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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  Transmission problem - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Teriaune - October 5 - 10:12 am

  This car is not worth the money are headache. The transmission is awful. Peace of junk. Please let me no when the class action law suit starts are recall because this is ridiculous.

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  What a Car - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Mike - October 4 - 1:03 pm

  The car is a piece of art. Its performance overall is great, just as expected. The look of the car caught my eye and the interior stood up to my expectations. Overall it is the best car I have ever owned.

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  Best Compact SUV - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By GMan - October 3 - 10:06 pm

  Just got a new Rogue SL AWD in Venom Red with gray cloth interior. What a great little SUV! I tried the CRV and RAV4 before deciding on the Rogue. The CVT is great. Very quiet. Try the Rogue, youll be happy!

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  What was I thinking? - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By fancypants1 - October 3 - 9:06 pm

  I traded my lovely trouble free Honda Accord for this 2005 Murano SL with 82k miles. Was told the previous owner babied this vehicle. The leather is practically perfect so I was like ok. Week 1--the battery dies. I replaced a 2005 Nissan Factory battery in 2013!! With a J-05 code on it. Even after I replaced the battery the car wouldnt start. I tell the dealer I bought it from they cant look at it until monday. I finally get it started but I smell gas just briefly. I make it to dealer only to have the service guy tell me he cant look at it. grrr. I drive back and my gas level depletes pretty quickly. Glad I made it home. I ended up walking to work as I am now out of gas.

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  Love the New X - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By linitbb - October 3 - 8:53 pm

  Best SUV for my dollars. I owned a 4Runner, a Yukon and a CRV. The new Xterra is by far the best. Rugged yet comfortable, powerful yet economical, simple yet refined. Im getting a little over 20 mpg in combined driving with AC and couldnt be happier with the way it handles, drives and looks. A true SUV for on and off road. Nissan has built a winner.

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  Xterra Xtra Special - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By pinemikey - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Got my Xterra Jan 2001 and its the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Been to Nfld , Canada from Deep South Texas -8500 mi round trip & handled like a dream. I think a bigger engine is reqd, but I love my truck. We got the yellow and we still get admiring looks. Best brakes Ive ever experienced. For those who find the seats bad, get out and exercise more so you can make your fat butts smaller. Great on and off road...what a blast!! Solid as a rock and suspension is great. The roads down here should qualify as off roads.

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  XE V6 crew cab - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By jefpay - October 2 - 10:00 am

  My 2003 Crew Cab, XEV6 is my 6th Nissan truck since 1986. I have owned virtually all the body style and both the 4 cyl and 6 cyl engine..The mechanical reliabilty is unmatched. The only problems I have encounters are water pumps and AC failures. While it is underpowered it still remains at the top of my list!!!

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  Building equity to get rid of it! - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Marc C. - October 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has done what it was designed to do which is to get from point A to point B. Never had a break down or anything other than routine maintenance. The interior road noise and 70mph "shimmy" are unbearable on long trips. New tires, 4-wheel alignments, and computer balancing havent helped one bit. And lets not forget the shaky hood. I get nervous driving at highway speeds because the hood shakes up and down like its about to fly off. This car has never been in a collision, but its parts fit together like it has. Im waiting to get the loan paid down enough to trade in on a Monte Carlo or Impala. Ill never buy an import again.

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  AWESOME!!! - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By pacer - October 2 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR ROCKS!!! ILOVE IT FAST AND FUN

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  ITS GOOD - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By JON - October 2 - 10:00 am

  EVERYTHING THAT HAS GONE WRONG HAS BEEN SIMPLE LITTLE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN IXED QUICKLY WITHOUT REPERCUSSIONS