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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  Used to be better - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By flasentra - June 25 - 1:26 pm

  I had a 1993 that made it to 178,000 miles but I doubt this one will make it that far. While it looks bigger and has a little more room, the trunk is still too small, and with a pretty much stripped down version, I miss things like intermittant wipers, light in the trunk, better fabric on the seats, cruise control... they make a diff. The plastic on the front headlights on both discolor after two years and visors are crap. Windshield has a lot of scratches. Needs better acceleration/pickup. My big complaint is the service--go for an oil change, they try to sell $$$$ maintenance. I bought an inexpensive car because cash is in an issue, I dont have $$$$ to spend in maintenance.

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  My new lemon - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Gordo - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Well, my family has owned Nissans since 1984 so i really wanted to like this truck. However, after taking it back 4 times to Boulder Nissan and twice to John Elway Nissan I am still having major probs with it and thanks to the terrible/rude service at Boulder Nissan Ill be using the Colorado Lemon Law to get my money back. They still havent sent me my owners manuals and ive had this truck for 6 months! The two major probs i still have are it pulls to the left when i brake and have a very loud squeak coming from my rear window seal that silicone hasnt fixed. Mighty dangerous when its icy!

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  great murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By grantj - June 25 - 3:03 am

  I love the car. I had a few problems with it at first. The CD changer (single cd) was changed 3x before it would stop eating cds. The steering controls stopped working and a fuel injector went out after 1 month. Not major since the car had 55k miles when purchased. Some controls feel cheap. The gas tank door would not unlock, door locks sometimes stick. I havent had any problems in the last 10 months. very pleased, not so pleased with the customer service at the dealership but its getting better. They do not take care of the car, several scratches on the dash and radio due to their carelessness during service.

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  Good Buy - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Rodney - June 24 - 1:10 pm

  We purchased the Armada on 4/29/06. I test drove the car and I felt very comfortable in the seat.(510" 290 lbs.) I love all of the bells and whistles. This car is very loaded with nav system, DVD, back-up sensors and seat memory. I have to issues: gas mileage. It is very poor. The other is the position of the inside door handle. It is too low.

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  less pay for the value - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By jjj33 - June 24 - 7:08 am

  I bought 2015 Altima S (with Audio Pacage and power seat Pacage) in very cheap price, and I am satisfied with that. My driving is 1250 miles until now and in only town. I got 33-34 MPG, but EPA estimate is 27 MPG in town. The MPG number on dash is 37.5 but the number when I calculate in pumping is 33.9. So the difference is really big. I do not know why. Overall value and satisfactory are great.

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  problems - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By robert - June 23 - 12:03 pm

  the car has had countless trips to the dealer for tranny, clutch, suspension, window motors,and audio....all of it has been replaced once or more times! There is countless tsbs on the vehicle as well, i suggest if you get a z get an 06 because i heard that they have improved most of the problems.

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  new rogue owner - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By deadeye63 - June 23 - 2:51 am

  have only had my rogue three weeks and so far so good. had looked at the rav 4 and outlander sport and went with the rogue because of price/looks and all the great features . this car is loaded with everything that you can get on a rogue. only thing i can find so far is the noise when driving on a wet road, like a window is down. also the color which is platinum graphite does not match in different light. doors do not match rear panel. will know more after a few months.troad

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  For A First Car, This Thing Is A Gem. - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By mycarsnameisal - June 22 - 2:38 pm

  I am sixteen. This is my first car. I LOVE this car. The only thing I wish was different about it are: *fog lights should come standard on the 2.5SL model. *The passenger side should have power seats. *Shouldve put more thought into buying a 3.5L V6 *Car jumps a little when first accelerating after the engine being off.

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  3,000 miles and still going strong! - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By bigal1020 - June 21 - 5:51 am

  After having owned a new 2011 Nissan Quest SL for 2 months now I wanted to share some of my honest feedback. 1st we are still glad with our choice to purchase this van over the rivals of Toyota and Honda. The quality is amazing and the interior is very luxurious. My refrigerator recently went out and I was able to haul a brand new Maytag side by side refrigerator in the back of this van. If you need more space than that go buy a Uhaul. Not to mention I still had space in the back floor compartment. Also in every review you will read that the cubic feet is less in the Nissan with all seats folded. True but remember they are not counting the 30 cu ft you have in the back storage well.

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  2007 crewcab - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By bub - June 20 - 11:13 am

  I have been driving wifes 03 F150 and needed something for myself so I got a fairly good deal on the frontier.The ride is rougher which for me is just fine.