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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  Good Value - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By #t9msacharm - September 29 - 10:13 pm

  Owned for 1 month, 5700 miles and have have noticed only 1 easy to remedy problem... major blind spot on each side that I fixed with a $3 conical mirror. Otherwise my mpg has averaged over 27, ride is quite and very similar to my 350Z and wifes Altima. Nissans arent the smoothest ride but very comparable to Honda and Toyota and the Nissan 4 cylinder on cruise does maintain highway speeds and climbing hills much better.

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  A steal at $7800 though some worries - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By DavieJ89 - September 29 - 10:06 pm

  Im a 19 yr old who bought this as his first car, and Ive had it for exactly a month now and it has been awesome but I have had a few problems with it. The exhaust emits blue smoke when I rev the engine while idling, and though nothing seems wrong the check engine light will not go off. And thats beginning to bother me. But who woulda thought a 4 cylidner engine could be so powerful yet so efficient? I can reach 0-60 in 6 seconds and I get almost 32 mpg on the freeway, the downside is the 20 gallon tank. The stereo system is amazing for something thats so standard, and the a/c is ice cold. And I always turn heads when I drive by.

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  Best Nissan - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By joe siudock - September 29 - 4:00 pm

  We are a Nissan family with three in the driveway. We traded our LE 4dr Frontier for the Titan. Rides better, seats feel better with its arm rests. Drives great on the highway. Dark blue with tan seats look great. The front looks looks so much macho. Stereo much better than the Frontiers. On top of it the Titan was cheaper than our Frontier. Mileage isnt that much of the diference from the Frontier, yet we feel safer.

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  I love my 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Zack - September 29 - 3:26 pm

  I love this car. It has style, it has performance, its economically feasible, and it is also reliable. The BOSE sound system is awesome. The red and black leather is totally unique. I feel like I am driving a German sports car rather than your typical Japanese mid-sized sedan. I bought this car right when it came out when it had zero miles on it, and now it has around 68,000 miles, and I have had zero problems with it. I plan on driving this car till the day it dies, which I do not think will be anytime soon. Thanks Nissan, you can pat yourselves on the back for making the 2005 Altima SE-R!

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  Dealer Employee Review - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Johnny967 - September 29 - 11:50 am

  Ive been a Nissan dealership employee since 1992. My last car was an 03 Altima and I was happy with it... until I saw a white 07 in our showroom. I took one for a spin around the block and I knew right then I was going to own one. As the one responsible for processing warranty claims, I look at cars from a different perspective - not from what I like, but what can easily go wrong and how much it will cost to maintain. I can honestly tell you, Nissan put a lot of time and effort into this one to get it right. This one is a winner! Its hard to believe the Maxima is the flagship of the Nissan line when they released this beauty. Maxima will be redesigned for 08 but this is top for me!

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  I love the Nissan Altima - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Will - September 29 - 6:33 am

  This is by far the most fun sedan I have ever owned. I got the special edition and I love it! Even for a four cylinder, its extremely powerful. It is the most powerful 4 to date over its competitors at 175bhp. Gas mileage isnt that bad, at about 22.8 mpg. I like this model over the revised 07 model. One of the things that make the altima great is its astronomically large rear seat. I am 64 and I am very comfortable back there even with the seats moved all the way back. Highly recomend as a used car! Even to buy over a new one.

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  It was great...what happened - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Mikey Z - September 28 - 10:00 am

  This was a great car for the first two years that I owned it. But as the miles have racked up it really hasnt help up like other Nissans Ive had. There are all sorts of nasty sounds that this car makes when accelerating and the transmission just doesnt like to be driven at anything over half throttle or itll bang around or not shift at all. Lots of pinging. The stereo has broken. The A/C is noisy. Just stuff I wouldnt expect from a Nissan. Yes...Ive had it in and out of the dealer and mechanics. Theyve replaced things...only for them to break again. Definite disappointment. Should have bought a 99.

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  good car for the price - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By punchie - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my 1.8s loaded nissan 2 days ago and so far I am very impressed with the changes/updates to the Sentra! This is my 1st Nissan and my car looks like a smaller Altima to me!! So far so good but Ill be looking out for those aformentioned mechanical problems @ 60k.

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  Quest SE - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By manudargan - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Picked up my Quest couple of weeks ago and I am happy to say that it was worth waiting for. We saw the pictures of the Quest concept last year and decided to wait. We did not like what was being offered by Toyota and Honda. Both Sienna and Odyssey are reliable and proven vehicles but there is no style. Nissan Quest on the other hand has an engine that has won Motor Trends 10 best engines 9 years in a row PLUS it has the looks. The acceleration of the vehicle is quick and powerful. Whoever has their doubts about this van, do yourself a favor and go test drive one...it will change you mind about minivans.

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  nice car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By ladymaxs - September 28 - 10:00 am

  i had to order mine,I have the radiant ember with burnt orange leather 4 seater,elite pk,navigation is fully loaded.It runs like all 265 horses are right there its a good running car I like it.I had 1990 it was cool 2