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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  Limits of FWD - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By RastaMax - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the SE model figuring it would be a good combination of sport and utility. The car has lived up to some of its expectations and fell short on others. Its still a pleasure to drive with its powerful, torquey engine which undoubtably is to much for the FWD platform. Torque steer is abundant especially with the overboosted powersteering. I spent a lot of money to get it to handle like a "sports" sedan(bigger wheels, better tires, lower, stiffer springs and shocks, sway bar, strut brace)Its an excellent engine inside a good looking shell on top of an under performing chassis.

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  Altima1/04 - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By SteveA - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Good pick-up on Freeway & excellent passing power. Large trunk & very roomy.

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  so cool - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By jrbryars - January 7 - 2:00 am

  i love it. wish we had gotten a different color, though. everyone seems to have it.

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  My Mini-BMW in Volcanic Orange - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By amgpig9 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I chose this Sentra after having driven the 1.8S, the 2.5S, and the Altima 2.5S. The Altima, while nice, was too big and "family car." The 1.8S and 2.5S Sentras were too dull, despite the facelift (I just came from a 98 Mitsubishi Mirage…so I know from slow.) This SE-R was just right. The Altima’s torque-rich, responsive engine, the sporty size, and the solid Nissan build quality. Plus the updated look, while bizarre on the "normal" Sentras, works like a charm on the SE-R models (I think it has to do with the paint choices.) It’s fast…it’s loaded (sunroof/ABS/160-Watt stereo), and it’s a Volcanic Orange masterpiece!

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  ok car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By john - January 6 - 12:00 pm

  i got this car for my wife for Christmas 2003 car did us right for aprox 3 years brought back to dealer for 3 recalls dealer insisted we need a service when dropping off the car we were not getting suckered for those ridiculous prices we maintain this car like a baby oil change every 3k all the time. after getting car back from dealer for recalls we had numerous problems sevice light would always go on car ran very rough when idling had to get it towed back to dealer 2 months later this went on for a year and a half costing $300 each time sensor sensor sensor every dam sensor seamed to be changed now running ok but the gas mileage stinks 18-22 mpg my wife loves her car i dont too big for 4c

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  The Best is Still the Best - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By 94 GXE - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a used 94 GXE back in 99 with 67K on the meter. A preoccupied lady run head on and totalled my trusty Max and I walked away with nary a scratch. Amazing. I put on another 61K with NO problems whatsoever - wearables dont count of sourse. SInce the accident i have been lookinbg for a replacement from other makes and NEVER found a model that is in totality comparable to the Maxima I had in terms of build quality, fun performance, reliability and cost of ownership. I am now convinced that another Maxima is the only way to go for me. The 97 will be my next car when I can find a reasonably priced one.

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  nissan quality - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By bill sivi - January 6 - 10:00 am

  i bought new le in nov. put 1000 miles on, changed oil, hooked up 2500# mcycle trailer and 1000 mi to fla. put 3000 mi on in fla. hooked up trailer and headed home. 4000 mi and not one problem.

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  I DIDNT FIT (DID NOT BUY) - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By SLIM LOEWE - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I DID ALL MY HOMEWORK. CONSUMERS REPORT,EDMUNDS.COM. I WENT TO PURCHASE A LE. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT LIKE LEATHER , THE LE HAD IT SO I COULD GET POWER SEATS.IT ALSO HAD A SUN ROOF (A MUST HAVE). IM 64" AND 195 LBS. THERE WAS NO ROOM! MY HEAD TOUCHED THE ROOF & MY LEGS WERE CRAMPED UP UNDER THE STEERING WEEL WITH NO ROOM ON EITHER SIDE.

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  Great Awsome car - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Itsy Bitsy Spyder - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Cant Buy Anything better for this price range

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  Who Says the Maxima is UGLY?! - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By TraeSmoov - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Great car!! Near luxury car with the performance of a sports car. If you are looking for a car that will take you from 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds, has room for 5, has the one of the worlds best V6 engines, an impeccable reliability record and has luxury amenities to boot all for under $30K then look no further than the Max!!