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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  I love my Nissan Maxima 2006 - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By William Betancourt - October 13 - 7:24 am

  I bought this car 7 years ago. It has been so good to me. Thank God I have no problems with mine. I take good care of my car. I literally pray before I get a car and prayed that my Nissan will not give me major problems. Till this day I still have it. Has not given me major problems and i truly love it! Love the inside and out! I have driven this car far places, drives great. Overall its the best car I have ever own.

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  Great car - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Ryan - October 13 - 3:20 am

  i love it...its pretty fun to drive.the interior is great...the acceleration is pretty good and so is the handling...i advise you that if u want a fast 4 cylinder for under 20 gs then this is the car for you....

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  Nissan/Datsun - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Bill - October 13 - 2:56 am

  Unbelievable sports sedan truly 4dsc (fast) cvt is much better and improved.Interior is high end comfortable seats heated and cooled paddle shifters heated steering award winning engine for 10 straight years engine code vq35de.Previously own 2 maximas I love them fun to drive.

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  best car ever - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By claudia - October 12 - 12:13 am

  I love this car ,its roomy thats one of the things i love about it plenty of space the interior looks realy nice and because its the spcial editionit has crome and ctrls on the steering wheel, elegant look (mine is black with tinted windows)and sporty in the same time,fuel eficient 27.2 in the city wich is good for a sedan at this size and that offers such a comfort,the engine and brakes respond very good i just love it what can i say and i dont have any problems whatsoever, I enjoy driving this car

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  This car is Awesome - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Nic - October 11 - 12:16 pm

  I love this car because I was hit by a Ford Taurus and it was smashed to pieces (which is saying something about that car...), but my good ol Maxima was barely even scratched. I also like the power in my V6 engine. It makes it fun to drive and also gives me an edge on other guys at my school who spends countless hours and tons of money making their cars better. It feels good to just get out there and floor the car just the way i bought it and end up being just as fast and most of the time even faster than the people around me... Its an awesome car and so far, I havent had any problems...**knock on wood**

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  Safety Proven - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By karan - October 11 - 7:20 am

  I hit a deer two nights ago going 65 MPH. I did not see the deer until I actually hit it. The hood did fly up over the windshield as I hit the deer dead center of the front of the car. Car is probably totaled since its three years old but I wasnt hurt and the car didnt crumple. I was able to maintain my lane (skid marks are perfectly straight) and drive to the next driveway to call the authorities. I will buy another one.

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  basic work truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By dm - October 11 - 6:26 am

  Havent had it long, but quality lives up to my expectations. Its great looking and fun to drive. Gas mileage is not great, but better than most trucks its size.

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  Time Traveler - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By drb218 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Most fun I have had driving in several years. Beats many more expensive cars in performance and saves at the pump.

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  first nissan - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By wherzfeld - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I have only had the Pathfinder for a about two months, but so far I am very pleased. Its the first new vehicle Ive owned which will not have a punch list of problems to be resolved when it goes in for its first check. I was looking for a mid sized suv with 5,000 lb towing. After comparing and test driving nothing came close. The car performs and handles well, is tight and well put together.

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  Comments on Murano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By bmwbarb - October 10 - 2:00 am

  i really like my Murano. i have had some bugs that had to be taken care of. Backing up I had a loud sqeal my odometer had to be replacedbefore 1000 miles . i also had a rattle underneath that turned out to be my emergency brake cable had to much play in it. otherwise i love my car. Ive had alot of complements and looks from everyone while driving it.