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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  Great subcompact crossover - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By Dennis - August 15 - 12:43 pm

  The four-cylinder acceleration with the CVT transmission is something to get used to me myself I dont hear any drone in the transmission as some people report fun to Drive. And the optional all-wheel drive on and off button is great that way you dont have to drive in all wheel drive all the time

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  Beautiful and beastly - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By ANDREW BALTHAZOR - August 15 - 9:06 am

  Out of the many vehicles I have owned, this is the best. Great power, comfortable, towing is a breeze. Best of all, the guys I know with american trucks are all realizing their mistakes. Nothing against american trucks, but for the money there is no comparison.

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  Murano - outstanding - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Barb - August 15 - 8:53 am

  Purchased in 2004 and have never regretted the purchase. Best automobile I think I have ever owned.

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  Very practical vehicle - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By benzalkionium@msn.com - August 15 - 12:27 am

  I purchased my Sentra in 2007, new. I still own it, but I primarly drive a Forester XT premium now. I will say there are things I am very dissapointed in regarding these Sentras. Mostly, no antiloc brakes unless you have premium wheels. Also, the seats were very uncomfortable, for me, for long trips, but were fine for driving around town. The wheel and arm rests were designed so that you have to have your arm held up, which was uncomfortable as well. The screen tried to do a lot with very little resolution, and that was always somewhat annoying to me. Also, the car likes to get pushed around by the wind, and the trunk is rather large but the opening is restrictive. However, the car was virtually maintenance free... I did have some work done on a front wheel joint but otherwise nothing has ever needed to be repaired (I have 90K miles on the car). The engine was pretty peppy for a cheap, economy car and out performs the new 2016 models. The gas mileage was usually less than stellar on the interstate as the car is a big wind sail, but on hwys going 55 - 65 I would get over 40, routinely. I liked the layout of the dash and the color of the lights. The headlights gave great visibility. I really enjoyed the keyless entry features, those are awesome and I miss those more than anything with my new vehicle. I was looking forward to getting something else from the day I bought this car, but I knew that for the price (I paid 16 grand for it) it was worth it. 9 years of driving a decent looking, reliable, fuel economic vehicle for roughly 1800/year... I say that is a good deal! And it still is worth about 4500... So, if you see one of these used, I would say consider it if it is under 100,000. If over 100,000, you have a lot of expensive maintenance to do, such as flushing transmission, checking timing belt, new platinum spark plugs, probably needs new shocks.

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  Technology Crap - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By Joe - August 14 - 8:10 pm

  Voice navigation cant detect simple words like publix, Wells Fargo. The list goes on. Its pathetic. Use your phone. Also for some reason blue tooth will work sporadically with pandora and sportily. The Nissan connect has 6 apps you can use no updates. Nissan connect is junk. Leather is beginning to feel dry on passenger seat.

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  Great car, too bad it burns oil! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By KevinWilkin - August 14 - 6:40 pm

  Ive read some reviews, and see the same problems I have. Minor things such as peeling grilles, easily scratched interior plastic & routine balancing the tires I can live with. My Max started to burn oil at 60K. Now before you all say I abused the car, Im a grown 50 year old male that drives normally, changes oil every 4K etc. Of course when I brought the car in at 60K for the oil burning Im told, "sorry out of warranty". Fine, just remember Nissan, a happy customer tells his friends about a great car. A scorned customer tells the world!

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  Is very niiice - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Kikuchiy0 - August 14 - 10:06 am

  Bought a 2.5 S with SL package, very happy. I thought about 3.5 SL pre- purchase, but when I drove the 2.5 it had plenty of power and the better fuel economy was attractive. Seats are very comfortable and the leather is nice, feels nicer than that in most cars. Interior design is intuitive and looks great. Bose stereo system sounds great too. Bluetooth connection to my cell phone is very convenient. Fuel economy averages about what I expected, roughly 28 mpg. The intellikey is awesome, no physical key. Never fumbling with keys is cool, and you cant really lock the fob in the car either (doors wont lock from the outside with the fob inside). Overall Im very happy with this car.

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  AWSOME TRUCK - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Harvey Anthony - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This truck is all and more than I hoped it would be. Its fast when I want, has awsome 4wd capability, and drives like a 2wd.I drove a long way to get it [ 4wd sc not available in my area] and have been happy that I did. Only flaws, kind of flashy for my taste, and I only wonder what the guy was thinking when he made the instrument panel the way he did...awful,but I can live with it!

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  the best - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Roger187 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  good car fun to drive no problems as of yet.

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By sfherrmann - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I drove a Jeep Wrangler for the past several years and I was worried about how I would like this type of vehicle since I was used to a small rugid vehicle. I am so happy that I decided to get the Exterra. It is an awsome car with a great ride and it handles beautifully. I would buy this car again in a second.