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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  XE Model, AT, 4WD - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Dan Wilner - October 16 - 1:13 am

  I purchased this SUV in June 2004. I have been very satisfied with it. While it is built for rugged use, it is excellent around town and on the highway as long as one realized this automobile is buit on a truck frame and responds accordingly. The interior is comfortable with well thought out space usage. No repairs have been required to date. I highly recommend this SUV.

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  2002 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By brandy - October 15 - 4:36 pm

  The truck drives great the only issue is the gas mileage but that is only becuase I was used to driving a 4 cylinder and this is a V6. Handles wonderful in snow, and rain. Looks nice and I love that we bought it.

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  At last a reliable, big SUV - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Sauerbrey - October 15 - 3:56 am

  Great reliability. Owned Fords for years, but gave up on them due to customer service/reliablity issues. Couldnt be happier with my choice. This rig is bombproof, tows my trailer like its not there, good off-road capability. It just works!!

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  Best car ever purchased - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Henry Oliva - October 15 - 1:50 am

  I have had a very good experience with this vehicle. I would recommend the Armada to anyone. It is fun to drive and everywhere I go I get complimented on my Armada. I am a big guy and the space is incredible, I have never been in an suv with so much leg and arm room. My father is now thinking of purchasing one of his own. He says it looks sleek and very luxurios. If you are in the market for a suv, I give the Armada 2 thumbs up.

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  Unique SUV - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Kingsley A. Antwi - October 14 - 11:56 pm

  I purchased this SUV in August 2006, after shipping my old pathfinder abroad. The body style is unique among all the SUV brands. It has a lot of leg room, good entertainment system and numerous storage places as compared to its competitors. It drives beautiful and stable on highway. It took me half tank from Pembroke Pines to Orlando within 3 hours, pretty good on gas on highway driving. I wont trade in for any other model because of its unique body.

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  what a ride - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By glen - October 14 - 5:30 pm

  This truck is a pure and flat out blast to drive!! And the power.....ohhh the power!! The smoothness of the ride is unequaled..and I test drove the ford and Dodge Ram before I finally drove the Titan!!I am a Titan man for life!!

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  2005 Nissan Pathfinder a Gem - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jude - October 14 - 11:53 am

  After owning strictly American cars, Jaguars, Mercedes and Audis, this is the best value and quality I have ever had. Best priced, best value retention with absolutely no defects or mechanical problems in 2 years.

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  A truck your wife will love - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Oregonlogger - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I can barely get my wife out of the truck so I can drive it. The smooth shifting power and looks really sold me. Turning radius on narrow logging roads is a big plus, shorter than the competition. I can to a lowboy trailer with 4 tons of machine and no holding this beast back. With four burly loggers in the cab, comfort has not been a complaint. Kudos to nissan for making a real truck thats gonna kick some tail.

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  Love my new Max - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By MaxFan - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Just got a SE a few days ago (my 2nd Max after the 97GLE). Been loving every minutes. Been waiting 2-3 years for it to come out. But was a bit put off by the look in the pics (ugly grill and too big). Well, its so much better in person. Only a few other expensive cars can make me wishing to trade the looks. This Max is above the rest in the look department. If you dont like the grill, get an aftermarket one @stillen.com, it will inprove the look a lot more. I sold the old Max @100Kmiles and everything was still solid and smooth for another 100Kmiles.

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  Nissan Altima 2.5 SL - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By 2.5 SL - October 14 - 9:13 am

  I have owned 8 Nissans over the last 12 years. Great reliability! This is one of the best values on the market. Great exterior styling. It looks much better than the other sedans in its price point. With the CVT, you get good acceleration and good gas mileage. Get it in Super Black.