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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  Dont miss the Audi - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Doctor Liz - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my Audi A6 Quattro on this car and thought that I would miss the comfort. I dont, the Murano rides great, and is very quiet. I have only driven it 1200 miles, so the gas mileage isnt what I would like, but it isnt much less than the Audi. I sure get lots of people asking me about it, and it is a real hit with my family and friends.

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  Not as expected - 2009 Nissan Sentra
  By leonardosd - June 2 - 10:58 pm

  Purchased the car new in march 2009, in Mexico. Not as easy buying a new car here. Inmediately had problems with the breaks, always made a lot of noise. Dealer couldnt fix it, arguing they were eco-friendly. Besides that, tyres got worn on outside edge in 1 year. Again, dealer said it was normal. Had transmission problems just after the third year, when the warranty passed. Luckily, I had the extendend warranty, and they covered everything. After that, the engine started making weird noises, and dealer said I needed a new one. Apparentely, a cilinder got deformed. (Seriously). When this happened, I was through with it. Previously had a 99 Altima, never complained with it.

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  Glad we Leased - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By brownhoback - June 2 - 8:56 pm

  We got this vehicle a year ago on a lease. Loved the car. The heater display will not come on sometimes when you first turn it on, after about three miles down the road it turns on. We had to take it in and the dealership did the recall repair on the airbag, since then we have had to take the car in four more times because the no airbag light was coming on when there was someone in the passenger seat. Of course it didnt do either thing when we took it in (record it). A clip fell off the undercarriage. Now recently our keyless/remote system is not working properly. Weve had to use the key to get in and then button start it (the screen said no key), turn off and turn on again to drive it.

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  Need Help! A/C & Battery - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Operational Problems - June 2 - 7:40 pm

  Getting foul smell from A/C. Have to open window its so bad. We leave air circulation on to dry out, but this does not help. Dealer suggested scented spray for $82 every 6 mos. Possibly mold & not good for health. Need help! Also, battery too weak for operational demands. Accidentally left push button on, battery dies within 30 minutes. Dealer will not provide more powerful battery for this high end model. Also, vents on dashboard reflect in windshield restricting your view.

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  2006 Nissan Murano S - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Murano S - June 2 - 6:23 pm

  I have been driving my Murano for approx 5 months. It drives and handles very well. I am 6 3" tall and have plenty of head and leg room. With the CVT transmission you dont feel any shifting. My wife likes the dual climate controls.

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  Very pleased with the cost-benefit - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By jefffleming61 - June 2 - 3:46 am

  I bought this as a "first car" for my daughter in 2008. Honestly, either my wife or I would like to drive it full time! We took a family of 4 on a weeklong beach trip (10 hours one way drive). It was amazingly comfortable and zippy even with 4 adult passengers. My wife calls it the zip zap. The CVT makes it accelerate like a golf cart (on steroids). Just puss the gas pedal and off it goes as fast or as slow as you want. No herky jerky gear changes. As a teenager, my daughter just puts gas in it and goes. We havent been back to the shop for any reason other than normal maintenance. Im very, very happy with this vehicle.

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  Nissan comfort - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Robb - June 1 - 11:13 pm

  Great car wife loves it drive great parking highway lots of get up power with shifting speed when needed.

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  Love my new 07 maxima SE w/ NAV, loaded - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By lisa - June 1 - 6:16 am

  I had an 04 maxima SE, traded for a 2005 honda accord Hybrid (big mistake) now back into a new 2007 maxima SE loaded w/ leather, NAV etc. Much improved over the 2004 model. SO much more fun to drive than the honda! This car is very luxurious, feels like youre in a really expensive ($45k) import. Great buy for the price. I bought a demo w/ 2k miles on it. LOVE this Maxima!

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  So far so good - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By brian - June 1 - 4:03 am

  I bought my pathfinder over a year ago for two thousand dollars. It had 213,000 miles on it. I now have 216,000, so I dont drive very much. It is a good car for driving around town, but sometimes it gets shaky on the freeway. It will rock back and forth until I slow down a little or speed up. It has been a reliable car so far. After I purchased it last year, I replaced the timing belt, water pump, and belts because I did not know when they were done last. I have never used the four wheel drive.

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  Altima-Good Choice - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Ken - May 31 - 6:26 pm

  I use Edmnuds reviews all the time so I figured Id add a review on the car I own. I did the usual research on reliable, safe cars with good fuel mileage and although the Accord and Camry are good cars I just felt the Altima was as good and a lot better looking. The Mazda 6 was the only car I thought that had a look that could compete with the Altima but the 6 seemed more like a sport coupe and less like a sedan (which I understand many people like). Mechanically Ive had no problems with the car. Overall I am very pleased with my purchase, and judging by the number of Altimas I see on the road Im assuming others are too.