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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  2008 Nissan Sentra - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Lee - March 16 - 6:13 pm

  This car screams cheap build quality. Gas mileage is poor 25-28 mpg mostly highway. Uncomfortable driving position found this out over time (needs a telescoping wheel). Gray plastic interior shows every scratch from my fingernails. Looking to dump this car already. Looks great but looks are deceiving. The ride over small bumps knock you around like a wooden roller coaster.

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  Best Car Ever - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By sentradriver - March 16 - 5:16 pm

  Purchased 12/18/2000. I dont drive much so my sentry only has 150k but it has been a great car. No motor or tranny probs. Recently developed a small intermittent starting problem that I believe to be fuel pressure regulator.love this car. Hate the 07-12 body style. Love the 13 so I might go with a 14

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  Maxima SE Fully Loaded - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By YuhDunno - March 15 - 9:36 pm

  This is the best performance sedan to buy. The 5-speed auto is great and the 6-speed is awesome. The engine growl sounds sweet during its breath-taking accelerations. It has plenty of features not known to this class. For example, a heated steering wheel. This car is great!

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  2 Weeks Old - 2012 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mrcarp - March 14 - 1:51 pm

  Me again. Just used the new PF to tow crushed stone. Was able to pull 2,800 lbs. effortlessly. The truck did not sink hardly at all when the bucket loader was filling the trailer...our old 03 used to drop its tail end so much that it looked like the rear wheels would rub. I will need to get a larger drop hitch though, as the trailer is at quite an angle coming off the 2" drop from the old rig. Stay tuned...

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  SL Tech Package = Pure Luxury - 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
  By GregNice - March 14 - 4:58 am

  This car has all the bells and whistles we were looking for. The interior is nicely done and it is almost close to its "sibling" the Infiniti QX60 in terms of luxury. The ride is nice and smooth. The SL Tech Package has it all. It features the 360 degree camera, Nav, power liftgate, excellent Bose system with sub in the rear, memory driver settings, blind spot monitoring with the rear cross traffic alert. I mean too many options to list. The only downside is the cargo area. We are coming from a boxy 2012 Pilot which ate up everything in the cargo area. This Pathfinder falls a little short in that respect. The 2nd row slides easy with access to the 3rd row. I also like the option of switching between 2wd and 4wd auto. Overall we are happy with the lease we made. I also got a great deal. This is a $43,000 SUV and I am paying less than $400 month on 12k 36 month lease with just taxes upfront. We were waiting for the new Pilot but the more I see the front, I want to throw up. The thing is just ugly and boring looking like a cr-v odyssey. Plus no lease on it yet. Bye Bye Honda. Hello Nissan Infiniti!!!

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  Its Got It ALL..... - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Bunny Mom - March 13 - 4:53 pm

  I love this little muscle car..or should i say SUV. The design inside and out is modern without being over the top. And the engine is powerful, yet smooth. It has more headroom and legroom for its size than you would ever expect. I usually keep a car for a year,but this one is 2 and i have no desire to trade...its fantastic and i will have it until i need another MURANO...its my little luxury=mobile!!!!

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  Poor service - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By bosco1627 - March 13 - 11:40 am

  Two months old and 1400 miles power steering pump stopped working and vehicle was in shop for over a week. Horrible communication with service department. Will not shop there again for any vehicle.

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  nissan quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By loyolagrl - March 13 - 10:00 am

  i had doubts, my husband did all the research. but now that i have my car i love it.. smooth ride and great features

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  titan upgrade - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By titan upgrade - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I just love this titan --- 4wd is totally cool!! I love just geting stuck and dirty!!! You really need to drive this fun and exciting truck!!!

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  The best Truck on the Market - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ROBERT HODGSON - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Before Purchasing this truck I had researched it for 9 months straight,Of all trucks out there this is by far the best truck every built,with very quiet door closing,so much room in the back seats without having your knees hitting the seat in front of you.The gas mileage is very good for this truck (crew cab 4x4)getting HW 21.5 mpg,city 17 to 18 mpg.All controls so easy to reach and well designed dash board. Once the truck is up to speed on the highway,it free wheels using far less fuel-At75 mph the engine is only turning 1800 rpms.