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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  Luv my Altima - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By amyf1 - October 4 - 9:53 am

  This is my 2nd Nissan (prev owned a 93 Sentra) and I hardly had a lick of trouble with either of them. Take care of and maintain them and they go, go, go. Could use more power occasionally. I think the dashboard, controls, and storage compartments are very well designed as well as the cupholders!

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  1st Z - 2016 Nissan 370Z
  By Craig - October 4 - 7:48 am

  I really enjoy the ride and quickness of this Z. It is comfortable inside and is a eye catcher out side.

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  Great Truck - get rid of the rattles - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By John - October 2 - 4:43 pm

  I use my truck everyday to haul all types of things (family of 5, 1 dog, all travel accessories to keep them occupied), pulls trailers well, handles well in bad weather conditions, enjoy the ride height (higher than normal for 2WD truck models)

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  Almost Perfect - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By BLC3 - October 1 - 12:06 pm

  A wonderful, comfortable and practical SUV. With some glitches in the software that runs the transmission. Nissan designs and manufactures a strong product, but their software folks need help. And when problems emerge, the weakness of some of their dealership service folks emerge.

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  Great SUV that is hard to beat. - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Bob Ciammaichella - October 1 - 11:03 am

  This is the first foreign car that I have purchased. To date I have not had one thing that I have had go wrong, and I have had nothing to take it to the dealers for after the purchase, I havent been able to find a thing wrong with this car. It has more than enough power for all conditions and is loaded with featuers. I considered this the best car on the market for its price. This replaced a Grand Cherokee.

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  "ANOTHER AMAZING NISSAN OFFERING" - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By WB1013 - September 30 - 11:43 pm

  2.0s manual-great car for its class and initial investment. Drove both the manual/CVT although I was pleased with the CVT-went with the manual (like to get to the gear I want). I get an amazing average 34 mpg-99% of the time I am the only one in the car/dont carry a lot/and am on the interstate-so that has a much to do with it. Nissans fabric (mesh-like) choice was ingenious- shows zero wear-trunk is spacious-back seat is ample-int design is comfortable (I am 6,1) and well thought-out. Had one issue (warranty) climate control fan went out-sounded like I had a helicopter blade rotating in the dash. Fixed and no issues since. Nissan always seems to embody quality and value (have owned 6) great- car!

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  Frontier for you? - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By gjc345 - September 30 - 5:56 pm

  The new Frontier is a very capable truck.I have alwalys owned Ford trucks until I purchased new Frontier.Power for a V-6 4dr is very good. Pulls very well. Only fault is small cargo space but bought for carrying more people than cargo.

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  Super - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Herc95 - September 30 - 3:40 pm

  I traded an Infiniti G35X in on my Altima. I drive approx. 100 miles per day, mostly highway. I used to stop twice a week or more to fill up with Premium unleaded. I now stop less than once per week. I am averaging over 36 miles per gallon, this is with setting the cruise on the highway portion at 73- 74. What a money and time saver. Enjoyable and fun to drive.

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  Just Bought - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By 2003Spec-V - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for a day now. The car is real fun to drive. Great pick up even without down shifting. Rides real nice. Turns well. I got it with all the options plus some. SE-R engraved leather seats, SE-R Bra, Wheel Locks,Moonroof visor.Rockford Fosgate sound system. Little bit more than some competiors but alot better of a car in my opinion.

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  Nissan Frontier Great Pick-UP Truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By onezik - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This truck is great in ice or snow if you know how to drive it. Not great on gas but looks great and extremely reliable. It is not a fast truck but will not let you down and looks great. I Love My Frontier