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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  Second Pathfinder - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Yoe - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Pathfinder.The first was 1997,XE, I really miss it. MY third Nissan just sold a Maxima 1982 93000.00 miles no problems.I am happy with it.Cd player ate a cd, dealer installed new one after having this vehicle for 2.5 years.Check engine light a problem took 5 tries to fix.

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  Quality???? - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By deb1823 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  My Quest has been into the dealer 6 times for warranty repairs. The dealer had to replace the heater motor. It took 3 visits before they had the right part, then it took two days to repair as no one was familiar with tearing the dash apart. Now I am waiting for another trim part to arrive as it was broken when the dash was put back together. Power sliding doors constantly made clunking noise. Immediately fixed one door, but other door took 3 tries. Also had sunroof trim replaced as it was coming off. I am extremely concerned about the long term quality of my vehicle. I believe I should have waited until they worked the kinks out to purchase this vehicle.

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  Worth every penny - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By quidam - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful vehicle with lots of room and great exterior styling.

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  Hot Number - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Alicar - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Great driving SUV. The transmission is awesome. Ive added Stainless step bars to hide the exhaust better. Really helps the looks. Fuel economy is around 18. Best has been 22. Very roomy in the back seat and the recline feature makes it seem bigger. No problems through 4500 miles. Do have a noise in the front end. It pops when changing directions with the wheels slighlty turned (i.e. backing out of a parking spot). One major complaint is the headlight swith located on the turn signal. Ive accidentally turned the lights off when signally to turn right. One click and they are out.

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  Nice car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Devone Luetzke - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Had this car for 18 months now, no complaints except seat warmer turns on when rest arm, bad design choice, but so trivial for a car of this magnatude for this price and performance reminds you got something hot under your arse...

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  wanted it to be great only good - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By jarvis - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Nice styling... BMW influence.....roomy...sterile inside..harsher ride because of low profile tires..21 mph....too fast for front wheel drive...needs 4 wheel drive like Infinity..wait till 2007

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  I love my Maxima but.................... - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By imet - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Maxima for almost a month now. I love the speed and handling. But Ive also notice a weird bumping sound coming from the back when I go over bumps on the road. Also a small ratling sound coming from the hood. I am not sure if its the air conditioner or the engine. I havent had time to take into the dealer, but will do it sometime this week, other than that I love the car.

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  for your info - 2015 Nissan Versa
  By jtobey - November 11 - 1:54 pm

  Just got my 2015 versa sadan As A Run Around Town Car It Just What It Is Its No Sportscar Lol I Drove It From Fresno To San Diego No Problem At All Handled The Grapevine Like A Champ And Gas Was Outstanding 40 Round Trip All I Have To Say Its A Great Buy Great Car For The Cheep Price specialy for todays market fresno nissan took good care of me I baught ther cheepest car and it was like I had bought a top of the line it was such a good experience for u people looking at this car its a good reliable one

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  5 Times not a Charm - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Lindagil - November 10 - 11:57 pm

  I traded my 2014 Sentra for a 2015 Altima SL in May 2015 and have had trouble with it starting 5 times now. The car is not reliable and I need something I can rely on when traveling to work, shopping, taking my Grandchildren places etc. We bought the Altima in May and in June the first incident occurred, we went to a party about 60 miles from our home, turned the car off and when we went to start it to go home, we could not depress the brake in order to get the car push button to engage. My Husband went to see if any of the guests could help and as I sat waiting, I kept trying to get it started and voila! after about 20 minutes the starter button engaged and it started. This happened again about 3 weeks later, then again in July after my Husband dropped me off at the airport he decided to do some shopping (again about 60 miles from home) and he called the dealership to report the problem, they told him to hold the keyfob next to the start button, that sometimes the fob and the starter button dont communicate when they are too far apart, huh, what???? This happened again about 3 weeks ago to me, I drove to work, got out of the car and the lock on the handle of the car did not work so I had to use my override key to lock the doors but I didnt think too much more about it until I went out to go to lunch and again, the brake pedal would not depress and the push starter did not work. I called the dealership then and they told me to call 1 800 NissanOne or something like that to get the car towed, I was calling them while sitting in the car and was playing around with the keyfob taking the override key in and out of the fob and decided to try to start the car and again, voila! the car started. This happened again today, August 12, 2015 and I did not have time to play, I called an had the car towed to the dealership. I read some reviews about the brake system but I am not sure when Nissan is going to do about the car. I feel like I really got a Lemon this time, I should have done some research.

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  Pros and cons - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Carter - November 10 - 11:33 pm

  Love the look and room of this car. We have 22" rimes and tires makes for a rough ride but looks so good. Very roomy we fit 7 adults and infant seat comfortable with bags and a stroller. I wish the AC was better in the front it is terrible! Overall we love this car and would probably purchase another if the fuel was better.