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 love it! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By stacyleenolan - August 28 - 6:30 am

  Love my Murano. It is smooth riding and I feel secure in it. The gas economy is much better than my last car a Nissan Pathfinder. The Murano is so stylish and comfy inside. I absolutely love it even though Ive only had it for few weeks I recommend it already!

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  So reliable - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Picky - August 27 - 10:30 am

  I have had the Xterra since new and love it. I have had only one mechanical issue and that was the A/C TCA (thermal control amplifier)causing the a/c compressor to kick on and off. I changed it myself. I carry all my sporting goods in the back with plenty of space left over. Backseat passengers have plenty of legroom. The front seats are extremely comfortable for long trips. For those complaining of interior plastic, I use Aerospace 303 on all plastic surfaces and they all look new. The paint has looked great since day one. I upgraded the sound system as stock system was lacking. It is extremely cheap to maintain. Parts are dirt cheap for it.

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  My 04 Titan has been a good truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By 04 TITAN - August 27 - 5:13 am

  I really like this truck. At 40,000 miles it drives like new, no problems. I like how the rear doors open out of the way. Tie down system in the bed is very handy.

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  LUV MY MURANO - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By VINNY W - August 26 - 9:46 pm

  Went from infiniti i35 to murano,i think it rides as nice if not better.cvt tranny is silky smooth & nissans 3.5 v6 is the best engine ive driven.baught it with tour pkg. That gives you about all you could need.heated seats are great for my bad back. Also auto clim control does all it should at the push of one button.it also has xm sat radio 130 choices all in cd quality.best of all this comes in a package that look like nothing else on the road!!!

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  I love this car!! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By JackieMcGillis - August 26 - 11:53 am

  I have had my 2005 Maxima for 3 1/2 months and still get a thrill when getting in it! I look for excuses to take it out! I researched the Acura TL and the Camry along with this one, and the Maxima came out way ahead. My husband (who is not a car fanatic) even loves getting in it. The space inside is just perfect for our family of 4. I get a kick out of the looks and comments I get when out driving . You cannot go wrong with the Maxima.

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  The Best Yet - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mikeurbo - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I am the original and Ive owned two Explorers and a Bravada and the Pathfinder is the best. Love driving it to a from work. Looks very rugged in SE trim. Needs more horsepower but has great torque-I use it to tow my boat and I pulled 2 tree stumps with it.

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  Nice car to the MAXIAMA. - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By JimmyD. - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought used SE Limited. Very sweet car. Super quick, very responsive, and comfortable. Plenty of power. Mine has all the toys,power/heated seats,leather,moonroof,spoiler,alloys, traction control,Bose stero, etc. Good room in the cockpit. Rear seats are roomy as well.

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  The S.U.V that is self-explanatory. - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Charles M. - August 25 - 9:00 pm

  I like this suv. Better than first suv, 1995 honda passport. The interior is comfortable for the family and me. I enjoyed the trip with this vehicle to the poconos, especially with my broth was in the third row slept like a cat. Expect the purrs were snores. I even took my pathfider to atlantic city and came back with just a half tank of gas (200 miles), very well fuel efficient. The honda passport was worse, just getting back needs a full tank & at the same time wasting money. When i drive my pathfinder it doesnt fell boring, but excited. I currently have a GPS & getting lost is fun, especially driving an suv with power and comfort. This is my review & im not saying it is the best one.

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  Classy Funmobile - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Diane K. Sutliff - August 25 - 3:30 am

  Easy in, easy out, sitting higher than a car. Spacious interior, well designed. Seats lay down for extra space. Good for my work. Gas mileage;better than other SUVs. Handles like a dream..feel like Im in a subway car with no shifting of gears. So smooth. Pickup? Not like some, but very adequate for my needs. Exterior; not rugged looking like some SUVs, but a little more of a ladies SUV. In 5 mo.,the only negative has been some poor reception on the radio. Perhaps need a new antenna. Husband has long legs; fits him perfect. Petals are retractable. I feel dressed up when driving it. I like that. I like the classy wheels. Good all around visibility;thats important. Try my funmobile...

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  Very few problems. LOVE this car! - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By dwnhmokie - August 25 - 2:10 am

  I bought my 06 Pathfinder in November of 2006. It had previously been a rental vehicle and had 29000 miles on it. Today the odometer reads almost 119,000 miles. I hesitate to write this review because I dont want to jinx myself, but we really dont ever have problems with it. The only issue that has ever come up is the fuel sensor that needed to be replaced two or three years ago. The vehicle was still under warranty, so not a big deal. I LOVE MY PATHFINDER! I average about 18 mpg and that is probably equal time in the city and the highway. We took it on a trip to North Carolina two years ago (over 2000 miles for us) and on the straight stretch of I-40, we got about 24mpg.