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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  limited exposure - 2017 Nissan Armada
  By John Larsen - October 19 - 12:25 am

  Owned the Armada for a couple of weeks and happy so far.

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  ok car, not great - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Geoff - October 18 - 8:06 pm

  Fun car to drive and own. Lots of power when you need it. A very comfortable cruiser. Quality is something to be desired. Maxima has 190 kms. Have had to replace maf, o2 sensors, struts, rotors, and tranny under warrantee. Tranny is now clunking again from 1st to 2nd. Why does nissan build rotors on a new car that are to the min thickness ? My toyota with 190 kms Ive only had to replace a block heater and tires, thats it.

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  Excellent truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By JOHN - October 18 - 2:46 pm

  I am very pleased with this truck and its performance. I also like the interior as well as the exterior style of the TITAN. I have received a lot of compliments .

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  Nissans safety standards saved lives. - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Daniel Brown - October 18 - 9:26 am

  My wife and I found out that she was pregnant, we were thrilled. The Murano surpassed all of our expectations, and Douglas Nissan of Henderson, NV gave us a great deal on a well kept 2004. we never had a problem and it felt and drove like a high end sports car. I loved the SUV, on December 5th, 2006 my mother and 8 month old daughter were hit by a lincoln doing 90+ mph, the thing is not only were the lives of two of the three most important women in my life saved, they were left nearly unscathed. My girl had a little glass in her car seat thanks to the rear passenger air curtains. My mother and daughter were taken to the hospital and discharged a few hours later. Best buy for their lives!!

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  Fits just right - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By Jason - October 18 - 4:10 am

  Just got this truck after spending the past 5 years driving an Explorer Sport, and I have to say, theres a world of difference. Was challenging finding the PRO-4X in 4wd, but Im glad I held out for the PRO-4X. Not needing a full size truck, but desiring tough off-rode performance, and comfort, the PRO-4x fits my needs perfectly. The ride is much better than my Explorers, with the 8-way adjustable (and heated) seats being the most comfortable Ive experienced personally. I drove 5 hours in it the day I bought it, and never got "tired of the saddle." The Rockford Fosgate sound system is top notch, and the Crew Cab gives me ample room to haul the kids around comfortably.

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  Noisy cabin - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Dave - October 17 - 11:39 pm

  I purchased 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum. The noise that comes from behind the dashboard is ridiculous. And there is no obvious cause. There are times I think it may be the dash itself, and other times it sounds like a cable wrapping around something. I can have the radio turned up to 10 notches on the screen, and the noise can overpower the sound from the speakers. My first "foreign" car purchase. What a disappointment.

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  Very good car - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By calshamus - October 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a very reliable car. I have 150K miles and I have only had to replace the alternator ($40). There are no rattles or squeks. A very good purchase.

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  Great Car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By roboto - October 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a good little car.

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  Just OK... - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By bdoleusa - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Good buy for what you get. When they mean "no frills," this is exactly what you get. No luxury appointments, but I wasnt going for that. Needed something to haul two large dogs, but didnt cost a bunch. I wont buy another one of these, as the ride feels as if you are on a buckboard wagon - could have had a better suspension installed.

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  THE BEST - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By wildanimal3 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought it 6 weeks ago i have 1400 miles on it. i wont change it 4 any other car. everything is best except 1 major thing, the ride is not harsh in bumps!