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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  Awesome SUV - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By DebbieS - June 15 - 10:13 pm

  Fun to drive, great pick up power as well as high speed power, this SUV will get out of its way if need be, no concerns there. Loaded with extra features, lots of room for all the extras with a large family. Mileage could be better. Overall would buy again in a heartbeat!!!

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  The Z with the Sun - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Errol - June 15 - 5:40 pm

  With the top up or down this is the car. The trunk is larger than expected and presents no problem for vacations drive (other thanthe CHP spotting you). Love it - worth every dollar spent.

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  Exceeds Expectations! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Al - June 15 - 1:33 pm

  Probably the finest car IÂ’ve had at any price. Drive train perfectly matched with transmission. Excellent handling and braking dynamics. Smooth quiet ride. Roomy, comfortable interior. Unusual dashboard and instrumentation design is pleasingly different, well assembled of soft, high quality materials. Well placed controls operate with feeling of quality and precision. Altima glides along with smoothness and comportment of a luxury car. Everything is tightly constructed - no rattles or strange noises. The body feels as tight as a tank. Drive-by-wire throttle control system operates without hesitation as it should. Wonderfully powerful engine. The Altima is an absolute blast to drive!

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  1996 Nissan Maxima - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By dre1665626 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  The car runs smooth nice stereo bose >>>Sliding sunroof nice leather interior >>bumpers are a little tender very eas to scratch >>>brakes work well >>> Great car.

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  Great Car - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By JackoB - June 15 - 10:00 am

  We bought the 03 GLE because we have had such good service from our "91 Maxima. Our son now drives the 91 which has over 125K miles on it. This GLE is an awesome car and it is a pleasure to drive. One problem is that I always have the temptation to kick it and I know sooner or later it will get me a ticket. We have put close to 7000 miles on it in the year we have had it.

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  A great built car - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima_Man - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for about a month now so I havnt really had the chance to experience problems.But I know that the maxima is a great built car because my mother has an infiniti I30.The maxima and the infiniti I30 have the exact same engines and many of the same features and components since infiniti is a branch of nissan.She has plenty of mileage on her car and has experienced almost zero problems.As for the maxima,I love it.Its roomy,fast,and offers many great features. It is one of the best cars I have driven and think its a well priced car for what you get.It is an all around great car. I definitely recommend this car to anyone.

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  None - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By SnagaFromCHS - June 15 - 10:00 am

  So far the best suv ive eer driven.

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  Its awsome - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By coryell - June 15 - 10:00 am

  This is the most vehicle for the money ! We love it this is my 7th nissan

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  Excellent! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Patraleyeon - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY NEW NISSAN QUEST! ITS ROOMY, STYLISH, HUGS THE CURVES, THE COLOR IS AWESOME AND EVERYTHING IS RIGHT IN REACH. MY SON LOVES IT. MY BOYFRIEND LOVES IT TOO. AND THE PRICE WAS VERY VERY REASONABLE FOR THIS MINIVAN.

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  2004 350z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By csm - June 15 - 10:00 am

  great automobile. picked it over the rx8