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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  A happy puppy! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By undertakker357 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Nissan has hit a grand slam home run. I traded in a 2001 Quest for this new 2004 and boy am I happy that I did. Biggest single advantage is NOT having to haul out those HEAVY center row captain chairs. Now I can easily fold down the chairs for convenience. Also larger doors makes entry to rear row easier, and overall length increase means more legroom for 2nd row passengers. Wonderful drivers seat, comfort and FINALLY legroom for us tall drivers. Love the gas and break peddel that moves, so I can finally get legroom. Also additional power of 240 h.p. engine was long overdue!

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By BILLIE - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my Altima for about two weeks but I love it so far. It looks great drives great and has alot of power. The stereo is incredible with the bose 150 watt system.

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  Wonder car! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Mike Ganino - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Nissans 2004 Maxima is powerful yet easy to handle. It has many features that make drinving it a pure driving pleasure, not the least of which is the navigation system. On dash controls for the radio are very convenient, however limited to the stations set in its memory. The heated steering wheel is a plus as well as the foldup side mirrors. Overall a great car and an A+++ in my book.

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  WOW - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Happy Marc - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. Super quiet, super smooth, super fast. I have people stop me and say how much they love my car. Its so comfortable to drive too

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  Awesome car!! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By k-3counselor - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is an awesome ride!! We have owned two Altimas (1995 and 1999) and have an Xterra(2000,4x4), and while we have loved the others, this one takes the cake!! I have the Driver Preferred package on a silver SE with black leather interior and power sunroof. Boy, does this car turn heads?! I am 34 years old and I feel like a teen when I drive this. The Bose system is superb. My 11 year old has called dibs on it when she turns 16 already. Thank you Nissan! Quality, safety, and awesome styling for less than $32K!!

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  God and my Murano Saved My Life! - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Joy - October 24 - 9:03 am

  I was in a roll over accident in my Murano and I literally walked away from the accident with out a scratch! God and my 2007 Nissan Murano saved my life. The car was totaled, but I am a walking miracle that seat belts save lives and this car is very safe! I I could, I would attach a picture so you all could see how my Murano looked after the crash. I am in the hunt now to buy another 2007 Nissan Murano!

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  Nissan Altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Connie H. - October 24 - 8:56 am

  The Nissan Altima is one of the best cars for 2005 even though it is a foreign made automobile. They have almost gotten it right. The only thing that they could upgrade is to make the passenger seat as big as the drivers and make the change holder a bit more convient as of now it doesnt hold your change. It drives great; it corners perfect; it turns on a dime; great sound system; and lastly it has pickup you just wouldnt believe.

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  Great truck, but we dont all surf Calf. - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Tim - October 23 - 11:13 pm

  The off-road X-terra I bought is a great combination suv to drive to were you want to go off road, and then to go off-road. It compares favorably with the Jeep Wrangler off-road, but gives you a lot more comfort on the highway. It also has a lot more room inside, and great storage system inside and out. Much wider and roomier than the previous X-Terras. My only major complaint is with the idiot engineerwho took the sunroof out and replaced it with that plastic bucket and cover on the roof. Now its supposed to be for wet things, like I want to put my dead fish up there, so it can drip on my roof and get baked in. NICE SMELLING TRUCK DUDE, maybe my waders after a duck hunt so they freeze in.

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  The Coupe to Buy - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By happyone - October 23 - 5:50 pm

  The Altima coupe in black with premium package is very sexy and pleasing to the eyes. High quality sport interior in black leather has a lot of class. The seats give plenty of support and are comfortable when in them for hours. Bose system sounds so crystal clear. Bluetooth works fantastic and sounds excellent. Moonroof is nice too. Great gas mileage and plenty of power with the CVT. Fun to drive. Great car for the money. Premium package worth every penny. Ive owned over 30 cars and this is one of the nicest. I compare it to my 2003 BMW 330 convertible with sport package and I feel the Altima coupe is just as nice. Great car with all the features without being pretentious!

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  Lexus vs Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Linda Carter - October 23 - 12:40 am

  I love my 2004 Murano! I feel very safe driving it. I was a little hesitate of buying an SUV but needed more room than a car provided. After seriously considering the Lexus 330,including several test drives, I found the Murano to be an excellent choice price & quality. The Murano just "felt good to drive" It did not drive like a SUV at all. I felt very comfortable & w/ adjustable seats (so many settings) I was not sitting high & didnt get the feeling of driving a truck. I LOVE IT!