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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  think again before you purchase - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By patrick magdaleno - June 12 - 12:30 am

  I purchased my titan less than 30 days ago it has already broke down on me twice. the entire electrical shut down both times.

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  Update - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Mike - June 5 - 1:40 pm

  After more ownership, things just get worse. Poor build quality: more things keep falling off/apart. Intermittent failures such as door sensors claiming that a door is ajar when it isnt. Climate controls are AWFUL! Blows 110 degree hot air even down to 65 F setting on the display and the next notch below (60F) blows cold air with NO heat! Impossible to get comfortable. Have to press the seat 1/2 memory buttons with about 50 pounds of force to get them to activate. Many other nit picks. Our worst vehicle by far, and weve owned more than a half dozen SUVs over time!

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  Fast & Basic - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By NJMike - June 4 - 10:36 am

  Ive had the vehicle for a year and a half, it was a demo. Good everyday driver with usable power @ all speeds. A decent handling car. Im 62" & it fits me well w/ good head & leg room. Interior feels like "Rubbermaid" was the designer. I know of other people who have the 3.5SE model and they are happy with them. I am too, but when the sticker price is getting close to 30k, I become real critical. Bose stereo is fine, but over-rated. No direct-in for MP3 player. This is a "bang-for- the-buck" car (I didnt pay anywhere near sticker as a demo) and as such it succeeds. Its just not going to overwelm you with fit / finish, style & sophistication, vault-like solidity

• 

  Decent car with bad build quality - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By umichioe - June 3 - 4:24 am

  I owned this car from 2003 (new) to 2012 (traded) It is comfortable and have good performance. But build quality is bad!!!! 40K: CVT failed. Replace underwarranty. 80K: Power seat failure. Replaced under extended warranty 120K: Transfer case failed. $3200 145K: CVT failed: $4300 150K: Aircon failed. Didnt fix. 150K: Catalytic converter failed. Didnt fix. Traded at 150K

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  It leaves a lot to be desired - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By resale sux - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I have more fun in my SPEC-V, but that has to stay on the road. It is kinda fun to take off-road, but to do anything impressive it needs a lift and more power. I would suggest not buying this vehicle unless you dont plan to drive it often or you make over 75,000. Youll need to make that much to afford the gas. Other than that I think its a decent vehicle. Not great, but decent.

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  My disappointments - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By oldmrt - May 31 - 8:01 pm

  Problems with leaking head gaskets, leaking transfer case (twice repaired), defective engine mounts and seat positioning number setting that never holds seem to be common with Murano 2009 owners and we are no exception. At 70,000 miles the car is showing all the signs of a Lemon. Up until now we were strong supporters of the Nissan line, but when the manufacturer does not stand behind a chronic problem I think its time to look at other manufacturers for better warranties and better quality

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  nissan deteoriates on quality - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By chasaschba - May 30 - 2:00 am

  the dealerships are less than knowledgable or informed.... radio/cd changer failed twice brakes are bad news and very soft... dealership and manufacturer are unwilling to address issues exterior build is poor...decals peel off plastic falls off and warps...almost like a Renault....HEY ! maybe it is in disguise transmission could use updating Not the old Nissan and it shows...thrown together.

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  Poor Quality - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Zane - May 28 - 4:03 pm

  We have had our Versa for 2 oil changes and if Nissan had the same program as GM we would give it back. We have had Nissan since there name was Datsun, and this is absolutely the worst Nissan we have had for quality. The basic problem is that most everything that has broken cannot be fixed; as most of them are interment. Two examples; one the serpentine belt squeals – not all the time - not every day; two the CVT belt has a low level gone (low frequency noise), you can sometimes hear when stopped and the radio is off. Both of these problem will only get worse, I just hope they “break” while the car is still under warranty.

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  Ask Thai meat....no potatoes - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By Sharon Brown - May 20 - 11:41 pm

  Its great for that quick heading to the market, short trips to the country as long as as the roads are dry clear of snow and rain build up. The steering is great at that point, however, when the conditions get wet our icy, no matter how much asked is reduced there is still slippage.

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  Nice Car Poor Mileage - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Mike Mikesell - May 18 - 5:16 am

  I have 13,000 miles on this car. The average MPG is 29.71 for all miles driven. The average for level freeway with cruise control and observing the posted limit is 27.22 MPG. The only reason I get 29.71 MPG is because I drive some hills on my normal commute and I coast whenever possible. I also coast to stops in neutral to maximize fuel economy. My other car a 2000 Saturn SW2 which has a 1.9L DOHC engine gets 34 MPG average since it was new 314000 miles ago. The Versa has been to the dealer 3 times; twice for minor issues and today for a CV boot replacement (clamp missing from original boot). The cruise control has an annoying habit of speeding up and slowing down when going down hill.