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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  Great SUV - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By TIPSTERHARLEY - November 25 - 5:33 pm

  I love this vehicle, has everything I wanted including factory navigation. Fun to drive. Bose system sound great. Navigation system is easy to use. I live where there is a lot of snow in the winter and this SUV goes through it like I am driving a tank, never got stuck once. It has lots of power. The gas mileage could be better.

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  Works 4 Me - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Osiris - November 25 - 2:50 pm

  I really like this truck. It has all of the utility of an SUV and just enough accessories to be an effective work truck, plus its a NISSAN. This thing will run forever. Lets put it this way, I traded a 2001 Trans Am for a Frontier and I loved that Trans Am. Only detractor is the interior color. Its a light tan and all of the dirt show up. My two year old has made sure of that.

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  Nissan Sentra - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By runchamp - November 25 - 10:30 am

  Reliable. Very strong exterior I have been in an accident that involved the back bumper and you cant even tell. you should see the other car!

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  awesome!!! - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Sammy - November 25 - 9:36 am

  The 2005 Nissan 350Z is a very comfortable and reliable car. It is built tough, but is made for the average consumer! My next car will probably be a Nissan!

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  What was I thinking - 2007 Nissan Armada
  By Liz - November 25 - 7:16 am

  Wow this thing is a gas guzzler. What was I thinking when I purchased this thing. I always wanted an Armada, so I bought one but with big regrets. Too many blind spots. I have a hard time seeing when I am trying to back out of a parking space. While this thing is very powerful, the gas mileage is awful. I paid cash for mine. I am going to trade it in in about another month for something that gets better gas mileage. If you want good gas mileage, this is not the vehicle for you.

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  Nice redesign - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Morv - November 25 - 1:03 am

  If youre in the market for this size SUV, and have only driven the past version, give this one a shot. The upgraded engine and torque really make this car standout. Its still a truck, make no mistake, but it doesnt feel much like a truck on the road. Outstanding turn radius as well.

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  2004 Maxima - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By John Pearce - November 24 - 5:33 pm

  I have owned 3 Maximas in my life. I have always been elated with my purchases, and I expect to get reliable performance from my 2004.

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  Seems great - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By catcher10 - November 24 - 3:16 pm

  Just took delivery of an 06 pathfinder LE with everything but leather. Comfortable, great stereo. Absolutely flies on the highway. Lots of room with the third row of seats down. Got an excellent deal on a lease and this vehicle beats anything I looked at before deciding on it.

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  SE-R not for hot-blooded - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By tico - November 24 - 10:10 am

  This car is not for the meek, you can pass cars without even trying. From standing start car will pull to either side on you if you dont hold steering wheel firmly, but thats the sweet feeling one wants in a 260 hp car. The cars ride is a bit rough at the initial start but once your on the road five to ten minutes its smooth. Passing a big rig or slow cars on a incline is easy. You will get stares & challenges from other drivers guaranteed. One thing I notice is that I dont even care about backups now cause Im riding in one comfortable car. You will be worried about parking between two cars so be prepared to walk farther to the store from the lone parking spot. People move out of the way-sweet!

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  Another Radiator/Transmission blown! No Nissan! - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By rberglund - November 24 - 6:19 am

  I discovered a small pool of purple liquid under front right tire of my 2007 Nissan Pathfinder in the garage yesterday. I discovered it was most likely a radiator leak and could have leaked into the transmission as well. I took the vehicle in today for inspection, and my concerns were confirmed. Due to the coolant mixing with the transmission fluid, Im told its only a matter of time before catastrophic transmission failure +$4000. The issue I have with this whole situation is Nissan is very aware of this defect, yet did not issue a recall. I found out the fix is a very simple bypass as well. There goes $5000+ out the door. All Nissan had to do was recall. Do not buy Nissan!