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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  Underwhelming vehicle - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By MT - December 13 - 5:44 pm

  This vehicle is underwhelming and gets terrible mpg

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  BEWARE OF THE PAINT JOB (REDLINE) - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Desiree27 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for one year.I was willing to deal with the minor issues of a first year car seeing that Nissan North America was supportive in fixing the issues. That has come to a screaching HALT. The paint is coming off in what I see as flakes leaving behind white spots over the entire car.This car has 9900 miles is garaged and pampered but now looks terrible.Nissan North America is stating that it is rock damage and will not rectify the issue.I drive on well paved roads and am not being pelted by rocks as they suggest.Major disappointment as I am facing thousands to have a one year old car repainted.

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  Buyer beware - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By DW - December 12 - 1:21 am

  I like many took the vehicle out for a short test drive and I liked how it drove. At the time of this review (Note:I bought my vehicle on 5/18/2017 and today is 8/26/2017). The vehicle front drivers seat ( Cloth Material power) is now putting pressure on the back of my legs causing quite of bit of discomfort ( that is putting it nicely). I have tried adjusting the seat several times and every different position it will allow me to. I have had no success in releaving my discomfort. It was suggested that I place a pillow behind me to move me forward in the seat. Yes that took the prepasure point off that part of my leg and now placed unto another part. Now I have taken drastic measure, I have purchased a memory foam car pillow and placed under my butt/legs in order to lift my leg away from the front of the driver seat, that is where it seems the culprit of my problem. At the end of the seat it has a slight up swing and that is whats causing the seat to dig into the back of my legs causing me pan. I have contacted Nissan and I also went back to where I purchased it. The service dept. looked me straight in my face and said didnt you take it for a test ride before you bought. I replied yes then they said did you feel any problem on your test drive I replayed no. Their answer to me was that is how the seat is made and there isnt a thing they can do for me. The nicely spoken female from Nisan consumer reports in Tenn. stated to me that she is not a technician and has to go on what the Mechanics at the dealership recommends. She also stated that they take all consumers reports and pass them onto the appropriate team so they can possibly improve on the vehicle. What baffles my imagination is that no one from the dealership did any research. Like take my vehicle out for a test ride to see maybe I had a defective seat or to even go look at another cars seat to compare the two. It was an immediate thAt how the seat is made and there is nothing we can do. Basically I should have caught the problem at the test drive now I am S.O.L. So now after my little rant I would have to say No the front drivers seat is not confortable

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  Why I wont buy another car from Japan - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Ihatemycar - December 11 - 12:16 am

  I got my car a year ago let me list the problems. I have had to replace the brakes that was at 20 thousand miles I put the NISMO pads on at a cost of almost 800 dollars! mind you I dont drive it hard I mean that! The factory wouldnt warranty it because its "wear" and use! I bought new rims for it hear a growling noise bring it in they say its normal had a tire blow out on me and I had to pay for the rim and tire not to mention there was a recall because of some problem with alignment yet I voided that by putting after market rims on it! The heater just went out havent found out if thats covered by warranty or not yet and the head lamps fog up not due to moisture some BS. thats all I can fit

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  I wouldnt do it again - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Michelle 2 - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Quest new. In less than 1 week after I had it, it was back into the shop for repairs. I have had numerous other problems as well. I bought my Quest, due to the fact that I had heard nothing but good. I have been very dissappointed. I loved the looks, the feel is O.K., my children love the entertainment package, but everytime I turn around, its back in for something.

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  Always buy the extended warrantee!! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By m0mzilla - December 6 - 2:30 am

  Im heartbroken at the collapse of this car after owning it for just over a year! I LOVED it, but out of the blue, with no warnings or dash lights, Im told that my transmission has failed with only 68k miles on the car! The important info is: Nissan does not repair transmissions - they only replace them at a more than $5k cost! Also, no transmission shops can work on them so there are no options. I cant believe this car broke down so quickly and buyer beware - Nissan repairs are insanely expensive!! I wish someone had told me this. I would have bought the extended warrantee.

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  Pretty too look at but.... - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By minnesotaboy - November 29 - 9:40 am

  I just bought this car, 2007 Nissan Altima, SE, 3.5, manual with all the bells and whistles. It is very fun to drive, looks sporty, and has a lot of nice amenities. However just 2 months after purchasing it, Ive already been to the shop over 10 times! Its just little things like the TPMS sensors, shifter cable, door seal leaking, wipers mal-adjusted, rotor squeaking(and not due to brakes), and the list goes on. I am very concerned about how this will affect my pocket book when warranty runs out. My advice, spend the same money and get a very nice Honda or Toyota..wish me luck as im about to hit the end of the 3yr, 36,000 warranty.

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  Just Okay - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By RKW - November 22 - 10:10 am

  SUV is pretty much what you see is what you get. It is a truck with an SUV body. Wasnt long until I noticed a roaring noise when slowing down. It actually causes the entire vehicle to vibrate.There is also a whining noise between 45 and 50 mph.Sometimes the shifting is very loose and makes a clanking noise. I plan to address these problems on my next scheduled visit. The gas mileage is a little better than advertised. The ride is so so. The center armrest is too far back.

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  LEMon - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By pissedoff9 - November 13 - 9:56 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 06...it was an 05. It has cost me thousands of dollars since then with a number of problems. Fuel sending unit, 02 sencors , Starter, Then ...the first time it needs to be smogged because I;m in Ca. it is 1,970.00. Oh ya ...I had already replaced the radiator because it was leaking radiator fluid into the transmission. I did that myself for around 300.00. Now that I have had it smogged and can drive it to have the transmission checked...I find out the transmission needs to be rebuilt. $2,400 minimum. This thing has cost me almost 6,000 so far and barely has 100,000 miles on it. The dealer and Nissan USA both gave me the bird on every issue. Nissan sux

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  Lemon - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Not a happy camper - November 6 - 7:23 am

  This car started out ok but just out of warranty a computer module failed and cost about $700 Can. After that we have put thousands of $$ to keep it on the road. Its in the shop now. Another computer item for $1000 incl labor. It was towed into the shop to get this fixed, and this is the second time it had to be towed. Last item it was the alternator $700. The vehicle now has 190,000 km which is quite a bit but did not expect to have get rid of it this soon. I have never had a vehicle as unreliable as this one. I would have to be crazy to ever consider another Nissan product.