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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  Transmission Problems - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By unklbuk - May 14 - 2:45 pm

  we just turned over 13,000km and the transmission failed. The Nissan dealer outlined they ordered a new one and would install it at no charge. Good deal. Problem- They put a remanufactured transmission in a brand new vehicle. BAD BAD BAD. Check the warranty documents as they are allowed to do this under their manufacturers warranty. I cannot believe that you spend 50K on a new vehicle and when you have a problem they put a USED transmission in it and call it new....

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  after 4 years - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By jpmarie - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a fine car for my needs (highway driving, short distances). Have had four recalls. Also have noticed the sqeaky fan belt in the mornings. Dealer replaced it once and another place tightened it (already tight) but it still squeals. Wind noise above 65 mph. Brakes are fine for me. Comfortable seats.

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  LOVE IT !! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Armada Lover - May 14 - 10:00 am

  It is a very luxurious SUV with plenty of head and leg room. This car says style!

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  I like my car - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By 83tbird - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This Murano is very quick, the gas mi/ depends on how you drive I get like 24.7 overall. If I drive hard I get alot less.

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  When good cars suck gas - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By fts102281 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great ride. Great sound system(for stock). Slightly cheap interior, but nice design. BAD GAS MILEAGE. Have had a volvo 850 and ford thunderbird. Its gas mileage is no better than either of those.

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  Well-Produced but Check engine problems(light only) - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By superflykhaeyo - May 13 - 12:16 pm

  +PROS:Looks GREAT inside/out, FUN TO DRIVE, and i get on the highway and never have to slow down, i floor it and im already caught up to traffic. The FOLD-IN side-mirrors help avoid hit-and-run parking lot drivers. -CONS:The suspension is so/so, the ride is just as harsh as a school bus as far as suspension, and its hard to block the sunlight sometimes, My check Engine light would NOT go off no matter how well the car was running, even after i replace the parts the obd reader told me to because The COIL PACKS&O2sens must be original manufactured, meaning mainly dealer parts but some websites have them at wholesale prices from the factory. OTHERWISE the light wont go off even with no faults

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  Problems from the start - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By JamesN - May 13 - 7:53 am

  I bought my 3.5SE cvt 1 year ago and almost immediately noticed slight movement in the power driver seat. I figured something needed tightening or adjusted but 1 year later and 4 visits to the dealer and the answer Im getting is that Im not the only one with this issue and Nissan is aware but does not have a solution yet. I cant believe I have a 32K car that I HATE now because of movement. Google Nissan Altima Seat squirm and you will find others with the same complaints. I doubt they have corrected the problem with the 09s but BEWARE. Ive also had quite a few rattles that are frustrating me. Ive had an Xterra and an 05 Titan that were well made but this will be my last Nissan.

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  Smooth As Silk - 2011 Nissan Leaf
  By billsea - May 12 - 9:38 am

  Ive really enjoyed owning and driving this car, which is now up to 10,000 miles. It is incredibly smooth, quiet and generally effortless to drive. The interior feels large, with plenty of room in the back for adults. The storage area is ample for the around-town usage dictated by the range. The range is occasionally a nuisance, but thats increasingly mitigated by charge stations. When my trips are well within the range, I have fun with the torque and the low center of gravity. So far its getting about 30 miles per dollar, a fascinating new metric that really puts the sucking sound in the front of our minivan in perspective. (Its five times more expensive to drive that one a mile.)

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  hoping for better the second time - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By prairielilly - May 11 - 3:33 pm

  I did my research, and discounted the Fit, Yaris etc in favour of the Versa bc of horsepower, room and the Nissan reputation. It exceeded all my expectations at first - fun to drive, reliable, good fuel economy, easy to handle. Then winter hit. In cold, wet weather, I would come out to the car and find ice all over the dash, controls and inside of the windows and windshields. The controls wouldnt work and the doors wouldnt shut. Warming it up - no change. Getting it fixed at the dealer proved extremely problematic ie. didnt happen - cost to me to fix was quoted at $5-10K. I just traded it in for a 2009 model - hoping for better this time around. Itll likely be my last Nissan too.

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  Better if: - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Greg Roland - May 11 - 10:00 am

  It had Good breajs, a better winshield, awd, standuard parts (tires, wheels, and wipers). Nice engin though. My car now has a dieing tranny, and some sort of stearing prob.