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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  Hate this van! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By weymouth, ma - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. The sunroof broke, the radio has now broken 5 times, the driver-side window gets stuck, the gas tank door broke, the vents in the ceiling in the back literally fell out and the car is a piece of junk. The drivers seat is so uncomfortable my husband cant even drive the car and he is only 511" and 185 pounds. The electric sliding door works 50% of the time as does the electric back door. I would not recommend this car to my worst enemy. Something breaks daily. Then I was told that in order to take advantage of the warranty that I would have to take it to the dealer I purchased it at even though there is a closer dealer down the street. UGH!

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  Poorly built/poorly designed - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By RB - September 24 - 11:53 am

  This car is mediocre at best. Very poor quality, the interior molding and panels started coming off withing a few months, despite being well-taken cared of. Interior also awkwardly designed and made of cheap material, seats very uncomfortable, dash is dimly lit, useless cup holders, This vehicle is surprisingly low quality for a Nissan.

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  Nissan defective radiator fries tranny - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By NY4WLR - September 11 - 6:36 am

  Loved the truck for the 1st 3 years. Even after eating the defective fuel sender repair $500. But now I have fallen victim to the growing radiator leaking into the transmission defect. Nissan is refusing to acknowledge this growing problem. If you have a Nissan 4 wheel drive circa 2005-07 go to an independent mechanic and have transmission fluid checked for contamination. If you catch it in time you can head off the $7000 transmission/radiator replacement.

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  Dont Buy Nissan... PLEASE STAY AWAY....Buy Toyota! - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ndallasgent - August 29 - 8:55 pm

  Manufacturer radiator & Transmission DefectÂ…. And they are very aware of the issue but will not make it apart of their recall. TheyÂ’ve extended the warranty coverage to 80K miles. But the issue doesnÂ’t start until 80,100 Miles! I own a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. I was driving 40 MPH & attempting to accelerate but the vehicle wouldnÂ’t respond. I took the vehicle in to the dealership for a diagnostic check($100 later) only to tell me that code P0717 is the issue. Which is a cross contamination of fluids from the radiator in to the transmission and both would need replacing. But since my vehicle was over the 80K (uninformed warranty), I would have to pay $6,600! I Wont Stop Until They Do Right!!!

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  Not confident with Nissan reliability - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By mred72 - August 27 - 1:11 am

  Had a review I previously submitted and Edmunds never posted. My SL now has close to 18,000 miles on it. Within the first 500 miles the Fuel sending Unit failed. I had to wait 2 months to get the part and I had to get Nissan Consumer Affairs involved. Good style inside and out, but poorly executed. Quality control is all over the place with Nissan; no consistency with different loaners I was given to fix other issues. CVT transmission among the worst built CVTs in the industry.

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  Not a happy camper - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By carrotshibby - August 24 - 10:00 am

  i know how to take care of a vehicle. no matter what i did though this car gave me trouble. the engine went out without warning at 94000 miles. ive spent 2000 dollars besides that in the last 6 months in upkeep alone. it is very slow, small and uncomfortable on long trips.

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  One Problem After Another - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Scott - August 18 - 12:03 am

  Avoid the 2000 Nissan Sentra at all cost. I have already put a new transmission in and just spent around $1,000 to get an inspection sticker. I found out that the car was assembled in Mexico. I will never buy another Nissan.

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  Total piece of CRAP! - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By applegate.5@osu.edu - August 11 - 8:03 am

  Had the car a little of a year. Been in for multiple service issue......transmission on at least 3 occasions, front was totally redone (wheel cylinders, speed sensors, rotors....$2200 worth), then rear wheel cylinders, corrosion builds up on front brakes on a regular basis. Just picked the car up on Friday, today is Tuesday back in the shop again. Nissan used to be a really good car, obviously not anymore. DO NOT BUY!

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  hate this car - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By eileen15 - July 31 - 7:12 pm

  I have had this car for 14 month and have had the transmission replaced,new catalytic converter,air filter,fuel pump,wheel bearings,engine control module and as of Nov. 21,2012 the rear muffler and gasket has broke off and due to the fact that it will cost 400.00 to repair i am unable to have the repairs done at this point. been in touch with dealer,bbb,nissian of north america, no one is able to help with with this.

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  Not a Real Full Size Truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By tt - July 26 - 4:23 am

  The driver seat (capt. chair) does not allow full size people to set comfortable like Ford and Chevy. Slip feature causes the vehicle to lose power, which leads to getting stuck in mud or snow much easier than the competition. After about 5000 miles rattles and squeaks appear. The heated seats are more like warmer seats. Front-end sits too low (does not set level) Major vibration at 80 mph on cement roads. Difficult to change oil. After only 200 miles I have a major warranty list. After washing it the first time I would say there are too many emblems, it needs less external detail. It does have great power and sound system.