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 SUV out! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jason - June 21 - 2:00 am

  We test drove EVERYTHING! This newly designed Pathfinder blew everything(4- runner, Envoy, Durango, Cherokee, Pilot) and none of them gave us the standard options that came with the Pathfinder for the price. It drives like a car and just had a higher quality feel to it than anything else we drove. Im 63, 230 pounds and this is the most confortable car weve owned.

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  The Best!!! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By josh37 - June 20 - 11:00 am

  I love my 2005 Nissan Maxima SL. I had a 2003 Maxima SE and i loved it but instead of going for another maxima i got a explorer and hated it. but then I got a BMW hated it so gave it to my daughter and got another Maxima and LOVE IT!!!! I bought the car with 81000 Miles on it and now has about 83000 on it. No Squeaks or rattles ( that ive heard) ride is perfect, and is very fun to drive. Engine is quiet and QUICK!!! Very roomy and BOSE sound system is GREAT. LOVE the xenon lights and the heated steering wheel. The Traction control came in handy during a bad thunderstorm the other day.

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  A Great Auto - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By bay4side - June 20 - 10:31 am

  Bought new in 06. Auto is beautiful and I got and get alot of compliments on its looks. I get great miliage on the four cy and enough power in all situations. Thr car is a great size and I can sit three people in the back comfortably. I have had no mechanical problems at all. I have 34.000 hard city miles on it. I enjoy this auto very much and say its the best overall performing auto Ive owned. In this area there seems to be a million of the same model and color (slate Grey)of this model.

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  Still best truck out there - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By ah7771 - June 19 - 8:46 pm

  My 2nd Titan. I have the fully loaded LE with navigation. I compared it to the Tundra which I drove immediately beforehand and even though the Tundra is a newer model and has more hp, the Titan just feels faster and the interior is more luxurious. I compared it to a top-of-the line Tundra.

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  Impressed So Far - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Bought Used - June 19 - 5:36 pm

  Bought car used with 12k miles. So far, great vehicle for the money. Wonderful highway performance and fuel economy. Attractive, many comfortable features and fully fuctional. A very practical choice and value sedan.

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  2nd Xterra - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By jexx - June 19 - 5:20 pm

  My 2000 Xterra was so much fun and so reliable that it made it easy for us to step up and trade it in for a new SC Xterra. While we looked at other more expensive suvs we opted for what we felt was imo obviously the best deal, and for the vehicle that would most facilitate our active lifestyle and our adventurous spirit.

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  2006 Titan LE 4X4 - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By J S - June 19 - 4:40 pm

  Very impressive vehicle. I have not found a single thing that I do not like about it.

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  Practical, Yet A Joy to Drive - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By jgroute66 - June 18 - 4:33 am

  My wife has admired the exterior styling for several years. I insisted on the blond leather interior. We settled for the surprisingly quick 4 cylinder. The drivers seat is about the most comfortable seat I have sat in. Everything is also within reach of the driver. We opted out of the sunroof and gained a few inches of headroom, but there would have been plenty with the opening roof. The steering wheel is one of the cleanest and most attractive designs around (radio, trip computer, and cruise buttons on wheel are simple and logical). The blond interior brightens up a car that already has a nice openess to it while also giving it a warm and rich look. It is very comfortable for long trips.

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  30,000 and running great - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By p byers - June 17 - 11:53 pm

  I am very satisfied with this car. After 30,000 miles I have had no problems and gas mileage has been averaging 34.3mpg. I drive mostly in the mountains and small towns. The cvt transmission is the best automatic that I have driven in the mountains. The holdback saves on the brakes and there is no shifting as I navigate these winding mountain roads. The antilock braking system works great in ice and snow.

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  Awesome Car! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By solace - June 17 - 11:53 pm

  Nissan cars have always been very reliable and good cars. The new Altimas are also one of the coolest looking cars on the road. The Nissan 3.5 liter engines are very quick. The CVT works great.