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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  Car with lots to offer - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By gmo7092.5S - June 12 - 7:50 am

  Car is great. Looks really good. Like it in Silver the best. Handles pretty well. Lots of packages ..conv, conv plus and connection package. Looking forward to better reliability than I had with my Olds Alero v6. That was a fun car to drive, but too many issues with the head gasket leaking! Now I have a 4cylinder, but I am liking it. Coupe should have lights/design that sedan has! Love radio but does need quicker way to get from low #d station to higher without having to hold down seek and wait. Also, brakes are a bit touchy. Steering seems to not want to center for some reason. Wind noise is really loud with windows down on faster drive..super loud. Key fab buttons look alike

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  New Pathfinder - 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  By IlikeNissan - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Pathfinder. Our first SE was two-wheel drive, which was sufficient until we moved to Colorado.... we have been so pleased with the Pathfinder performance that we bought the Limited (4WD). We have towed an occasional small trailer, or sometimes a small boat in mountains, and its effortless with this vehicle. Handling in snowstorms, even on hills, has been excellent. Lot of standard items, even in the basic Pathfinder.

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  Original owner - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By primus2000 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  have owned this vehicle since december 2000 super performance and no problems

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  Love my LE - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By jack1619 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  71,000 miles and still runs like new. I love it.

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  Murano in snow - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By terry m - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Great in all weather. I had some concerns about the new CVT trans but it was great in northern MI last week. snow up to the bumper and hills and it went well ( I put it in low and locked the wheels on some steep hills). Smoothest I have had on the highway and my wife has an MDX.

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  Great Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By 2nd Quest - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Had a 1995Quest but leg room was an issue as our 3 children are older. Looked seriously at Sienna because of split third row bench,wind and engine noise in 1995Quest. Style won over, roomy interior, comfortable seating for 7, powerful engine, much quieter ride. Center pod takes time getting used to but much safer for driver. Theres a place for just about everything within the drivers safe reach. Kids actually choose to ride on the row bench seat! Had sliding door gasket reglued at 100 miles but no problems since. 3,500 miles and still loving it.

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  Great blend of sports car and SUV - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By dabombom - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Considering the size of the vehicle (It always looks smaller in pictures) this vehicle has tremedous pick-up and is quite nimble. Its not a sports car, but the point is how close it comes to feeling like one: remarkable for a SUV. Yes, the GPS option is way overpriced, but it works as advertised and is also way-cool. Overall the interior is well-thought out and elegantly designed. Some of the plastic pannels seem to mar and scratch too easily, which is a disappointment in an otherwise upscale enviroment You can tell the engineers were cognisant of the driver experience in every detail. An impressive turn for its first model year.

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  It works - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Raymond - June 11 - 11:50 pm

  Purchased a new 2008 pathfinder one year ago. Towing with the V6 engine is better than expected and is better than the V8 in other SUV I have owned. The ride is quite and comfortable. At 64" head room is ok, better than most other SUVs. Sound system is very good. Heated seats could use more setting than high and low. MPG is acceptable considering it will tow 6000 lbs. Looked at a lot of SUVs and Crossovers. For the money the Pathfinders towing, headroom,interior comfort and overall performance has made it a good deal. A year after buying a Pathfinder I have no regrets.

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  This is the Flagship - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Daniel Capers - June 11 - 7:16 pm

  My wife and I have been waiting on this car for quite some time. we traded in our 05 Maxima for the 09 and dont regret a moment of it. The feel and style, the comfort, the technology, the thought that has gone into providing a true 4 door sports car is evident every time we get in to go somewhere. there are times we have to come up with excuse or reason just to go somewhere so that we can drive the car. My wife and I are Nissan fans anyway, we own a 05 Titan as well. Purchasing the new Maxima was a toss up between the G37S or the Audi A4.... obviously the Maxima won. This car is truly the Nissan flag ship and should be crowned as the 2009 car of the year. Hands down, great job Nissan!

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  ROOMY - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By JOYCE - June 11 - 6:06 pm

  the car seems to be reliable. when travling at a high speed car does not hold well. the interiro is very spacious. front passenger seatbelt lock to close to the body, its hard to get in.