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 car for a GREAT price - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Lucas JP - May 29 - 10:40 am

  I purchased a new 09 Maxima after much research and lots of time looking and driving a few other cars. When I first decided to buy a new car, my wife recommended a MAX because she has an 08 - Well, they are COMPLETELY different. This car feels roomier inside and even drives bigger. The exteriors also look separate. Overall - if you want a car in this price range just go DRIVE a MAX and youll end up taking one home. The tech features as well make it a hard car to pass by. Overall its an awesome car and I wouldnt want any other vehicle in its class...possibly even in a few classes above it.

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  I love my truck!! - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By South Carolina Pride - May 29 - 5:36 am

  I have 29,500 miles on my Nismo Crew 4x2. White with Charcoal interior, tow package, audio upgrade (rockford fosgate 6 disc cd/sub-woofer), power sun-roof, bed-divider/extender. This truck handles well and looks great! I get compliments all the time on this truck. A lot of power. I upgraded the exhaust with a magna-flow exhaust with steel tip pipe adding a nice little growl and about 10 more horses. Plan on adding the air-raid air system/filter for more HP and increased fuel economy. This truck is a KEEPER!!

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  Worse Investment of my life! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By syed786 - May 29 - 12:29 am

  Worse car Ive ever owned. Paint is fading, chrome is chipping off the front grill, Ive only owned this car for about 12 days, and already had to replace the clutch(which dint help with fading or going to the floor), water pump, radiator, hose, and head gasket. I had the car inspected 2nd day I had it and I was told it was flawless. Performance is poor, theres no such thing like fuel economy in this car, no oil leak but still have to add oil every week, replaced two rear tires already, one of the rims bent already...Do I need to say more? Worse car Ive ever owned in my life. I wish I can take Nissan to court for these faulty factory defects

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  2011 King Cab 4X4 - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By john528 - May 28 - 9:51 pm

  I got it with the utility package. This means it has some whistle and bells. I compared to the Tacoma. The nissan to me road better. The cost of Toyota vs Nissan made it an easy choice Gas milage - 16city 19 combined

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  The JUKE is fun, sporty, great gas mileage! - 2012 Nissan Juke
  By alidab - May 28 - 7:38 pm

  Never bought a Nissan in my life. Was at car lot with sister in law, as she wanted an Altima (WHY? I thought). Saw this COOL looking, froggy car with black leather (heated) seats with red baseball stitching...looks inside like an airplane with the RED hard doors/dash. Exterior is the gun metallic. The car is for single person or SMALL family ..dont plan on putting four peoples camping supplies in it for the week! THe back seat does go down, making it larger if no passengers in back. The gas mileage---one has to manually put it in "econo" mode...and drive it like Granny would. If you put it in sports mode and use the paddle shifter-like it was a manual trans, you get performance !

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  Quest 04 Not Reliable - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By mecquest04 - May 28 - 6:10 pm

  Attracted to the styling and drivetrain of this vehicle. Unfortunately quality is a large concern. Brakes wear out prematurely. Tires are in need of replacement after 30k miles. Noisy doors that get better and then worse again. Mirrors with intermittent problems. Company does not stand behind this vehicle, either. Delay you with excuses until items are out of warranty and then you pay. Refuse to admit any issues are not normal wear and tear. Cannot recommend this vehicle or Nissan in general based on our experience. Beware used Quests if 04!

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  Value+ - 2009 Nissan GT-R
  By JMarcinkevich - May 28 - 1:43 pm

  Nothing compares to this vehicle. You cannot beat it for the dollars, almost nothing can beat its performance, the fit and finish work very well at this price point, and it does not need to make a lot of noise to get the job done or attract attention. Looks certainly do attract attention, it is different, not for that purpose, but to again get the job done! Its the aero efficiency, the 2+2 ability, and real trunk space. The numbers are widely known, why would an informed, intelligent, and cost conscious consumer buy anything else?

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  2.5SL Great Ride! - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Coach - May 28 - 10:50 am

  I wanted to like the new 2011 Sonata, drove one for 3 days, nice but just couldnt pull the trigger. Dealership also had Nissans so I decided to drive the Altima 2.5 SL as a comparison. The Sonata has the looks, but thats really were it ended. The Altimas ride is far better, handling is better, and the COMFORT is way superior (despite Sonta having more backseat room). The SLs options were almost identical (no back seat heater). Im at 3,900 miles, getting 33 mph on the Hwy, 29 city, no complaints. The CVT is different, but not at all bothersome. This is a really nice vehicle--and for the price a great value!

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  Long Term Relationship - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Original Owner - May 28 - 10:40 am

  Bought new and now have 185,000 miles. A great car to own that has never left us stranded. Other than needing front rotors every 20k miles, it is a very low maintenance car. A few of the dash lights work when they want to and the check engine light stays on from time to time. Dealer says no car throws a check engine code more frequently than this generation of Maxima but not to worry about it. Interior has held up amazing despite my now 7 year old. Rust is starting around the rear wheel wells so we are shopping for a new car. Prefer to stick with Nissan since this car has been so much better than my BMWs.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By jhumbug - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this car used in 1999 with 55,000 miles. Now have 138,000 miles on it. Have been waiting patiently for it to fall apart so I can justify getting a new car, but the blasted thing just keeps going, and going, and going. No major repairs in the four years Ive had the car. It runs just as well as the day I bought it.