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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  Spring Break Fun! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Jhawk-Jeff - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I picked my Sheer Silver/Charcoal Murano up on 3/21 & its been a blast everyday! I get daily complements & my wife even wants to drive it over her 2001 Surrano Red Spyder. I am not the type of person that gives out 10s very often, but I havent felt this good since I bought my new Cutlass after high school. Note: I still have that 79 for sunny Sundays. I love cars & this one has all the bases covered. I chose this over an MDX & saved $10k in the process. My friends cant believe the 19 city mpg Im getting & the engine isnt even broken in yet

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  What A Great Car!! - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Babs - July 31 - 1:46 am

  I already had a Nissan Maxima 1997. I liked it alot. However, I did look and test drive other cars.(Honda, Toyota, Mazda) They felt great until I got behind the wheel of the 2010 Maxima. I was blown away by the power and comfort. The feeling of luxury and power made my decision an easy one.

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  First Impression - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By JJS - July 30 - 1:10 pm

  I am quite pleased with this truck. I was open minded towards purchasing any brand and type of truck. I chose the Frontier for several reasons: Good build quality; metal where you normally see plastic and good fit. Smoothest shifting Ive ever seen, especially into and out of 4WD. Name brand tires. Power; (V6) plenty of it with decent fuel economy. Not too big, not too small; perfect size for someone who doesnt live in their truck. Drives very well; confident handling and feel. Overall great truck I think. Assembled in USA. Dont be fooled, you cant have someone in the back for any long period of time in King Cab but Im ok with that. Oil filter a little hard to get to.

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  Nice - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Jack - July 30 - 12:33 pm

  Nice truck fun to drive with plenty of power. A lot of standard features that do not come with ford or chevy. It is a well built truck with plenty of room in the interior.

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  Awesome everyday car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By GP - July 30 - 5:40 am

  I bought this car used in April of 2003, and have been very pleased with it. I bought it with 115,900 miles on it and sold it to my brother in August with 134,000. The fuel economy was amazing with the 5-speed - I never got less than 30 mpg on the highway, and even got 35 a few times. I have never had anything major go wrong with it, just the usual maintenence. As my first car, I dont think I could have found a better vehicle. These cars last forever, and nothing beats the always strong and potent VQ30DE!!

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  Will buy another one! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Bill Rabe - July 29 - 8:06 am

  I had a 1994 Altima & it was great. Sold it in 1996. I bought the 4cyl. for gas mileage & have gotten as high as 38 mpg on the road . City 25-30 mpg in decent weather. A little more road noise than my 1994 Altima, its liveable. My driving is split between city & highway & I average about 30-32 mpg at weekly fill ups. Nice car & we get alot of compliments on the car & factory chrome wheels. We will buy another Altima in the future.

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  SIMPLY OUTSTANDING - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Black MAX - July 29 - 4:50 am

  I have owned 5 Black Maximas. The last one was 2006. It was a great car but BORING. The 2009 is just flat fun to drive. It is loaded with all the toys; rides a little harder than the 2006 but it does give the sensation of a 4DSC. I just got back from the mountains and it handled like a dream. MPG was OK but the RUSH I got from pushing on the accelerator probably did not help. Looked at Infiniti G37, Lexus 250IS and 350 and Acura TL. Lexus had the best ride but with comparable features to the MAX it got very pricey. Infiniti did not have the room and Acura was Acura Im just not quite that old yet. For the money the Max was the best value and gets MAXimum ratings on the driving FUNOMETER.

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  I love my new Rogue! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By bbcatz - July 28 - 4:40 pm

  I took delivery of my Rogue last Saturday and took it on its first road trip (340 mi.) the next day. I love it!!! I had leather seat covers put in my SL and I couldnt be happier with the way it looks. Its so comfortable to drive. All my previous cars have been 2 door, this is my first 4 door car and its awesome! I cant believe I drove all these years and raised 2 sons with 2 door cars all this time. I purchased the indigo blue color and its just beautiful. This is just a happy little SUV and Im very pleased with it so far. Ive only had it a week.

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  Its the Best - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Vince Mariner - July 28 - 3:53 pm

  I have owned the Roadster convertible for 10 months now and it has been everything that I had hoped for.

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  I love my car and hope it can last for a while - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By remnissan - July 28 - 6:15 am

  I got this car for my 18th birthday and now am 26 still love this car. My Altima is a beautiful car in and out, it is comfortable and rides smooth gets excellent gas mileage. Exterior looks stylish one thing the car interior materials are aging too quickly as my armrest has a minor split and dashboard around speedometer too but those things dont bother me because all I want the car to do is keep running strong. Got the equipped model includes navigation system, heated seats, blue tooth and power moon roof includes rearview camera. Ive done nothing but routine maintenance and replaced set of tires never a mechanical problem out of it only thing is CVT on these models are junk but other than its a reliable car. Believe got my money worth really love my ALTIMA wont get rid of her until she gets tired of serving me with me taking excellent cared of her she might just try her best staying alive making me even happier know that I can go out in the morning and cranking her up off headed on highway. The car has a four cylinder is powerful got lots of comments its a very stylish looking car would recommend buying a 07-12 model over 2013-14 models. Trunk space is huge could fit 6 suitcases without a problem this car is definitely built to last so equipped on everything. Just thankful that I bought a good reliable car these cars are so popular and reliable see them everywhere no wonder why they are best ever. Would buy another car from Nissan had a 1997 ALTIMA went 136,000 miles before retiring never a single problem reason bought another ALTIMA this one is best just some of material things arent made well at least engine performs well hope can last 200,000 miles its still running well purrs after taking off a sweet little car. LOOKING FOR A 16 MAXIMA NOW will update that review as well after purchase it all of my cars have been great. THANK YOU NISSAN!!!