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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  Great SUV - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Steve - August 5 - 3:06 am

  Bought used in 2002 at 61k miles. It has been a pleasure to own, reliable, comfortable and fun to drive. Very smooth in the city and highway and you cant beat it in the snow. Go for the SE or LE for style,leather, heated seats, bose stereo. Gas mileage is typical for an SUV. Engine is improved in 1999.5. Struts replaced at 70k miles.

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  the best car for under $70,000 - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By 350z owner - August 3 - 10:00 am

  the best car ive ever driven

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  No mini-van even comes close!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By J. Garrison - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I was blown away by the new design of the Quest!! The first things I was impressed by were the new features and the roominess. But what really sold me was the way it drives!! Its stylish like a SUV but drives more like a sports car. The pick-up it has is unbelievable. The skyview is awesome!! The Bose stereo and DVD player make you feel like you are in a theater. The ride is very stable and practically no road noise. No mini-van can even come close. I used to be hooked on the Odyssey which now seems so outdated compared to the Quest!!

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  Max-Max - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By John McNaughton - August 3 - 10:00 am

  A completely new Maxima. The 3.5 V6 is a gem. The car was a one of the first delivered in Orange Co.CA and had a few things that needed correction. It had a defective windshield which Nissan promptly replaced. No mechanical problems whatsover. We have about 6K miles on the car and it performs flawlessly.

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  i love this car - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By ymc - August 2 - 2:00 pm

  this is the best driving car i have driven better than my old bmw 5 series

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  a real car - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By omar - August 1 - 2:22 pm

  I have a 2.5s special edition no issues I put good gas 89 octane lasts me 2 weeks and drive it every day very strong reliable. brakes wasnt too impressive but upgraded them to cross-drilled slotted rotors and its perfect now great car to have

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  Alot of BANG for the BUCK!!! - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By tnjyoung - August 1 - 1:50 pm

  My wife and I bought this as a replacement for our 2006 Honda Civic. It has tons (and I mean Tons) of power and it is very fun to drive. The reason for purchase and one of the best features is all the leg room! I am 6 tall and I felt cramped in the civic. This has a great driving position and offers adjustable pedals. Steering wheel audio controls are nice too! The exhaust has a real throaty sound that combines nicely with the rugged design. I would buy another today!

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  Cant get out of it - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Patrick Ferreira - August 1 - 7:33 am

  Comfortable, powerful smooth handling and fun to drive. Eye catching, stands out amongst all others. A quality, sound and well engineered vehicle.

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  Perfect vehicle for my life! - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Jen - August 1 - 6:11 am

  I opted to go with a Nissan because I had an Infiniti for 7 years/155,000 miles which I loved and was incredibly reliable, but I needed to upgrade in size and couldnt afford the same size in an Infiniti. I ended up purchasing a 2016 Murano Platinum with 9600 miles at a great price and with the full extended warranty. I have been so pleased with the car in the month or so that Ive owned it-- I drive all over the state for work, so comfort, reliability, and quiet interior were very important to me, and this car meets all of those expectations. I also needed more cargo space for work, and it fits everything I need to carry with room for even more. The Platinum version has all the bells and whistles, which I wasnt seeking out but enjoy having. The gas mileage is a little less than advertised, but its better than my previous car, which was smaller. The controls are very easy to use, similar to my previous car, and the display is easy to read. Overall, Im thrilled with the car and am I glad I took the plunge to purchase it when I did.

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  maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By burke - August 1 - 5:00 am

  I hate the cost of the low profile tires. The "look" is not so much better, that it is worth the cost! I have owned 3 Maximas; I may not purchase another one for this reason only. $350 a tire is Ridiculous for only 20,000 mile of wear. This is a rip-off for consumers.