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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  Best value - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Rick - September 12 - 7:06 am

  This is my fourth Z and is clearly the best in overall performance and can match or outperform almost any sports car on the road. I test drove a Porsche Boxster the day before I bought the 370Z and it matched its performance as well as being quicker. I had some reservations about the restyling from the 350 before I saw it, but its gorgeous. The Sports Package, with SyncroRev matching, TC, bigger and dagger styled wheels is worth it. At 60", I felt very comfortable in the cockpit.I usually negotiate the price down, but even at MSRP, it was a steal.

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  2007 Max with Nav - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By JohnR - September 12 - 6:10 am

  Previously owned a 2004 Max. The 07 is improved in both interior and exterior. The cvt is very smooth and torque steer greatly reduced. Acceleration about the same

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  BEWARE: 2003 Murano Tranny is a Lemon! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Former Murano Owner - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought an 03 Murano 62k miles on it. Beautiful, lots of features, pretty good MPG. Unfortunately, within a month or two I experienced the "bunny hop." In stop-and-go traffic, I first noticed the acceleration was sluggish. Then, after each complete stop, it was dangerously unresponsive - creeping along at a couple of mph. Then the engine figured out it was going too slow, it revved up and jumped forward. I could have rear-ended someone. Read other reviews and you will see that I am not alone. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR! It broke my heart because I loved my Murano. But I was tired of worrying that my transmission would either blow out or, worse, injure someone.

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  Value Leader - 2010 Nissan Armada
  By Scott - September 12 - 2:00 am

  With $4,500 incentive, no contest. Even 3-4 year old used large SUV couldnt compete. Rear view camera critical on large SUV and Armada is best. Best in class 3rd row comfort and cargo space. Nice interior design, despite a few rough edges. Lots of little storage, but sub-floor storage in back would help. Push-button start and proximity unlock on hatch would be nice improvements. Excellent ride quality, despite engine roar (part of its character). Worst in class gas mileage; 14mpg mixed. But, trade for excellent towing and amazing acceleration, its worth it. If you dont need off road or towing, go with a minivan; more space, more convenience, 30% cheaper. Its my 5th Nissan!

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  Great car EXCEPT... - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By Jesse - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car two months ago NEW. The miles on the car was from test driving. This past Friday it wouldnt start. Long story short the car has a connector to the battery that gives it the propensity to receive a poor connection and shut down unexpectedly. Unfortunately, my car was towed by a Nissan Roadside assistance towing company to a Nissan dealership and in the process my $200 key was lost. I was approved to have my key paid for by the Nissan consumer affairs but I had to pay up front. I asked that an deferment of my monthly payment request be granted considering that I didnt budget for this and my NEW car broke down & individuals affiliated with NISSAN lost my key. I was denied!

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  Fast and fuel - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By EL - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I am a MOPAR man by far. I have a Chrysler Congest TSI and a Dodge Cummins so figured Id add one more turbo to the mix. This car caught my eye when I saw it for the 1st time and the turbo power! The look of the car is a head turner. I have had 95% good compliments on the car. It handles great and has a lot of get up and go. MPG is around 30@55mph. I have the S/AWD and has about the same pep as the SV with out all the nice features but I figured the features are one more thing to go wrong as cars do when they age. Plus it would just be something to brag about and this car brags for its self. But dont get me wrong the features are nice and one of a kinda. Over all great car. Time will tell

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  my m - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By mary - September 11 - 4:10 pm

  Fun car love to drive . Does make noise when in reverse.Interior design not very practical(for me).Other than that is a lovely car

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By GLG - September 11 - 11:16 am

  I simply love this car. It clearly has the most options of any car in its class and in some instances in the luxury class. Of course, once you jump up to the luxury class (BMW, Audi, Lexus, etc.), you are paying for the name. Best value for a car given all the options and the performance

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  Nissan defective radiator fries tranny - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By NY4WLR - September 11 - 6:36 am

  Loved the truck for the 1st 3 years. Even after eating the defective fuel sender repair $500. But now I have fallen victim to the growing radiator leaking into the transmission defect. Nissan is refusing to acknowledge this growing problem. If you have a Nissan 4 wheel drive circa 2005-07 go to an independent mechanic and have transmission fluid checked for contamination. If you catch it in time you can head off the $7000 transmission/radiator replacement.

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  Love My New Altima - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Thomas - September 11 - 6:36 am

  I sold my old car and went and bought the new Altima and let me tell you I was going to buy a Honda Accord but the Altima has that car ripped to shreds. The Altima has more room and you can get a navigation system on the base model. I got the 3.5 SE with the technology package and added the rear spoiler and fog lights and I love this car. If I am having a bad day at work it seems like when I get in my new car all my problems just go away.