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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  Godzilla! What you heard is true! - 2010 Nissan GT-R
  By AK - April 29 - 4:23 am

  This car simply blows me away! I have been driving 2003 M5 until now. The GTR is quite comfortable to drive as a daily commute and it is a blast to go to work. I do not agree with the Edmunds review regarding the suspension. It is very tight but it is comfortable enough for daily use. I have not driven a car that handles this well. The car is surprisingly quiet enough to hols a conversation even at high speed. All of the electronics are state of the art. Compared to the German made cars, you can appreciate how meticulously the Nissan engineers put this car together. This car should be considered seriously if you are interested in purchasing a true sports car.

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  best truck ever owned - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By timothy meier - April 29 - 4:06 am

  i absolutely love driving this truck. the comfort and feel of the vehicle is great. and the power is great.

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  So reliable - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By sdepaiva - April 28 - 10:46 pm

  Bought my 3.5 on the internet, sight unseen. Best deal and was lucky to come across it. 2002 w/12000 miles on it, one owner, traded in to same dealer for newer vehicle. Responsive handling, nicely thought out interior features, got 31 mpg driving from Cincinnati to Ft Myers. Never a moment of trouble. I love the sporty look with the spoiler. Bose 6 CD had superb sound. I researched cars for about a year before purchasing. Altima had the biggest trunk in its class, and the most knee room in the backseat. Its fuel efficiency couldnt be beat. It pretty much created its own class. The only reason I got rid of it was to trade it for a 2006 with warranty, but selected same colors! Loved it.

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  CAN YOU BE IN LOVE WITH A SUV? CUZ I AM! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By fabulous990 - April 28 - 5:14 pm

  This suv has everything I was looking for and more! Highly recommended! Being 510" and crouching into a Civic killed by back so this is great! Decent gas mileage, but I didnt expect it to do wonders especially coming from a small car to a SUV.

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  96 Maxima Review - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By AlexMaxima96 - April 28 - 10:00 am

  Bought 96 Maxima brand new. Now 7.5 yrs old with 82k miles. Have had almost no major problems, unbelievably great car. Plan on keeping for at least another few years. This car has been really good to me :)

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  go maxima for maximum performance - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By g-mann - April 28 - 10:00 am

  The maxima is one of the best cars i have ever owned, besides the visible fact that it can be a little hard on gas, its performance and comfort is worth every dollar of fuel you invest in. The maxima is also very reliable but that can also be said for most nissan products. If you like to put a vehicle to the test and be considered as one of the fastest on the street but still want to hide performance parts or give your mother or grandmother something to take grocery shopping, the nissan maxima is the car for you.

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  Maxima keeps getting better - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Aaron LA - April 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd Maxima, had a 87, 91 and now this. I have had it for over a year and have put 30,000 miles on it. Just had to replace brakes and tires. Its a GREAT car with great features. Super reliable, has great pick up (especially since mine is manual), great friendly features, and overall is a fun car to drive. I do wish it had more power like the newer versions though. Bottom line, an incredible car at a reasonable price.

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  Elegant Performance - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Todd L. - April 28 - 10:00 am

  The Nissan Murano is hands down the best vehicle that Ive ever owned. The styling is unique and elegant. Performance is on par with larger SUVs with larger engines. The fit and finish is excellent and the materials are top notch. Ive had my Murano for almost six months and have not experienced even the slightest of problems. Nissan has gone a long way in ensuring that this vehicle is on par with its upscale and more expensive competition. In my opinion, anyone looking for a midsized, luxury SUV owes it to themselves to take a look at the Murano. I assure you that it compares favorably with the BMW X3, Mercedes Benz M and the Lexus RX.

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  My Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Wolfy27 - April 28 - 10:00 am

  I waited over a year to buy my Murano and know that I have it, I cant believe I waited so long. The dealership was great to work with. I only have one complaint about the Murano so far - color selections. I would have liked my Murano in Red or Mauve. However, I settled on Polished Pewter.

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  2005 Nissan Altima 2.5L - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By tleggate - April 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive just purchased this vehicle about a week ago and I cant say enough positive things about it. Engine power is more than enough at 175hp, acceleration is brisk and braking solid. Its surprisingly good in the corners. Only detractors are the paint being a little fragile and the turning radius isnt the best for the size car that it is.