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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  I Sold It After 3 Months! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Sarah S - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchasing a Murano was not one of my better ideas! The estimated city fuel economy rating in the sales brochure proved to be a figment of Nissans imagination. I got 2/3 of the estimated fuel economy per tank. When I took it in for its first check up, the dealer fixed none of the 3 items I identified. They had "never" heard of its repeated tendency to lock & unlock its doors all by itself, even though this is listed in the Lemon Aid book as a common problem. Driving this vehicle was like driving a luxury "boat", very comfy and quite but nowhere in the realm of fun! It has been replaced by a Mazda 6 Sports Wagon!

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  reliable - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By kidpatsy - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the third Nissan 4 wheel drive I have owned. Put 120M with no problems on first one, $75M on second one and my kid is still driving with no problems.

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  my kickass titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By kendall titan - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the best truck ever built flat out.

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  I Love This Truck! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Babe1 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  In March 2003,I bought a Frontier;In November 2003 I went to a car show and encountered the Titan.Fell in love and the rest is history.March 1,2004 I bought my SE king cab. This truck is the best looking thing on the highway, not to mention the best preformance in a vehicle that I have ever encountered.It drives and rides better than most car I have driven. My only regret is that I had to wait until March until they were offered in my area!

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  nissan 350z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By shane - May 28 - 10:00 am

  very cool car. nice features, rides very smooth nice all around car. and perfect price.

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  Great Car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By castillo74 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Great Car. Cant go wrong with this awesome, fun, fast car.

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  Pleased with ZZZZZZ - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By EnthuZed - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for 14 months now with absolutely no problems. It is a second vehicle and does not get many miles. However, I look forward to each and every one. I do not know of any car in this price range with this much performance and eye appeal.

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  Perrrrrfect - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By MRW - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Love the power and handling (total performance). Its an awesome ride!

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  Love my new Altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Lartey4764 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I have a 1998 Altima. I gave it to my son. I borrowed his car and could feel the difference in speed and shigting. I rate my 2005 Altima as a 10

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  better then expected - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By tonynavy - May 28 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle continues to be better then expected, even though we had a 2002 model