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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  Love - Hate relationship! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By JLL - May 8 - 10:00 am

  My van & I have a love hate relationship. My husband wanted me to get a Tahoe, but I got the van. He warmed up to it because of the comfortable interior. We drove this on a huge summer trip, and found it to be the perfect family vehicle TONS of room. Thank God for the warranty, at 99,000 mi I had to have both front wheel barrings replaced. Factory tires lasted all of 20,000. Brakes have been replaced 2x. Catalytic converter has to be replaced. Automatic side door now demon possessed. (Seriously). HORRIBLE gas mileage. I have never gotten better than 18 mpg, and I drive on a hwy on cruise everyday. It has been great for small children, but its growing old.

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  Goodbye nissan - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By heath - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I have loved nissans for awhile. I have had 7 of them. But they do not back them up and they have horrible customer service now, time to say good bye! Good bye squeaky hood they never fixed, battery drain, oil sensor, fuel sensor, noisy a/c, squeaky seats, its been fun but it is time to fin a manufacturer that will take care of us when we spend 28k for a truck!

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  AC and Transmission Problems - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Bratch - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Was good for the first two years, then the AC started blowing hot air, had high pressure line replaced under warranty. A year later the same thing happened, this time the low pressure AC line, and out of warranty. The hose and metal crimps seemed to have failed, replacement hose was more supple than original hose. After 4.5 years and 79,000 miles the transmission has started slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear, with no check engine light on. Taking it to the dealer for diagnosis in a couple of days. Purchased mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) from credit union, which is good for 4 more months, so I hope it will be covered.

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  Second bad review for you! - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By dancetec121 - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This car was on a flat bed twice before I even had it registered! The computer burnt out twice second time they figured out why the computer burnt out (why they didnt try and figure it out the first time is beyond me) they said it was the the battery port (positive) that was causing it. I will never buy a Nissan again!

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  Update at 19k from 4/20/10 - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By drive a lot - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Update from 4/20/10. Have read all of the reviews of this vehicle and they overwhelming positive. The "negatives" I feel are minor, especially the wind noise of the moon roof, open the front windows a crack and it helps a lot. I sometimes drive 450 miles in a day and I have never had more comfortable seats. Ive owned SRX, Audi, Subaru, Mitsubishi and a Maxima over the last 10 years. No car is perfect and I was able to get a heck of a deal on mine. The only thing is that the day after I bought it, 3/31 at 9:30 pm the next day went to 0%. I was a bit annoyed at that, felt dealership should have been honest, said they didnt know, but I think they do know.

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  Beware of Transmission - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By lynn - May 7 - 11:00 pm

  Love the car but only had it 4 months and it needs a transmission. Read the blogs and dont trust the dealerships. Weve been driving Nissans for 15 years and cant believe what a Lemon the Rogue has turned into.

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  My HOTTT Maxima - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Rio Brown - May 7 - 10:10 am

  Ive been driving my 2010 Maxima for 3 weeks now and i absolutely digggg it. I was a previous owner of a 2009 Acura TSX, but its night and day, compared to the Maxima. The Maxima styling is incredible from fit to finish and the power, oh that power, is incredibly impressive.

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  Unreliable car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By jk - May 7 - 10:03 am

  Bought the car on 3/07 and until 7/07 have a nasty problem with oil consumption. The car keeps on eating up oil and Nissan is fully aware of this problem but not doing anything about it. Just got the engine replaced from the dealer after returning to the dealer for the 4th time. Have not had a time to enjoy the car, but instead going to the dealership every other Saturday to re-check the oil consumption problem. If you like wasting your time and going to the dealer every other weekends and worry about if your car has oil or not. Then I highly recommend this car. Overall my first Nissan that I bought and I dislike Nissan after 4 months of driving this car.

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  Love it! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Chelle - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I love my X! Ive always driven SUVs and love them. My last SUV was a Trailblazer, which was ok but it was an automatic. I love the 6 speed X. It drives like a truck (Im told its a full frame not a sub frame which im sure makes it drive a little more like a truck), but it hugs the curves. It drives real tight, its firm. I didnt like all the play in the steering that the trailblazer had. All I can say is test drive one and youll fall in love. I never thought Id drive anything other than General Motors, but purchasing the XTerra X was the best move ive made so far. Give it a try....see what you think.

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  nice big truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - May 7 - 8:50 am

  I traded a Chevrolet Silverado for my Titan and the difference is night and day. I have a big V-8 and I get equal mileage as my chevy with the v-6. The unique styling takes a lot to get used to. I like how the seats are higher which gives a better view of the road and put that with the massive glass, it is like riding around in a glass car. The fuel mileage is absolutely terrible, but I put the recommended amount of MOTORKOTE in the crankcase and it increased the mileage form 13 to 14.5. The thing rides fantastic as well. very smooth. The stock stereo with 6 speakers sounds great. Seats are big, which is good for me because I am a big dude. I have had for 6 months and still cant park it very