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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  WHAT A CAR!!! - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By KRONNMANN - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive waited 3 years to get a Maxima. Well worth the wait! I went with a black SE 6 speed with black leather interior. The only thing that I did not get with this car was the Navigation System. All I have to say is WHAT A CAR!!! I have had the car only 2 weeks and I already have 1500 miles on it! Just drive one of these and you will want one too.

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  More then you expect - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By About2000 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up a Maxima SE with sunroof for $1,000 under invoice. Love the majestic blue color. Interior is great. It is hard to imagine any car that is drasticaly better. Feels like a $40,000 car. One of the best sport sedans out there.

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  Stay Away - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Mad Max - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car stinks, its a rattle trap. The resale of the car is terrible. The suspension feels like it came from a truck. Stay away from this car at all costs. I should have bought a Acura TL-S or Lexus IS 300 instead.

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  Very Unhappy - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Mark_ace7 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  If it drove as good as it looks, I would be very happy. My stick grinds into 2nd and 3rd and the dealer says its normal. The car also vibrates a great deal from external noise (other cars, trucks, etc..) The vibration is strong in the stering wheel, pedals, and stick. I want my old car back.

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  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By frogger - September 20 - 1:06 am

  This car comes with it all. Great ride, great power, great mileage and great looks.

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  brakes no good - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By r palumbo - September 19 - 8:40 pm

  I got my 2004 titan in 5/2004. At 1280 miles, bad steering vibration due front brakes. They resurfaced rotors& put new on brake pads.The 2nd time 300 miles. They put new rotors & new pads. The 3rd time 4000 miles. Resurfaced rotors & put on new pads. The 4th time 5642 miles, had to bring it back again. Not even a year old. I am not very happy. I am not just talking about a little vibration on the steering wheel. It is pretty bad... Ride is pretty smooth, plenty of power. But the brakes are no good. Because of this I probably would not buy another Nissan. Thank you.

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  Better Get One !! - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Great Truck !! - September 19 - 10:56 am

  This Is my 6th Nissan Truck. I have had a 1990, 1997, 2002, 2006,2007,2010. All the trucks were very good in every way. The 2010 has gobs of power. I have always had the 4 cy till know. I like the 6 cy but if gas goes up a lot I would likely go back to the 4cy. I like the manuel trans. I have had in on all my Nissans. Truck is quality inside and out.

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  WOW - 2010 Nissan GT-R
  By Bill G - September 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is everything youve read, and more. Ive owned 3 Ferrari, 2 Jaguar,3 Corvette, 1 BMW M6, none come close in performance/ value/ dollar.

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  Incredible car! - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Antalian - September 18 - 8:20 pm

  This car is super awesome and fun to drive! The 2.5L in my Spec V pulls hard and always has more power to offer. Its surprisingly powerful for a straight 4. I drove it very hard on the 1st tank and still got 26 MPG out of it. But this car shines the most when you take it out on country roads and take some corners at speeds that dont seem like it should be able to handle, but it does handle them, VERY nicely. Im the 2nd owner and its got 85,000 miles and its never any problems.

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  Great Auto - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Happy owner - September 18 - 4:06 pm

  Have had this auto for 6 months and could not be more pleased. Rides great, good power, well made and like the cvt transmission.