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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  Fun money pit - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By howy67 - February 20 - 4:10 am

  Bought the car in 10/2003 with 28000 miles on it, coming off a fleet lease. Now has 73000 miles. Wifes car - she enjoys the car, good visibility for short petite person. Grown kids refer to it as the green goblin. Its a nice solid, if overpowered car. Expensive repairs over the long haul (e.g. MAF, coils, muffler, gas vent canister, ball joint,drive shaft boots). No go in snow-overpowered, skidish.

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  good value - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By defabian - February 20 - 2:26 am

  This is a good value car. Yes, I would have preferred the handling of a Honda Civic, but with the Sentra, I got a reliable car, reasonable performance, and many, many toys (remote keyless entry, alloy wheels, 300W 7-speaker sound system, spoiler, etc.) for $5,000 less than the best price I could get on a base model Civic. The compromise - an older design due for an upgrade and average performance, including handling and fuel economy. Overall, I feel very good about my selection.

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  Xterra - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Bauer23169 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  i purchased this vehicle certified pre owned with 22k miles. right from the start it was my favorite suv, i have driven hundreds of different vehicles (sales and service) and hae not found anything like it. this is a true SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. a lot complain about the ride and few features, new SUVs are more like Luxury Utility Vehicles. this vehicle is everything that nissan sells it as. from the medi kit in the trunk to the standard roof rack and SPORT amenities. this tough RELIABLE vehicle is a true SPORT Utility Vehicle

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  2004 Nissan Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Lindseybsu - February 20 - 2:00 am

  So far I have had excellent luck w/ my Altima. It is extremely fun to drive, affordable, and comes w/ numerous luxurious options for a great price.

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  Family of Xterras - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By tex500 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  purchased this 2002 Xterra, 11 months after purchasing the previous years model for my wife. I have driven many miles in this Xterra, shooting photos at race tracks across America. It has has been down some of the roughest roads, and not skipped a beat. The (e)Xterior, when washed, looks as good as the day I drove it off the lot. I even use it to pull a cargo trailer at times. Before the trailer, we amazed ourselves at how much equipment we could fit in the back with the seats folded down. Highway mileage is about 18-19 mpg. Not what I expected when I bought the first Xterra, but actually an improvement over the 2001 model.

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  mytruck - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By rayh - February 20 - 2:00 am

  The Frontier longbed doesnt have a very tight turning radius, so I find myself backing up to get centered in parking spots; average gas mileage is around 16; Im not a large guy but even with the steering wheel all the way up it still catches my legs getting in and out. Although it has 4 doors, theres very little leg-room in back. My child- seat in the back is only inches from the front seat, so I have to get the kid out side-saddle, and he can kick me upside the head any time he wants. The inside was obviously not designed by or for anyone in North America.

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  Dreamed of Chevy but discovered Titan!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By jarmas - February 20 - 2:00 am

  POWER, comfort, stability and more POWER! I have always said there was nothing like an American made truck and dreamed of a new Silverado, Sierra or Ram w/ Hemi until I test drove the Titan. Awesome truck! I owned a Ford F-150 but quality was poor. The standard features on a SE model alone are amazing but I added the “utility bed package” and the “big tow package.” Yeah some of you may say the “HEMI” 5.7 liter 16 valve has more horse power (345 to Titans 305) but it also has less torque (275 to Titans 379) and remember that this is the Titans STANDARD 5.6 , 32 valve engine. I purchased a Crew Cab SE 2WD Titan in January 2004 and love it.

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  Ive gone to the dark side! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By MyTitan - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Im not a truck owner type but after test driving the Titan, I am now! You can say that the Titan has brought me to the dark side. I’ve always thought the large vehicle craze was ridicules, why own an oversized scrape of metal on 4 wheels that sucks down gas like no tomorrow. Fuel economy was no longer my concern once I felt the power of the 5.6 L engine, what a joy! Great job Nissan on your first Full- size pick up truck!

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  quick and roomy for the price - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By elephantfoot - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for the room, style and power. It is very powerful for a 4 cylinder drives very easly and gets good fuel economy. I have only found a couple faults with this car first being that the tires from the factory really suck,(noisy and flat spot easily) second is with the charcoal fabric, shows dirt and lint all the time and is prone to prematurely wear out. Otherwise is and excellent buy for the money!

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  Loaded 3.5 SE - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By RAY IN VA - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Equipped to Journeyman Package Level plus VDC control and stability option. Other equipment included: GPS Nav System,LCD computerized instrument display, moon roof,350 watt "tuned to car" Bose stereo system, heated leather seats/steering wheel, Serius Satelite Radio. First car since my new 1969 BMW that Blew me away with cars impressive balance of solid performance, handling, braking and interior luxury/comfort. Impressed with exceptionally good gas mileage. Interesting note on back of gas lid door says "For maximum performance use premium fuel."