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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  My Sunset 350Z - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Chadi - August 28 - 10:00 am

  ive only had this car for 5 months, and theres isnt anything bad to say about it. for anyone getting this car, the attention this car gets comes standard, so do worry bout paying extra fo it. everywhere i go people huddle around and look. great car....and a good way to bring back nissan.

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  Track Model - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By cwwtemecula - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 3 weeks and would like to say that I am completely satisfied. It doesnt have the power of the Corvette or the styling of a Porsche, but for the money it is a superior sports car. I upgrades from a 6-cylinder Altima and only miss the fact the now I can only fit 2 golf bags rather than 4.

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  Blue Streak!!! - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By bear - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have the Performance Model Vin #251 which is blue and now almost exactly a year old with 19000 miles on it. I love this car. My only regret was not getting the leather interior. The carbon fiber cloth does not hold up well and freys (especially on the drivers side). Ive replaced the seat cover twice now for this problem with no solution as a subsitute fabric offered by Nissan yet. That said, you cant find a better sports car on the market today for the price. My top speed so far has been 145mph. Although the car is capable of more it is difficult to find a rural hwy. in good enough condition to go faster! Overall experience is a solid 10!!!

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  excellent - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By samford - August 28 - 10:00 am

  i love this car and iwould not trade it for anything

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  LOVE IT!!!!!!! - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By steelers - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Dont hesitate buy one. I have owned several zs before but this is far the best one I have ever owned (except for my 300Z).Nothing else will be as bad as the Corvette!!!! That is what i will buy when I get rid of the z in the next 6 months. Mazda has out done themselves.. this time, But American made is the way to go.

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  This is the best - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Klinger - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic automobile. I have always wanted a sports car and I am glad I waited to get this one. Auto trans is great. Bose stereo sounds fantastic. I love the digital speedometer with the analog. The vehicle handles exceptionally well around tight curves at high speeds and it doesnt take much to get the car going. I also testdrove a Mazda Miata, and Toyota MR-2 and I found the Z to have much better acceleration and much more interior room, which at first glance looks deceiving but is actually capable of handling 10 full grocery bags in the trunk. Way to go Nissan.

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  awesome - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Pete - August 27 - 11:20 pm

  Simply love it, my wife likes it even more due to the kids. Yes were happy

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  Quality Maxima! - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By duke - August 27 - 12:23 pm

  Ive had this 2000 model for almost 3 years now and except for an O2 sensor and ignition coils that needed to be replaced, this car has been trouble free and is obviously very well made. Quality and comfort throughout and absolutely tremendous driving long distances on the highway. Gas mileage goes up to about 27 mpg on the highway.

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  WHAT! - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By fuselim - August 27 - 1:40 am

  Plain and simple, treat yourself to a test drive. Ive owned this truck for a year and could not be more pleased. Dont listen to the reviews, I think the Big 3s are paying big money to the writers. I hunt, fish and enjoy traveling, this truck is fully capable. I drove a Ford for 17 Years, a Chevy for 10 and these where good trucks but Im now in the best truck Ive ever owned. Me and the wife are going to canada from texas, caint wait to cross the rockies in this truck.

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  Cube Krom Excellence - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By The First - August 26 - 11:36 pm

  Handles bumps in the road with ease. plenty of power for merging on highway.Tight turn radius easy to park.Large mirrors and no right side blind spot. To new for accurate mpg rating