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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  5th Gen 2000-02 are best - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Johns - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new w/Infinity all-leather interior. 130K miles. I take good care of it. Still looks great w/a few minor paint touch-ups. Wonderful car for the S.W. and high-speed touring. Good power/weight ratio. 21 mpg city, 28 highway at 80+mph. Unmatched visibility for touring and safety. Roomy inside and comfortable rear seat for passengers up to 6 tall. Great driving car with ample power. Good human factors design for driver - everything obvious and handy. Replaced all 4 O2 sensors, starter, radiator and alternator between 105K & 120K miles, front camber kit and rotors are due. Regular maintenance w/synthetic oil. Altogether a great car thats fun to drive w/a lot of good miles left in it.

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  My, how far cars have come! - 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By PR Gomez - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought a NAH coming off rental (Budget) with 32k miles for less than $16k, to replace a 12 year old Ford Contour V6 (stick). The NAH is bigger, peppier (0- 60 in 7.5 vs. 8.5), and uses less gas (averaging 35 mpg in Chicago driving). It also almost cost less. One year of abuse by multiple drivers doesnt seem to have caused any damage. It still glides effortlessly until I step on it, and then it "moos" forward (it doesnt "roar" exactly) like its got a rocket on its rear. Great fun to drive around the Mississippi bluffs, especially when passing slowpokes in two-lane highways (60-80 in about 2 sec). I feel like installing a bumper sticker saying: "You Were Just Passed by a Hybrid."

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  Amazing car - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By terry thrasher - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this car today and I love everything about it. It puts you back in your seat "amazing performance" weird looking in the front but it grows on you

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  Tough to Beat - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By GWC - July 25 - 2:16 am

  Glad I chose this over the Tacoma, for the money, this is the truck. Nice, comfortable interior, smooth powerful engine, which beat some V-8s.Good looking exterior. Would like to have had some door protection. Installing a K & N filter & maybe a tornado for better fuel economy.

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  250k and still rolling - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By patrick - July 25 - 12:08 am

  I was going to buy a Toyota 4 runner but comparable vehicle with more miles was 3k more, I bought it with 132k I have replaced valve cover gaskets, tires, alternator, starter and brakes 1 tuneup/ timing belt and fuel pump and front brakes in 4 yrs I have owned it (fuel pump was at 225k a preemptive repair) Check engine light has been on the whole time and no matter what cant get rid of it even though truck runs fine. 4wd works great. I paid 3100.00 and it was 14yrs old then and have driven for 4 yrs its got 250k and is due for timing belt replacement again. I am willing to bet this thing coud go 300k no problem, I have a 2004 for a backup and have not needed to use yet. All these years 2000-2004 have same issue of radiator support rotting away, check engine light, valve cover gaskets leaking and sometimes Distributor bearing going bad but if you are handy or dont mind a coupe bucks going for maintenance it truly is a good bang for the buck.

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  Xlent Styling and Comfort The Murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Bill Durrell - July 24 - 4:16 pm

  When I decided to buy a new car,I told my wife I was going to buy a sedan this time.I have owned SUVs since they came out with them,we needed a larger car to haul the kids and the dog everywhere. So now the kids are gone and its her and I. We dont need a bigger car. WRONG she says to me,you still haul our stuff for work, buy an SUV. So I started looking at them. The Nissan Murano caught my eye, I test drove it and liked the way it rode,It has great pickup off the line it is a very stable vehicle,and very comfortable the drive,I would recomend it to everybody,Ithas classy styling of a car and the guts of an SUV.

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  Comfortable, Reliable, Roomy Sedan - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By Patrick McClatchey - July 24 - 3:10 pm

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  THIS IS AN AWESOME TRUCK - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By MARIE ROSS - July 24 - 1:03 am

  I REALLY LOVE THE NISSAN ARMADA. MY SON THAT JUST TURNED 17 IS BUYING ONE NEXT MONTH. I USE MINE FOR WORK AND FUN. THANK YOU NISSAN FOR PUTTING OUT A GREAT AND RELIABLE TRUCK.

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  Wonderful Armada!! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By CherylinTexas - July 24 - 12:36 am

  This is my second Armada, LOVE IT! Fun to drive, easily tows my trailer, enough room for my extra tall husband and growing kids! I hope to have my 2007 soon. I drive the wheels of this SUV and it is my favorite vehicle I have ever owned, and I have owned a lot!

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  07 Solid - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By pikey - July 22 - 3:30 am

  This vehicle has performed flawlessly for 44,000 miles thus far. It has been taken to the dealer only for routine servicing. No deficiencies! The Murano is smooth, comfortable, right sized and rather economical for its size and capabilities. It handles mountain driving pleasurably. The reclining rear seats and ample luggage space make it a perfect long-distance cruiser for four full-sized adults. The original tires are becoming due for replacement soon at about 45,000 miles. All in all, the Murano has been a perfect vehicle for me and my family.