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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  If you love to drive - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Terry Tedford - March 6 - 8:18 am

  This is a drivers car. Great pickup and engine growl in sport mode. Its a heavy car so handling is good but not great. During a 4 hour drive the seats stayed wonderfully comfortable. Firm and supportive. While at a stop light, several people have told me how great the car looks. So far very satisfied.

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  Flawed Model - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Chuck - March 6 - 2:46 am

  The Nissan Maxima has always been a "dream car" of mine. Now that I finally own one, I am a bit disappointed. To its credit, the car is beautiful inside and out and a blast to drive. Unfortunately, all my visits to the service department have soured my overall experience. In two years, I have had two recalls. One for a wire in the seat (minor), and another for a corroding rear sub- frame. The latter is a major repair. The battery has also corroded on me and I have had 2 front-driver-side struts go out in less than a years time. There seems to be a lot of corroding going on for a car less than two years old. Yes, its still under warranty, but I feel my troubles are just beginning.

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  Back to a Titan - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Martini - March 6 - 2:03 am

  I owned an 05 for 3 1/2 years when gas prices peaked. Panic set in so I traded in for an Acura RL. 18 months later I had to go back to a full size pick up. Looked at Ford (liked it, especially the SYNC), Toyota (really liked it, before the recall), Chevy (liked it but wow what a price), Dodge (did not like it at all, funny but I love it in the commercials). When I got back into the Titan (last one I drove) I felt at home and the price was right. Loaded up LE 4x4 crew cab beat the extended cab Tundra by some four grand. Two weeks after my purchase the recall hit and I looked like a genius :-P

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  Good 4 Dr. Sedan Choice! - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By ncgent - March 5 - 7:36 pm

  Owned this car for just over 1 month, and I know I made the right choice. I had 23 choices: Accord, Camry or an Altima. I was looking at the 6 cyl. versions of these sedans. Nissan came through in quality of the interior over the Camry. The Honda had more road noise than the others. The Nissan was the most comfortable for me (61", 200#). The handling was superior in the Altima - it felt most in touch with the road. I thought I would not like the transmission, but I LOVE the CVT. No harsh shifting points. The CVT does make a noise when accelerate or shutting the engine down like a jet engine. The 10 year CVT warranty assured me it is ok. I do not hesitate to recommend it.

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  2007 maxima se - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By sueby - March 5 - 4:10 pm

  love the car.. se maxima loaded with preferred sensory package and nav.. its awesome. everything i expected

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  Survived - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By survivor - March 5 - 12:16 pm

  I did not have this car for long before I was in a wreck. Overall though, I would reccomend this car to anyone as long as they could pay the gas. One of the safest cars I have been in. Hit by an eighteen wheel on dirvers side. Airbags didnt go off. We suspect it was too much of a side impact to set them. Probably would have caused more injury if they did. Walked away with two minor cuts ( very minor...didnt know they were there until my mind could process what had just happened) and a slightly fractured shoulder. The fracture didnt keep me from using my arm though. Wreck was caused by my own stupidity. had car for only 3 months.

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  Whole lot of truck for the money! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Rocket Man!! - March 5 - 10:23 am

  I consider this suv to be a bargain for what it has to offer, its comfortable, spacious, powerful, Responsive,it has smooth handling, excellent sound system, and a bold design. Nissan has stepped up to the plate in the SUV battle, they are offering a solid contender for thousands $$ cheaper. I did my homework and in my opinion this was the best SUV for the buck.

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  Its great to own a Versa - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By shannon - March 5 - 9:16 am

  Great car, had Hondas previously and like the Versa so much better, and the top of technology put into it and having a look of a European car. In black its really cool looking, drives great and has a great sound system. You never see the hood of the car, you look out your windshield and only see the road, really different then any car Ive ever driven.

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  Great car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Tom - March 5 - 9:03 am

  Has been a great car! Biggest issues have been early tire wear, clouding of the headlamps and the fact that the air conditioning really saps power from the engine.

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  Whats up with the gearing ? - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By TOM - March 5 - 2:03 am

  This truck is very comfortable, quiet cab, nice controls etc... but what really makes this truck disappointing is the GEARING. Nissan posts the truck has 379 ft/lbs of torque and the lowest gears you can get are 3.36:1 with the big tow package. The best fuel miles Ive gotten are 16mpg on the highway. You cannot make this truck accelerate just because it has a 5-speed transmission. Go Drive a NEW Silverado with a 5.3L (smaller) engine w/ 3.73:1 gears, result - the Chevy will out pull, out accelerate this Nissan everyday of the week and twice on Sundays plus the Silverado gets 19- 20mpg on the highway because of its OVERDRIVE transmission. GEARING is EVERYTHING in a truck this heavy. GM wins.