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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  lumpy, bumpy - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Bose - October 21 - 12:10 pm

  Very nice car. Fun to drive on the smooth road. i like the Bose stereo.

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  Much better than a lot of 4x4s - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By josh - October 21 - 11:36 am

  I just purchased this vehicle not that long ago after having a 2000 ford ranger with the works done to it. Same size gas tank but the Xterra goes at least 100 miles more on a tank and the cab noise, ride quality, and acceleration are much better than that on the ranger. Keeps up with the average car on the highway very easily and so much fun to drive. I highly recommend.

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  Very fun car. Reliability can be so-so though. - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By ace340 - October 20 - 10:06 pm

  I purchased this car used in 2009. I have the 3.5 SE trim with pretty much all available addons. This car is very fast and handles extremely well, its a slick car. Good interior too, although getting a little dated in 2014. Unfortunately my reliability has been so-so and Ive had to shell out some expensive repairs. Timing chain, Two O2 sensors, Crankshaft positioning sensor, Catalytic converter (OUCH!). I have 86k miles too, mostly freeway driving. When this car is up and running its a blast to drive, but reliability can be really spotty sometimes. The car does rattle sometimes too when driving, but nothing too alarming with the music on.

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  I Love My Armada. - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By V - October 20 - 2:13 pm

  I Just Love My Armada. I have Nothing more to say.

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  the best z yet - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By anthony - October 20 - 5:53 am

  this car is all about fun, its not your family truckster,its pure sports car ,if youre worried about a cup holder at a speed of 140 go buy a sport utility, you will be too busy having fun to drink

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  Yes sir!! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Peggy - October 20 - 4:23 am

  I am a 45-year old mother of five and can I say owning this car has been the most fun! My older kids all want to drive it and show it off to their friends. The younger ones think its such a treat whenever I let them go for a ride in it. The whole look of the exterior and interior screams luxury sport. And the Code Red color sure does turn heads.

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  I heart VQ30DE!!!!! (maxima motor) - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By IOWAEXPLORER - October 20 - 2:26 am

  I actually sold my 2nd maxima last year, but wanted to share my experience. First and foremost, there is so much to be said about the amazing 3.0 v6 standard in every maxima. Though 190 hp does not sound like much, this car will beat v8 muscle cars! Thats right! I owned both in 5 speed configurations, and have mixed reviews on the manual tranny...quality seems somewhat subpar for nissan....clutch is weak and expensive to replace. Clutch hydraulics gave me problems in both my 97 and 99. Transmission is questionable, but luckily never gave out on me. I recommend the 98 model, as the 99s nearly all have coil pack issues that are aggrivating. Maxima is a heck of a good all around car.

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  My first Nissan - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Brad - October 19 - 11:56 pm

  Although a little slow on the uptake, once the sentra is moving, boy does it move! Some friends and I took mine to Florida right after i got it and i didnt hear one complaint about small back seat or anyone being uncomfortable and my friends are honest with me. This is a wonderful new Sentra and i hope its just the beginning of new things to come! Seems to me like they are raising it up like that altima which is far superior to me than the maxima.

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  Nice & Slow - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Ben - October 19 - 10:56 pm

  Great truck, nice looking, great mpg, very slow. I have an auto with 63,000. Something squeaks when i go over bumps.

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  awesome car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By 01sentrase20 - October 19 - 8:03 pm

  This car has been a blast to own and I am glad i made my choice of a nissan versus a saturn i was also looking to buy.