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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  I felt it is for Older people 45+ - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Sam Hourani - April 3 - 5:20 pm

  When i first bought it i was thrilled with the looks of the car especially the black (the best color on an Altima) and loved the Bluetooth system, start button and the intel. key system and so on. but thinking i got a sporty car every-time i see this car on the street i see a 45+ person driving it(with all due respect). now i reached 10,500 km and want to sell it for this reason mostly. i thought it was a sporty car but i was wrong.

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  Excellent Mid-Size Truck - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Hal - April 2 - 11:46 pm

  I traded a 2008 Silverado extended cab for a truck w/ a smaller footprint that still had some power. The V-6 has plenty, but better mileage.I also wanted a real crew cab. Ive read knocks about this trucks turning radius, but its a huge improvement over the huge Chevy. The Pro-4X package is rugged and came loaded with options, but theres no doubt youre in a truck. Fun to drive and a good- looking truck, much better than the Tacoma that I also considered. The Toyotas dont come with as many options. This is a quality-built and reasonably-priced truck for what you get. Great in snow, even in 2WD.

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  Love my car, but I think Nissan lied! - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Justen Ramirez - April 2 - 2:54 am

  Ok so my car is a 2.5SL I have push button start LED taillights, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, leather seats, but I dont have power or heated seats no heated steering wheel. The standard radio and hubcaps! How is this an SL? When I see S models with power seats??? I think they just stuck S, SL, on anything in 2015. Wont catch Honda doing that if its a EX-L it has alloys, sunroof and leather For sure!

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  Indifferent - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By JW - April 1 - 10:16 pm

  Deep down, I do like my car. However, at 30,000 +/- miles, both front and rear brakes needed replacing. Ive had a flap fall off the underside of the car because the bolt holding it in just fell out. Does not do well with cold weather starts, nor with any sort of snow build-up in wheel wells. Car is not designed well for a cold- weather environment. (Handles alright in the snow/slush with the right tires) Conversely, I love to drive it in the summer, it zips right along, fun to drive, looks great rolling down the road. Just wish it got better mileage, and was a better winter car.

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  Nissan Built Tough - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Santa fe high Demons - April 1 - 8:23 pm

  This Truck is awesome its reliable and very confortable, its a tough truck for everything, its fuel economy is great i got 26 gallons to a mile from the truck on the highway and it said i was only able to get 20 but i got 26. its good on gas and its built like the old pick up trucks. Nissan is making a sprint to the top of trucks.

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  Nissan Murano - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Traci - April 1 - 11:23 am

  Great ride, good fuel mileage, nice to look at, comfortable. I love almost everything about this car.

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  out and about where you cant find me!! - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By The Chadd - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I am or better yet "WAS" a die hard 4- runner fan. Now after the luxury craze took over our beloved suvs I had to look else where to replace my 1993 4- runner with the same ruggedness that an suv should have. The Xterra fit the mold perfectly. The Xterra has been everything my older 4-runner was and more.

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  Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Christopher Lalucis - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The Armada is great in performance. The interior has plenty of room for everyone. Exterior styling is not to bold. Noise inside the cabin can be a little loud.

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  mo juice - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By the angler - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the Murano. It has every thing I need or want. The vehicle drives like a luxury car, not a suv.Its very comfortable to drive. I do a lot of highway driving and the Murano is very good on gas.

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  The Perfect SUV - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By me duh - April 1 - 10:00 am

  A great, stylish, car thats fun for everyone! Its awesome! I love it! 100%, its just too awesome!