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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  Still smiling every time I drive - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Russ Arnold - September 5 - 12:48 pm

  No question the best looking sedan on the market, in my opinion. Love the responsive acceleration, and the drivers seat fits my 64" frame more comfortably than anything Ive driven in a long time. And despite driving aggressively still gets 25 mpg. Love it!

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  Love it, But hate it - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Mandddddyyy - September 5 - 10:26 am

  I bought this car after owning quite a few Chevys, and this is my favorite car to date. I love the power and the handling is great, the car looks great. However I live in upstate NY and we get a lot of snow in the winter, with the TCS it makes it very difficult for me to get around. I have to remember to turn off TCS every time I get in the car if there is any snow. The car absolutely will not go uphill in any snow whether TCS is on or off. And there is a considerable amount of road noise, it always seems like Im yelling over it to talk or turning the music up very loud to hear.

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  Initial thoughts - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By kkc1857 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  These are my initial thoughts: - Superior engine performance. Smooth as silk. I am still way under the 2000 mile mark, but the quality of the engine is unmistakable.(10 points) - Comfort. Cabin needs to be quieter still. Nonetheless, I will compromise here. (8 points) - Fuel economy: This is not a Toyota Echo! - Build quality: I strongly believe that the quality of the big 3 Japanese autos (Honda, Toyota and Nissan) is flat out superior if the product were made in Japan. These 2002/2003 Max are the last of that breed. - Interior: Very pleasant. - Exterior: I felt a slight odd styling, clear feeling of a stop-gap between the 2001 and 2004.

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  Xterra 2000 - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Rino - September 5 - 10:00 am

  For the price its a excellent SUV 4x4.I have had my Xterra XE for a couple of years & not a single problem.The interior dash & trim is pretty basic but the seats, stereo is nice.I had a 1994 4Runner previously & the ride of the Xterra is at par.I really like the exterior design of the Xterra.I have brought the Xterra off- roading a few times & its great. Overall great SUV!!

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  THE ULTIMATE ALTIMA YET.... - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By CAR KZ - September 5 - 3:53 am

  well let me start by writing I sold my 2008 Toyota Avalon touring pkg for this car. this is one comfertable, fun to drive, well equiped, FUEL EFFCIENT, FAST.....etc and the list goes on and on and on... ive owened this car from march/2009 and until today i still look forward driving it. the CVT trany it is the best invention yet that nissan used in their cars. if you ask me about pros and cons all I can say is PROs... PROs. i was a toyota guy for the past 10 years. I tried hondas and more toyotas but didnt like them. im so glad/happy that i bought a nissan it is well build inside and outside.the only think that I had to get used to "WHICH IS NOT A BAD THINK" is CVT trany.

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  great car, fun to drive - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By maya25 - September 4 - 2:36 pm

  My husband and i just bought a used 2006 nissan murano - this is my first SUV and i thought it would be hard to drive but its great, easy and fun to drive, turns well, love the sunroof and the backup camera. Comfortable seats, quiet engine. overall a great car - would definitely recommend.

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  Smart Design - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Smart Design - September 4 - 10:33 am

  Test drove tons of SUVs and nothing compares to the Murano. The outside looks compact, but the inside is so smartly configured, my 65", 300 lb husband has no problem getting comfortable! Manuevers better than my previous sedan, however it does lack the zip my sedan had. But once you get going, power is not a problem. Interior is beautiful and the standard model includes some great features which makes the Murano a great value.

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  Head Turner - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Beach Bum - September 4 - 10:13 am

  Overall my 2005 Nissan Titan is what I expected. It has great looks, a great engine sound, and the performance to go with it. This truck will scream just looking at the gas pedal, and the steering is awesome. No other truck can match the tightness, steering, and standard features wich come with the "LE". sprayed bed-liner, bed lock-box, tie-down rails, bed extender, etc. I dont see Ford, Dodge, or GM attempting these standard features. I use this truck as a beach buggy in the Summer, and it performs as expected "NO PROBLEMS". In fact, I have not encountered a problem of any kind so far. Bottom line: if you test drive this vehicle, you will buy it.

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  350Z best buy - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By maureen sloggie - September 3 - 10:36 pm

  I am 49 and waited for a car that caught my atttention well 350z did just that. The performance in this car is life changing. Every time I drive this car I cannot help but smile I find the long way to go to and from where ever I am heading. I have owned 7 Corvettes and this car out passes all my expectations.It is soild responsive and just plain beautiful. The interior is hugs your body. Details are all over the car even in the AC vent with the Z in the vents. The one touch roof opening in the roadster is awsome. I love this car and recommend it. Worth every cent I paid.

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  I Love My New Car - 2017 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ed Wankovsky - September 3 - 12:00 pm

  I drive my red Pathfinder with pride. It, really, turns heads. It is comfortable and secure, with plenty of storage. My only problems have been electrical issues and I am disappointed with the gas mileage. Hopefully a recent repair and with breaking in the engine will solve both issues.