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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  My first real car - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By Nicholaspel@hotmail.com - May 1 - 4:07 pm

  Ive owned alot of clunkers. Most cars i have driven were 200,000 miles plus. Well i always like to rent a car on vacation and this was the one for grabs. On the trip the ride was smooth, no gears meant a smooth ride on the interstate. Its always adjusting. Usually in a 4 cylinder i would be at 3000 rpm on the interstate at 70. The sentra likes to hover around 1800-2000 the noise is great. I can turn down my radio amd hear myself think. Torque city driving is not sp great. The added a sport mode features which basically makes the travel distance of the pedal shorter. Faster reaction etc. its a great commuter car. Interior is easy to keep clean, i have black cloth so it can be shampood easier. Give it that new car smell every 9 months. I guess you could say i liked the car so much, i found the exact same model and color and bought it. People dont like the acceleration . Its similar to a 4 wheeler, hit the throttle and go. I drove rx7s in the past, very similar . Interstate or highway, good acceleration. I just drove it from louisiana to delaware last week which is why i am writing this review. I bought this car preowned and certified by nissan. It has been the best investment. Gas mileage is fantastic. I dont know why peoples transmissions are burning up. If you hit the gas hard it will stay in the higher rpms. If you have a heavy foot i reccomend another. This is purely a small car, low hp. Cvt will never allow it to be anything more. Strictly for cummuting and gas mileage without being in a tin can

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  2008 FRONTIER LE CREW CAB 4X4 - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By nsanewheels - May 1 - 3:36 pm

  This is my 2nd Nissan Frontier since their redesign in 2005 just turned my 3 yr lease and now I have the Red Pearl 2008 as loaded as it can come. Its a great midsize truck good for work or play. I used it for both work family and a little beach riding. I regularly max the 4.0 out highway driving daily in PA. It will max out right about 115, electronically limited at 4500 RPM top gear which is acceptable given that youre still going way too fast anyway.

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  I Love My Car! - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By dianna - May 1 - 1:16 pm

  I love my car! My boyfriend bought it for me. I love driving it. I have no complaints about my car at all. It handles very well. I have had all the oil changes and the 15,000 mile inspection. and the tires rotated. It corners very well! No problems at all. If you take care of your car. Its going to last a long time. I hand wash my car.I treat it like a baby!! I love it!

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  nissan sentra se turbo R spec v - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By nakia - May 1 - 9:46 am

  Great car very reliable gas mileage depends on how you drive. it hugs all turns a little bumpy but hey, great power and torque feels like a v8 but an in line 4 wow.

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  The Z is an Adrenaline Rush - 2007 Nissan 350Z
  By MACCRAZE - April 29 - 10:36 pm

  Just purchased a new 350Z Conv. and its awesome. The interior design is very simple, which I love about Nissan, not too little, not too much. When I heard this car crank up for the 1st time, I thought I was going to start salavating. All in all, I love that "WOOM" sound it makes. The engine just barks at you and Im a 30 yr old female. The salesman said I could get a turbo put on it. I told him, he was insane. Thats asking for trouble. Best sports car for the money!

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  Older Nissan - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Mike D - April 29 - 5:30 pm

  When I got this car it had about 150000 miles on it. With this many miles it runs as new a the never cars do. I enjoy driving this car. If I new how good it is now I would have gotten on a few years ago.

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  z4me - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By z4me - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I have never had a car with the ability to attract so many people. I get questions from people all the time. They even flag me down when Im driving down the road. The car is a true sports car. It doesnt have earth shattering speed however it really does hawl butt. I love it and it is truly a real trip to drive. Well done Nissan!

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  MY SECOND MAXIMA - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Kolyan2k - April 29 - 10:00 am

  My second maxima. Went from 95, auto GXE to 98 SE, 5-speed, loaded w/GLE features. Still powerful even for cars that are poroduced in 2003. Extreamly reliable, still looks good outside as well as inside, equipped w/ nice features like: BOSE sound system, heated seats, ABS, auto climate control....

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  Outstanding car! - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By David4291 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Gorgeous car! Wickedly powerful, especially above 3000 rpm. Quiet, solid, well-handling; sized right for me.

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  2003 Murano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Nelli - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money--not all of us want 3 rows of seats, we are trying to get the mini-van out of lives! I look the look over the square boxes.