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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  i really like my new maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By willie22970 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  i have just purchased a new maxima...it if wonderful...speed yes, handling great...i did not get the upgraded sound system...the basic is fine, i am really enjoying the car.. ironically it is the first car that people stop and ask me about it..high tech styling...and comfort...i have owned mercedes and bmw...a much better value in the maxima....i even got prferred parking at a very niice club the other night...the valets loved it...

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  Best of most worlds - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Milliam - October 15 - 10:30 pm

  I sold Nissans for a few years and from cumulative knowledge and personal interest, this car was fit the bill among my needs. This is definitely a "drivers car"...you turn corners pretty fast only realizing it after you get passengers grabbing for stationary objects in your car. I have the SE (sports edition) and tires are a little wide (sporty) and could be better in the snow and around corners. Gas mileage on the orig. paper work says 20/26...I have been as high as 32 mpg on highways during mountain driving, speaking to the cars power and refinement. Every fault that I can possibly muster has a reason that the car was made the way it is...sport- sedan.

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  wow - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By joebobster - October 15 - 5:50 pm

  I have done alot of research, and this car is something else...finally purchased it and the stick is very smooth, the ride is excellent...and aweseome acceleration...i got it with the wood trim and emerald green...absoluletly beautiful car...

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  Flagship of the fleet - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Timmer - October 15 - 3:03 pm

  Full size, luxury SUV with all the trimmings. Towing is a breeze with the 5.6 L powerhouse. Interior amenities cradle the passengers in traveling bliss. The Bose sound system is remarkable and the integration of electronics components is well thought out and leaves you saying,"Cool, Now why didnt someone think of that sooner?" Versatility of the interior space is excellent, storage pockets and cup holders for all occupants. Overall an outstanding vehicle, superb quality and craftsmanship. High marks for the design team. Makes driving a big, chunky vehicle fun, not too long to park and excellent turning radius. Looking forward to many happy years of driving this vehicle.

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  Not Pleased - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By br - October 14 - 11:20 am

  I bought this car brand new at the beginning of 2008 however, I purchased the 2007 model. I have 29,000 miles on the vehicle and Nissan has had three recalls on the vehicle. This is important depending on where you live. I could not renew the cars registration until one of the recall issues had been taken care of in my state. I have had my brake calipers replaced already as well. This is my first foreign car, and I am not pleased.

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  4th Pathfinder, still love them - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Lawrence Acabah - October 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th, starting with a 92, had 200k when I sold it, the other 2 were killed by stupid drivers, the latest has been great. The only major issue I have had is when 2 of my injectors failed, it took a while to find the problem but when the dealership mechanic got it he found it right away. Other than that it has been a solid performing vehicle. I use mine for work and family so it is high miles, currently at 180k but it looks and drives like a much newer vehicle. I can see where Nissan has skimped over the years with quality of the interior materials but with the 01 it appeared to come back a bit. Power is perfect for its size. For its age and what it is I have no complaints.

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  Luvin da Mada - 2010 Nissan Armada
  By Luvin the Mada - October 14 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I just bought this awesome car and are totally in love! Im used to driving bigger vehicles but my wife is not and she whips around in this with ease. Still not bad fuel economy for the size and we can easily fit our 2 100 lb dogs, son, and other "stuff" in it with ease. We test drove all other similar class SUVs and NONE compare! Its hard to walk away from the Fords when both my grandfathers worked for Ford in Dearborn, 1 worked with the first Henry Ford (I still have his test track pass for posterity). The infinity version does not justify the $7k add in our opinion. I would back this car 1,000%!

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  Nissan, a great car! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By pat - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I was very surprised by some of the negative reviews I read because this has not been my experience at all. I have never had any problems with the car itself and love driving it and riding in it. It has beautiful styling, rides very comfortably, and has great power which is so important in metropolitan areas where one must accelerate on to highways.Fuel economy on the highway can go as high as 32 mpg with correct fuel but is lower around town 21 mpg .

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  Fantastic Cheap Work Truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By JC - October 14 - 9:10 am

  Bought the Titan to travel to the great white north country and needed 4WD. easy to operate the 4x4 and I drive 800 miles at a stretch. The gas mileage at 80 mph is generally between 18-20 mpg, excellent for a big V-8. Nice exhaust note! The brakes were an issue, but covered under warranty. Had a rear wheel bearing leak after 3yr warranty expired, covered under the 5yr 60K drivetrain warranty. Excellent warranty coverage by Nissan! The sheet metal is a little soft and dents easily. Still running the original tires at almost 40K on a 4x4 - unbelievable!! All around excellent truck, even in the XE no frills package.

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  Maxima freak - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By scott - October 14 - 8:16 am

  This is my first Maxima and I cant find anything wrong with this car. It is powerful and comfortable. Its also very agile and confident.