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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  nice car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By josy g - May 7 - 12:33 am

  only a few more payments and shes mine. nice car to drive. always enjoyed nissan cars, four wheel discs, 16 inch tires spoiler and more. looks fine.

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  I test drove both Nissan and Toyota - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By muttley - May 6 - 10:50 pm

  I have been researching both vehicles over the past 2 months and decided to go with the Nismo Frontier Crew. I recommend everyone to test both first. The reason I chose the Nissan over Toyota was for the overall build and engineering of the truck. When you test drive the Toyota look at the liftgate then look at the liftgate on the Nissan. The liftgate on the Nissan was much thicker and more heavyduty on the Nissan. It felt like a full size truck liftgate. Also when you are test driving the Toyota spend some time and look underneath the vehicle. The components underneath seem very thin and weak where as the Nissan looks like it could take a land mine and keep going. This is a strong truck!

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  Armada - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By MIKE - May 6 - 7:53 pm

  Worst Vehicle Ive ever owned. Rattles like a "tin can". Front window/door panel rattles all the time. Dealer supposedly fixed problem but still rattles, drives me crazy! Had the brakes fail on me when approaching a stop light. Something to do with the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) module. Nissan has known about this problem and still no recall? A/C doesnt blow cold even though their is enough freon in the system. Takes up to 30-40 minutes before blowing cool, not cold. Have had two fuel injectors replaced before 40,000 miles, thankfully it was covered under my extended warranty. All in all this vehicle was poorly engineered. Would not recommend to anyone. Buy Chev. Tahoe instead!

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  Just bought 2008, 3.5 with Tech Package - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Mrdeeds - May 6 - 3:16 pm

  Great looking car! Fun to drive. Accelerates great. Nice interior look. Gauges easy to use and read. Have the navigation system. Very easy to use. Nice readout. Fuel economy is just OK. About 22 mpg combined, with 1000 miles on it. It takes a while to get used to the keyless entry with no key for the ignition. Bluetooth set up is great with cell phone. Voice recognition system is TERRIBLE for both navigating and trying to phone someone. Went to the dealer twice now with no help. It is about 40-50 % accurate, which is not acceptable to me. Navigation and phone features "gray out" once you start to drive. Supposedly a safety feature, but very annoying.

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  Great Car, only minor issues so far - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Splat - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our car for over 3 years now, and really enjoy it. Very reliable, except for some annoying squeeks in various places in the cabin (front pillars, roof liner).

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  Super Buy!!! - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Satisfied!! - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Although the fuel economy could be better, and the engine could use more horses, this vehicle is fantastic. The ride quality is superb. The interior is very quiet. The handling is great. Fit and Finish, this vehicle is outstanding. My next vehicle will definately be a Pathfinder.

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  GLACIER PEARL MURANO - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Nancy Bolin - May 6 - 10:00 am

  My check engine light came on after a short time after I purchased my vehicle. I carried it back to dealership to have it checked and to have my oil changed and tires rotated being it had approximately 5500 miles on it. I was told it was my gas cap not being put on correctly and I was surprised that I was charged $72. to check my engine light on this new vehicle. Since that time my light has continued to come on and I carried it back and they said if there wasnt something mechanically wrong with my vehicle, I would have to pay to have it checked again. Needless to say, I wasnt going to pay to have it checked again. My light is still coming on!

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  Graet Car - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By shimshy - May 6 - 10:00 am

  I realy enjoy driving this mini van

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  Best Quest ever! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By OnAQuest - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Only have had it for 1 week and we just love it! We actually feel less stress driving in it which I can possibly attribute to the extra roominess compared to a much smaller car such like an older model Niss. Altima. Smooth acceleration and good braking characteristics. We love the body styling given it. This is our first minivan and we have no regrets about it what-so-ever.

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  Fun To Drive - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Jim Valenti - May 6 - 10:00 am

  It is a great day, regardless of the weather. Either wet or dry the 350 holds the road suprisingly well. I absolutely have no fear driving my Z when the road is wet considering all of that power just under my right foot.