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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  Falling Out Of Love - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Caroline - December 28 - 8:06 pm

  When I drove my sleek black Rogue which I aptly named My Batmobile out of the dealership I was thrilled. That was in April 2010 and since then my service engine light has gone on twice. I had to have the vent control valve replaced twice. The cause I was told is the ethanol in gasoline. Now I search for gas w/o ethanol at a higher price of course.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Adele - December 28 - 1:00 pm

  Drove a 94 Thunderbird for 13 years and thought I wanted a car with a V6 engine. Tested a Ford Fusion V6 and the 4 cyl Camry. When I drove the 2.5S Altima I couldnt believe how strong and powerful the engine is. It can keep up with everything on the road. I love the gas mileage. It gets 35 mpg with all highway driving. With all city driving it gets about 22 mpg. The cvt is smooth and responsive and the car feels solid and sure on highways. The seats felt a little too firm at first but now Im used to them. Im very happy with this car and just love driving it.

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  New owner - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By lfefernandez - December 28 - 3:33 am

  Even though this is my first day with my new 2005 pathfinder, this SUV is perfect size, perfect shape. I have the LE and is everything you want in a vehicle, its got power, room for 7, video entertainment system, independent suspension (which makes it way comfortable), 6 CD changer with a BOSE audio system, heated seats, dual temperature control, sunroof, lots of storage, and a little better gas mileage than my previous 2000 Nissan Xterra. I have nothing to envy other SUVs, this is what I wanted Nissan to bring to the market and 7 seater, not so big, afordable, awsome SUV.

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  Maxima 17 Platinum - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By John Jimenez - December 27 - 3:50 pm

  Great car but expensive to maintain

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  just got mine today - 2009 Nissan Sentra
  By josefina - December 27 - 3:10 am

  I love my new sentra even though I bought it today. I got the base model; I love the car overall forget about the Edmunds rating at 7.1 Ill give it a 10! Interior is easy to use comfortable love the auxiliary input jack, although a little bit pricier than its competition its still worth it. Has a lot of power to be a 2.0liter 4 cylinder I love velocity &its really fast & ideal for daily commute. Its also fun to drive.

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  BEST LIL CAR! - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By T-money - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to park, sooper dependable! one setback not as good fuel ecomomy as might think. bought at 20,000 miles now has 101,000 never lost a day due to breakdown, never got me stranded!!!

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  BIG BUT DRIVEABLE SUV - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By JMD - December 27 - 2:00 am

  VERY COMFORTABLE ON THE HIGHWAY. WITH FOUR KIDS AND DVD IT WAS ACTUALLY A NICE TRIP. SECOND ROW SEAT LEG ROOM IS AMAZING. THIRD ROW ISNT BAD EITHER FOR ME 6FT 1IN., MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR SMALLER PEOPLE. ENGINE IS STRONG THROUGH OUT DRIVING RANGE. EASY FOR ME TO DRIVE IN TOWN. PARALLEL PARKING IS NOT BAD ,ESPECIALLY WITH REAR SENSORS. NAV SYSTEM IS EXCELLENT AND EASY TO USE.

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  LOVE MY MURANO! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Vickielynn - December 27 - 2:00 am

  What can I say? The Murano is an awesome looking vehicle. I traded my Dodge Durango and have been very pleased with the Murano. Its the most fun car Ive ever had. The ride is smooth and handles very much like a car but has the roominess of an SUV. The CVT transmission is nice. I personally dont think it detracts from the engines performance. It still has pep! Afterall, its not a race car. I love everything about the Murano.

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  Great Sports Car at any price - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By alow13 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Have a had the car for little over a month and it is crazy fast, comfortable (64") and rides just as well as my 2002 A4. Overall great car regardless of the price

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  04 Maxima - WOW! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By DrJ - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The Maxima is an exceptional car and a has a real WOW! factor. The SL ride is significantly better than that of the SE, and compares to many luxury cars. For its actual dimensions, it has good interior and trunk space. The driver preferred option package for only $700 adds loads of handy features, like power tilt/ telescoping heated steering wheel, and heated memory seats. Overall, the 04 Maxima is a real winner.