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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  No Regrets - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Good choice - February 12 - 6:40 pm

  It has been 3 months and 3 thousand miles since my purchase. The car rides smooth and quiet. I test drove a 4 and it had enough power but I was willing to sacrifice some mpg for a very quiet 6. Im noise sensitive. Getting 24 mpg suburban driving, highway 28-29 with a ton of get up and go! Bose sound system is fabulous with the quiet engine. Interior feels very spacious. Dash not cluttered. Controls nicely positioned. Nice leg space. Trunk offers plenty of suitcase and stuff space. Good sight lines through rear window when backing up. The transmission is very smooth, quiet, and easy to get used to. No need for a stick shift.

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  So Far, Super Car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By KYBruce - February 12 - 6:06 pm

  We found this on ebay. Had 45k on it and paid $9900. Can get over 30MPG on hwy. Bose 6CD sounds great. My wife likes the light emerald green color. Leather htd seats are very comfortable. Have always owned Hondas, and this is first Nissan, and so far impressed. The engine is smooth and seems more like 6 cyl. Only negative is this car should have std ABS and side airbags (which ours does not) Would certainly recommend!

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  My first new car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Monique - February 12 - 6:56 am

  My 2005 Nissan Altima is my first new car. Prior to this I had a used Honda Accord. I was looking for a car that was comparable and I exceeded my goal. This is a great car to drive.

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  Boomer SUV - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By Sanseione - February 12 - 3:36 am

  Im a Boomer but love cars. All my vehicles prior to this one have been performance sedans. I bought the Murano because I have a dog and needed a nice little ride spot for my dog Boomer. I drove 6 mid size SUVs before purchasing the Murano. Reasons: Great discount price, very nice build quality, smooth drive train and ride, great handling for an SUU. My previous 2004 Maxima ran 187,000, was totaled, rebuilt and was running great when I traded it it. I love Nissans.

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  Easy, cute and reliable! - 2014 Nissan Versa Note
  By Northern California Mom - February 10 - 9:17 pm

  Our 2014 Versa Note has about 40k miles on it. We bought it used four months ago from a dealer; previously a rental. We were looking for an economical, comfortable, newer, fuel-sipping, around-town vehicle that I (a mother of kids in various after school activities) could safely do all of my driving around town in. The Versa Note has delivered. Sound system is very good, use of interior space is excellent, gas mileage is very good, and it its own way it is really fun to drive. Pickup is slow, but that is to be expected with the CVT. Once youre rolling, there is plenty of power. For a sub-compact car, the inside feels great and modern. Back seat is huge for the size of the car, and both front and back seats accommodate surprisingly tall people without a problem. Plenty of leg room. And somehow, the rear hatch area accommodates gigantic loads of groceries. The split rear seat is handy if you need extra room for carrying a small bicycle, etc. Our German Shepherd even fits in the way back. An added unexpected bonus of driving such a small car is that when our whole family is in it, it is incredibly easy and nice to have a conversation among us all because we are all relatively close together. Also easy to clean, being so small! All in all we love it, but it is definitely not a luxury car, so dont expect the super smooth ride. And go for the SV model at least if you can, because who wants a newer car with manual roll-down windows? But coming from our 2000 Subaru which finally bit the dust, it feels great, modern, and a big improvement in many ways. It is a little bumpy and jerky on the road since it is so little, but you get used to that. Not uncomfortable at all, but it drives more like a small motorcycle or scooter than a gigantic luxury liner. For long trips it may not be the absolute most comfortable car out there, but for cruising mostly around town it has rocked (we have a minivan as our other car to use for camping and trips). Love to squeeze the Versa Note into those tight parking spaces that the big trucks pass right by :)

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  A real truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By rob - February 9 - 11:20 pm

  I have owned several trucks and this is the best one yet. It is a truck that the complete family wants to take everywhere. I am getting 18 mpg with a 50/50 city, highway driving. I havent been able to find anything that I cant haul.

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  new car review - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By mark morrison - February 8 - 7:53 am

  Like driving a 747 after 35 years of sedans. Enjoy the height and smooth road feel. Interior appointments first class...leather and all the toys, navigation and dvd, makes it a little expensive but.....

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  Small car with a big car feel - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Charlie Jensen - February 8 - 5:43 am

  I was looking for a good gas mileage car to replace my old gas hog, and hadnt even heard about the Versa. After driving a Sentra (which I thought was cramped and slow) the salesman suggested the Versa. I loved this car as soon as I drove it. Others in the class dont even compare in terms of interior room, quiet & smooth ride, and a surprisingly peppy 1.8L engine. I chose the SL line with 6M, but I also drove the CVT, which was very cool. Lots standard features on the SL. The convenience package & audio upgrade package are worth considering. Materials and workmanship are excellent. If youre looking for a great commuter car thats a great ride and fun to drive, the Versa is a great choice.

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  2003 4x4 Crew Cab is awesome! - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By gehnissan - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I compared Chevy, Ford,GMC,Dodge,Toyota & Nissan.I settled on the nissan because of the history(making trucks since 1933), quality (one of the best records), price(3K less than the toyota) and dealer experience(modern nissan is the best). Toyota does not offer the long bed or manual trans.Its styling is tough & the rear is geared better at 4.64 axle ratio. The fit&finish of the truck is great,seats are comfy & snug to the body. The engine is powerful with fuel economy. seeing 21 hwy 17 city. Overall very pleased with this truck. All nissan frontiers are born in Smyrna, Tennesse with %60 american made parts more than 40-60% of "american" trucks.

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  Fast Family Car - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By dkap - February 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car value-wise and dependability-wise. Ive owned 4 new Maxes(88,90,96,02) but the 02 is a little less impressive than previous ones except for performance. It is stylish but rides hard. Seat adjuster knobs hard to reach with big hands, tilt wheel locking lever is poorly located, no lites on steering wheel controls, road & wind noise @ hi speed, Bose failed, had to be replaced. At 14,000 miles, Im replacing this with an 04!