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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  Exellent Truck!! - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By Cartier - August 3 - 3:06 pm

  I bought this truck with 40k miles. 145k now. The only problem so far was the muffler. I replace it and the truck keeps performing like new. I am a snowboard instructor. In winter I take this truck to the mountains and is just the perfect truck for it. I replaced the stereo for a nice eclipse deck new speakers and a sub. This truck is comfortable. I haul a 20ft boat and it does not have any problem. Plenty of torque!!

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  the best car for under $70,000 - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By 350z owner - August 3 - 10:00 am

  the best car ive ever driven

• 

  almost perfect - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By value shopper - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Great van, GLE package a must, The only thing I would like, is more HP , I found that with the 5 of us it took some time getting up to a good speed when getting on the Interstate. If they could produce a 200+ HP van , I would be a Quest customer for life.

• 

  No mini-van even comes close!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By J. Garrison - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I was blown away by the new design of the Quest!! The first things I was impressed by were the new features and the roominess. But what really sold me was the way it drives!! Its stylish like a SUV but drives more like a sports car. The pick-up it has is unbelievable. The skyview is awesome!! The Bose stereo and DVD player make you feel like you are in a theater. The ride is very stable and practically no road noise. No mini-van can even come close. I used to be hooked on the Odyssey which now seems so outdated compared to the Quest!!

• 

  Max-Max - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By John McNaughton - August 3 - 10:00 am

  A completely new Maxima. The 3.5 V6 is a gem. The car was a one of the first delivered in Orange Co.CA and had a few things that needed correction. It had a defective windshield which Nissan promptly replaced. No mechanical problems whatsover. We have about 6K miles on the car and it performs flawlessly.

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  i love this car - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By ymc - August 2 - 2:00 pm

  this is the best driving car i have driven better than my old bmw 5 series

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  Would Like Fewer Repairs - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By G. Mains - August 2 - 11:36 am

  I bought it when it came off a two year lease with 32k on it and now have 89k. Have had it now for almost 5 years. Have replaced MAF sensor, O2 sensor, both rear brake calipers, 1 rear brake rotor, and 1 power seat motor. So much more than what I had to do with a previous 96 Camry that didnt need anything until PS work at 107k. Also much more engine and road noise so its not as quiet as I am used to but somewhat more fun to drive, and handles better. Exhaust system started to rattle (now fixed) and there is a rattle in the front passenger door (I think) that is driving me nuts, and cant seem to get fixed. These rattles make the car seem cheap. Leather seats have held up well.

• 

  Its Hip To Be A Cube - 2013 Nissan Cube
  By lynpossible - August 2 - 6:56 am

  I love my Cube, I got an all souped up SL, with a navigation system. My friends love being in the car, Im 53, and I feel like Im bigger than most cars because the seats pump up and offer a great view. Okay gas compared to its competitors - The Soul, Element, and XB - it beats them all. There is so much space for passengers, not so much in the back, but it will handle a trip to Costco with two people just fine. Its not a race car, it has no guts, but comfy for long trips, unless its very windy it can make a lot of noise because the car is a non-aerodynamic cube. Going up a steep mountain isnt the best, I went to Big Bear with it, people passed me, but it made it. Overall B, good price.

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  What its missing - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By texasholly - August 1 - 9:41 pm

  I bought my car about a month ago and I just hit 1,000 miles. averaging 22.8 MPG and I drive 45 HWY miles to work 5 days aweek. I thought I would get better gas milege... its fun to drive and I love it but it lacks in rear visibility, the backup camera is a MUST, but Its difficult to use if youre not used to it. switching lanes is a challenge as well, a small car would be difficult to see and miss... I hope this gets better the longer I have the car. I would buy this car again.

• 

  saved my life - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By D Coyne - August 1 - 5:10 pm

  I bought this truck just in time I owned a little SUV and wanted something a little bigger in case of an accident. Well a few months after I purchased this truck I was rear ended on a freeway by a semi truck going they say 41-50 miles per hour I was at stop and this semi hit me and I hit 4 other cars. I walked out of it I do have a broken lower back and a really batter up body after the accident but it saved my life. The frame on the frontier is well built. My family and I really loved the truck. The only down fall about it is the gas mileage and could use a little more leg room in the back. The ride is like a truck and feels like youre driveing a big truck and has a nice feel to drive.