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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  2002 Nissan Maxima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By zawada - May 7 - 2:49 am

  Excellent vehicle, i would highly recommend it. It was very reliable and had an amazing engine. Perform regular maintenance and this car will not let you down. Only draw back was the poor MPG and recommendation for premium fuel

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  The best SUV - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Peggy - May 6 - 11:30 pm

  I looked at all the large SUVs. Toyota seemed top heavy. Ford felt cheaply made. Chevy seemed too much of a truck. Dodge is just ugly. When we tried the Nissan, I thought finally a good looking SUV with all the specs and still cheaper than Chevy or Ford. I have never bought a Nissan before. Ive only owned Ford, Pontiac and a Jeep so this would be a new experience. I can honestly say this is the best car Ive ever owned and planned to buy Nissan again. I have 4 kids and this has been a life saver. Everyone has plenty of room and comfort and I dont feel we compromised getting what I wanted. The kids have the DVD and I have piece and quiet.

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  Great Car - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By pittsburghbob - May 6 - 2:59 am

  Ive owned the car for about a month now and it continues to impress me. The combination of ease and fun make it great car for commuting. I really like the driving options (sport, normal, and eco) and the ability to change from front wheel drive to AWD if and when I want to. The acceleration and handling are amazing. Great car for the price.

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  Excellent SUV without the high sticker $ - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Marco Lopez - May 5 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love this car. It was our first family car and after 5 years of owning it, we are still very happy with its quality and performance.

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  top of the charts - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By chris skufca - May 5 - 10:00 am

  handeling great style great performance fabulas just like driving a sports car

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  AMAZING TITAN - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By tagman - May 5 - 10:00 am

  I am a new 1/2 ton truck driver, and I am so happy I bought the 2004 Titan. Every time I turn the ignition on, I am greeted with the manly roar of the exhaust. The power of this truck is amazing. I love the feel and the looks too. The other trucks in its class had not even come close. The Titan was the only truck I could feel good owning!

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  Proud Owner of the 3.5 SE - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Chris_Pinedo - May 5 - 10:00 am

  Very fun and easy to drive. Shifts flawlessly when going easy, and quick when you want it. Very comfortable.

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  I wished I purchased one sooner! - 2015 Nissan NV Cargo
  By Reacherman16 - May 4 - 6:04 pm

  I love the head room of my van. I dont have to bend over or crawl to get in my van to reach my tools or parts (6"2). I have owned my 2012 NV 2500 S high-top (It does not have Navigation and Backup camera but it has the rest of the bling) since 2012. I brought it used with 35,636 miles on it. I could not purchase an extended warranty because it would be used commercially. That turn out in my favor and I saved $1522.00. Outside of normal repairs I replaced 4 interior bulbs and an a/c blower motor. The van has paid for itself and has made me a proud owner. I have gotten 50K plus on my tires and I am only now showing a need for an alignment. The gas mileage is poor due in part that I have shelves, tools and parts that I carry on the van and that it is a v6. The v8 in my application would perform better and perhaps improve my gas mileage some. It is hard to complain of any thing other than slight interior creature discomfort. Must tell story...while on a service call to the lake after a violent storm. I was traveling 60 plus on a 2 way highway and a tree had fallen across the road to make the road look like a dead end. My van never lost control or traction, my van never swerved violently, it never rocked from side to side, I felt no play or shake in my steering wheel and my brakes never locked. I swerved at the last minute to avoid the tree and found a road which (te-ed) into the highway which got me around the tree. I had full control over the van all the times. I have no complaint about the handling of my 2500 Hi-top van. If I were not winning down my career...I would buy a v8

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  Impressing!!! Caches the eye!!! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By macezra - May 4 - 10:10 am

  I have this van for two years now. I actually have the 2004 model SE, I have no technical problems with it. I am currently driving my van in Germany and it was very very comfortable to drive. The space is huge, ergonomic first class plane seat designed. Excellent performance and steers very well, feels like a car. This is a fast van with 240hp 3.5liter, I clocked in 115 miles/hr and it was a smooth accelaration. Some BMW could not keep up with me. The controls are well futuristic designed compared to other minivans. This is a reliable van to use on long trips. It has dual control temperature at your comfort for both the driver and the passenger. The body style is the eye catcher(SUV or VAN?

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  great car! - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By ionut - May 3 - 6:23 pm

  We bought this car in 2003, as a graduate student. Best $3,750 spent! Didnt like the exterior in particular, but once I got inside, I fell in love with it. Strong engine, not so great transmission. When I bought it, one of my colleagues told me: "Altima, you will get tired of it, it will never break!". He was right. In six years we replaced the tires, front breaks and the radiator. VERY cheap to replace. No rattles! OK, its noisy inside, the ride is not what it used to be when I bought it six years ago, but what can you expect from a 12 year old car? It is a Limited Edition, it has everything my Accord07 has (another great car)!!! Just love it! I would buy it again in a heartbeat!