUDING A 2001 M3, AND OVERALL MY 350Z IS THE MOST EXCITING, EYE CATCHING CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I HIGHLY RECOMEND IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A SPORTSCAR.

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  Maxine takes me for a ride!!! - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By nismohack - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Maxine loves to get up and go all of the time, and no exceptions. She is so reliable and will drive in any weather. Front-wheel drive and plenty of power to back it up with, this is the best car I have ever bought, and a good investment. She has 113000 miles and is just being broken in.

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  Nissan builds quality - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Luinsan - December 30 - 10:00 am

  This Nissan is tops in quality inside and out. The performance ranks high with its new transmission and car like handling. Passengers of all sizes will appreciate its room and comfort. We compared a lot of SUVs and the Nissan Murano bested them all.

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  MY NEW 350Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By MVERNICE - December 30 - 10:00 am

  A LOT OF FUN. GREAT BUY FOR THE MONEY

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  Z Roadster is one fine ride! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Scott Mann - December 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is everything and more than what I expected. I have a long history with Nissan, but this is my first Z car and convertible. The power, ride, handling, and overall experience of this car is the best Ive had of any vehicle Ive ever owned (Ive had Lexus, Toyota, Ford, Buick, Acura, Honda, Pontiac, Mazda, etc.). Ride is superb, body is rigid, and top-down motoring is a truly enjoyable experience due to excellent wind management, even on the interstate! If you even think you might want this car...go drive one. Youll leave the dealership with it. I did...traded my 02 Maxima SE 6 speed for it.

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  withholding judgment - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By murdoch - December 30 - 10:00 am

  The power train is great. Smooth, quiet and quick acceleration. The engine is definitely the best feature of this vehicle. But reliability is a question and quality of interior is not on level of Camry or Accord. Still thinking that the wiser choice would have been the Accord; but will withhold judgment so long as the reliability is much better than average.

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  BEST CAR FOR THE PRICE RANGE - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By kaymonster - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for almost three months...one word, AWESOME. The engine truly is remarkable! Real fast city or highway. Definetly one of the sharpest looking sedans on the road, but dont take my word for it....buy one and see how many oohs and ahhs you get.

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  I got what I wanted - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Carl - December 30 - 8:56 am

  I wanted a vehicle comparable to my 2004 Pontiac Vibe which has 110,000 miles and has been perfectly reliable. I also wanted a vehicle that is smoother and quieter than the Vibe, which I still love despite noisy and expensive tires. The Versa fills the bill, is a little more maneuverable and takes less effort to drive. Visibility is a little better too. Fuel economy is comparable, Versa being better in the city and the Vibe slightly better on the highway. For me the Versa is plenty quick (like the Vibe). I like the quiet, the Blue Tooth, the jack in the ratio that lets me use my $30 XM radio.

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  Owner - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By D Dilzell - December 30 - 3:26 am

  I have had this car since December and researched MANY others prior. This 4 cyl operates like a 6 and is good I am getting 25-18 MPG. I have been a Mazda purchaser sinc 1988, so this is a new experience but so far, so good! The only thing I notice is some sort of fan that has a "whining" sound to it -- mechanically it operates great.