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 little car, bad starting, tire leak - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By tire sensor - September 3 - 3:00 pm

  We bought a used Versa with 10,000 miles on it. We drove some other smaller cars and liked the ride and space of the versa. Have been to the dealer or tire shop three times so far to get the tire sensor leak fixed. Have also had inconsistent starting, takes three times to start sometimes. Am taking to dealer to fix.

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  ALTIMA 3.5 SE SEDAN - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Brandon - September 3 - 2:40 pm

  Car is a blast to drive. The 3.5 mated to the CVT tranny is fantastic. The combination gives immediate throttle response and will push you back in the drivers seat. The handling is great also. Very sure- footed around corners and on the freeway. Steering is tight and responsive. Quality touch and feel to the interior. Well built and stylish. Alternator had a problem (important to note that the car still started and drove fine) and was grounding out on the frame somehow only six weeks after purchase (This is my fourth Nissan and all have been very reliable). Dealer fixed without question and back on the road enjoying car the next day. Drives and feels like a $45K car

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  I love my Maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By butterflychick - September 3 - 1:13 pm

  I love my Maxima. I have had no problems with the breaks. The interior is great. The exterior is great. I have recently test driven some smaller cars and found that the Maxima has spoiled me. The Bose sound system is great and the Maxia hold its value. The tires are expensive and never in stock. That is the only complaint I have.

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  VERY fun car - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By mike - September 3 - 1:00 pm

  excellent performance! Gas mileage very good for such power. Interior construction a little average compared to most foreign cars. Looks better with the top down. 156MPH more than anyone should use; but very fun to drive. Handles like a true sports car should. Off the showroom floor just a very hot car!!!

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  Put about 50k miles with no problems - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By Emily McDonald - September 3 - 7:49 am

  This is my 2nd Altima, which I purchased after my 2002 Altima starting costing me more money with repairs at ~130,000 miles. I bought it from a dealer with 32k miles on it, and it had previously been a rental car. Ive got about 85,000 miles on it and have owned it for 3 1/2 years. Its required ONLY routine maintenance - changed the oil regularly, new brakes, new tires, etc. I love how roomy it is, the trunk is huge and plenty of space for driver and passengers. It handles well in the snow and rain. I drove it in upstate NY for a couple years with all-season tires and never got stuck. Ive taken it on a few long road trips, and the seats can be a little uncomfortable after awhile (but what car isnt a little uncomfortable after 8+ hours!). Im planning to keep this car for a few more years and then maybe move on to my 3rd Altima.

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  1999 Nissian Maxima GLE - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By mac3326 - September 3 - 7:36 am

  Excellent 4 dr Car, would buy again (now with 120 k -Extremly reliable (no break downs) -I replace battery every 3 years regardless ( no extra stress on vehicle and dont have to worry that battery will wear out prematurely or stress out alternator) -has timing chain, no worrys for water pump -Just changed out struts, they were good but I had to buy tires, evanly worn, (HydroEdge 90,000 mile tire again) -Changed pads at same time (cer. so the breaks wont squeak -changed speakers fininaly wore out -EXCELLENT CAR, EXCELLENT CAR!!!!

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  Death Trap - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Altima_Death_Trap - September 3 - 3:06 am

  Dont buy this or any other Nissan. Nissan is not standing behind its product and charging for repairs on a recall. My car stalls and Nissan knows why but refuses to fix their faulty product. Cam and crank sensor need to be replaced or your car will stall. Nissan refuses to fix this at their cost stating that it reprogramming the ECM fixes this. Well it does not and they know it. I am never buying a Nissan again and I suggest that you dont either....unless... you have a death wish. FYI it stall on turns. No ABS, power brakes, power steering and all that good stuff that you need to control your car.

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  Very good commute car - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By kangaroo - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car for commute purpose. With Synergy Package. Worth the price.

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  Built to Last - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Phil - September 3 - 2:00 am

  When it came time for our family to buy an SUV, we looked at all of the options. We narrowed our choices to the Lexus RX300, Acura MDX,Infiniti QX4, and the Pathfinder. All had similar engines and cargo space, so my decision was based on reliability and value. The Pathfinder had all of the options that the competition had, except for the MDXs 3rd seat. I interviewed other owners and they both had many great things to say of the Pathfinder. However, they had the older engine that wasnt up to the task of the mountain passes here in Colorado. Nissan has fixed that with the new 3.5L VQ engine that makes 240 hp.

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  Built to Last - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By phil - September 3 - 2:00 am

  When it came time for our family to buy an SUV, we looked at all of the options. We narrowed our choices to the Lexus RX300, Acura MDX,Infiniti QX4, and the Pathfinder. All had similar engines and cargo space, so my decision was based on reliability and value. The Pathfinder had all of the options that the competition had, except for the MDXs 3rd seat. I interviewed other owners and they both had many great things to say of the Pathfinder. However, they had the older engine that wasnt up to the task of the mountain passes here in Colorado. Nissan has fixed that with the new 3.5L VQ engine that makes 240 hp.