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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  First time without a Ford - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ALinNJ - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Frods all my life. With my wife I have driven Dodge, Jeep and Chevy. I test drove the full size pick ups on the market and Chose the Titan. I have never had a vehicle this fun to drive. The entire sales experience was even a pleasure. I kept waiting for the old fashion games but they did not come just a fully loaded, appropriatly priced, excellently designed machine. Nissans new US plant is building a great piece of equipment.

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  GO TITAN GOOOOOOO!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Noel55 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This truck has it all even poor gas milage. I love it but wish it got better gas milage. One complaint is the radio reflection in back window when looking in rear view mirror.

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  Great buy - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By birmingham 2 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is an addendum to my earlier review. Just wondering if anyone else has had any problems. At 3000 miles, my rotors are completely warped. The dealer told me that they got a bad bunch of pads and will replace all the rotors and pads whenever they become available. Today my shift linkage broke. Overall a great truck if they get the bugs out.

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  This is a sweet ride. - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By rbbcpa - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Maxima, although weve owned several Sentras. True to the Nissan form, this is a well-built vehicle. I looked real hard at the G35 and for value and features the Maxima won out. Besides, there are a lot of G35s on the road now, yet the Maxima is still fun to spot. Great looking car, and I love the xenon HID lights.

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  Very sad and disapointed - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Kara Slocum - June 26 - 11:50 pm

  I bought my 1st new car and it was my 2004 Nissan Maxima SE. after 74,000 miles; 4k over warranty my transmission is shot along with 2 motor mounts. Nissan of North America had the worst customer service ever and does not want to help with anything! $43,000 for my 1st car that lasted 74k. wow my heart is broken, dont know if I will ever by a Nissan again. I plan on writing a letter to the CEO; lets all try that, just maybe will get somewhere???

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  Nissan Xterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Bob - June 26 - 9:30 pm

  Just bought a new 2005 leftover Nissan Xterra S at a sweet price. The truck is muscully (you know theres power here) and great to drive. I did not want to get a wimpy honda crv and the toyota forerunner was alot more cash. Looking forward to more snow here in New England. For an off-road vehicle at a low to mid 20s price without looking like a family type minivan, it cant be beat

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  Excellent Long Term Vehicle - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By dave - June 26 - 7:23 pm

  Great vehicle all-around. This car has had no repairs needed in 6.5 years of new car ownership (106k miles so far). Swap out the oil, filters, brakes, fluids, wiper blades, tires now and then and she keeps right on rolling along. Great commuter car.

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  fine lease value - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By marty g - June 26 - 7:00 pm

  had car six months with no problems. four cyl performs like a six.good on gas.would do it again.

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  Good Car, Needs some Care - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By raj - June 26 - 3:50 pm

  Bought the car from route22 nissan. nice car for a good deal and everything was smooth until I found out the AC is not blowing cold air. Called up service and they said its air conditioner and not air cooler and will only go 30 degrees of whats it outside.if its 90 outside inside will cool to 60 but I dont know if the AC has sensors as it turns off by itself and blows air and again it starts blowing cold air.The car is excellent other than AC.

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  Totaled - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By ijustdontknow - June 26 - 3:00 pm

  I had a 2005 Altima for about 2 1/2 years until it was just totaled in September. I loved this car. I had some issues but she would get up and go when I needed her too. I was having to replace some things but I had to remember she was almost 10 years old and had 208,000 miles... it was time. Not sure I would buy another nissan due to the fact during my wreck I received 2nd degree chemical burns from the airbag. I called the main number for Nissan to find out what chemicals in the airbag were, they had to call someone else to find out. A week later they called me back and said they couldnt give out that information to consumers. Really ??? Its a secret?? I went back to a Chevy..