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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  Consider instead of paying for the H - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By DenverDailyDriver - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Im not sure where car magazines got it into their head that the premiere concern of most drivers is fun. Fun driving in a stop-and-go city you probably mean gunning it to the next light and cutting people off. Whee! You want fun, Mazda 3 makes more sense. For those of us who have commute on a city grid and not pick of a stable of autos, the Versa does great and is probably a better fit than the Fit. Edmunds admits in their Fit review: "However, more comfort-minded consumers may better appreciate the Nissans quieter cabin, cushier seats and higher available feature content." I saved myself $3000 over Fit prices, have more horsepower and more torque, and a 7 yr ext. warranty.

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  Love this car! - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By Paul B - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I had been convinced by my wife that my 94 Oldsmobile was on its last wheel and that I needed to buy something new. She, having lived in Ireland for two years, was looking for something great on gas and cheap on insurance. We looked at the Yaris but the salespeople at Riverside Toyota were all but snooty to us in our workout clothes. We went to Paul Walsh and they didnt think twice, grabbed the keys and let us take a test drive. It was love at first drive. We are planning to start a family so we both love the interior space and the massive trunk. I come from a very tall family and they all fit in it perfectly. I am 64 and I have plenty of headroom and legroom to drive. Get this car!

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  Great deal - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By Don - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 2011 SL 4x4 crew cab, leather, "Top of the line", very happy with it, I replaced a 2000 SE 4x4 crew cab "Top of the line" I am a Nissan addict. Test Drive one and you will be sold on it!

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  Nice to look at, fun to drive - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By vmyers - February 20 - 10:00 am

  After test-driving a Hyundai Tuscon, Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and KIA Sorrento, we decided to buy this vehicle. We traded a BMW 540i in on it, and while it obviously wasnt in that class of vehicle for handling and performance, we were more satisfied with it than the others. It is feels very solid, handles well and is nice to look at, inside and out. The technology was surprising for an SUV in this price range, as well. With under 500 miles driven so far, we cant comment on long-term reliability. But we are averaging 25 mph. in the Ozarks of Missouri (rolling hills). So far, we are very happy with this vehicle.

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  Worse vehicle I have ever purchased... - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By 1traviesa - February 19 - 6:48 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems since I purchased. Mainly the transmission. Shoddy build from the start. Defective valve body used in this year model causes the transmission to falter and high cost to repair. Manufacturer will not repair or recall. Trusted the name Nissan but now will never again buy a car from this manufacturer

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  Great SUV - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By luvmyX - February 19 - 8:30 am

  I have usually owned trucks, but I thought I would like the versatility of an SUV and I was right. I could not be happier. It comfortably accomodates my family of four plus whatever gear we need to carry. The gas mileage is about what I expected, better than the fullsize, but still pretty decent for the amount of performance you get out of the 4.0 V6.

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  Just What I Wanted! - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By vagentleman - February 19 - 3:32 am

  Have had my FWD 2011 Rogue SV for almost 3 weeks and I love it! I was driving an Infinity I30 and was looking for more versatility, better gas mileage, comfort and other amenities and found it all with the Rogue. After the 1st week of city driving I was ready to take it back to the dealer to fix the fuel gauge, I had driven 127 miles and it was still on full! Finally, it began to move - not broken, just good mileage! I find the driving experience to be very responsive. It is certainly as comfortable over rough pavement as my Infinity, gets better gas mileage and uses regular gas! I got the SL package and love the back-up camera; leather, heated seats.

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  Reliability, reliability, reliability - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By MAMACITA - February 18 - 7:50 pm

  I have had this car almost 4 yrs. Never thought I would own a foreign built car. Most reliable car I have ever had, very dependable. Hope to have it for another 4 or 5 yrs. I have only had to replace tires and brakes. Love the car, love the ride, love everything about the car.

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  Super sedan! - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Johnny - February 18 - 6:23 am

  Sold an 03 Vette to getthis Nissan cause of my growing family size. Fit and finish of Nissan blows chevy away. I got a loaded se 6 speed and it has more bells and whistles than the vette I had. Its not as fast and doesn handle like a vette but for a 4door it sure does feel sporty. The gearing takes a lil gettin used to as its a close ratio 6 speed but its fun to drive as long as traffic isnt an issue. I love this car and it is far better than the 88,89, and 94 maximas Ive owned.

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  Lemon - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Anne Ambruch - February 17 - 7:40 pm

  My motor seized which means I need a new motor and Nissan wont help me. I have bought 5 Nissans before this, but never again.