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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  2 years and going - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Gus - March 17 - 12:06 pm

  Got a 6-speed manual in Oct 07. Loved driving it fast. Mileage is great compared to my wifes minivan (I avg. 24-27). Since its a 4-cylinder, not very powerful but it gets the job done. Also, got the manual because the wife doesnt know how to use it; hence, I drive it all the time.

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  Death Trap - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Guardian - March 17 - 11:20 am

  Its been back to the dealer too many times, have owned the car around a month - what a headache! Twice today the passenger airbag light turned off with the passenger seated with seatbelt on. Whatever car youre getting, check out the NHTSA website for safety complaints. Its a bumpy ride, I guess the price you pay for more performance. The CVT is good, as is the low end torque. Attention to detail and quality are a couple of levels below Camry & Honda.

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  Kts review - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Katie - March 17 - 4:23 am

  WE have a pearl white nissan. its wonderful. one of our best buys, no doubt!

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  Great performance and efficiency - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan - March 17 - 4:16 am

  The car has taken a heavy beating, yet remains very reliable. Well-maintained, 31 mpg on the highway is possible, and given its performance (dont read this like its a sports car), this is excellent. For my money, I cant find any significant drawback to the driving experience.

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  great until 150,000miles - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By stacybelanger - March 17 - 1:00 am

  Not one problem until 153,000 miles. Drove great, then December 2008 my starter went out. After that was fixed Ive had to replace the battery cables, and alternator. Right now it wont start and I cant figure out what it is. The cupholders stink, and forget about fitting 3 car seats in the back! The trunk rattled when I had 12" subs in there, but it sounded great when I fixed that.

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  Am I the only one?? - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By dprentiss - March 17 - 12:06 am

  Ive had my sentra 6 years. I am the second owner of this "piggy bank". It seems everytime I think Ive fixed a problem, another shows up. Paint on bumpers has peeled off, a/c and power options dont work!!!! gets mighty hot in FL!! So far replaced distributor 3 months after purchase, replaced engine last year, alternator 3 times, cv joints and the headliner just last month, along with all the "normal wear and tear" - brakes, tires etc. This car has 165,000 miles.. so I guess I cant complain too much.. Good first car... but would expect more from a Nissan in the future.. I could have bought 2 cars for the amount of money Ive put into this one!!!!

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  love the murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By rfields - March 16 - 4:53 pm

  Purchased the sl awd model in july of 04. Wife has driven it now 21000 miles. It has averaged over an entire week 22-24 mpg that is city and highway driving combined. they told us when we purchased it that it wouldnt start getting its best mileage until about 10,000 miles and they were right. Love the ride and comfort, great stereo, and for an SUV I find it to be rather fun to drive and quite peppy. The CVT doesnt seem to sap that much power.

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  Our Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Armada 04 Larry - March 16 - 10:00 am

  We have driven over 14,000 miles and I really like the driveing and handle, loads of power and it has a nice feel to the transmition shift points. Now for the problems: the major problem that we have had with our truck is the BRAKES!!!! The rotors were turned and new pads at 6,000 miles and new rotors and pads at 13,000 miles. We are not speed demonds and hard braking habits either. Nissan needs to address this NOW!! Way to much SUV way to little rotor. I am waiting for the 05 to come out, If the correct the brake rotors I going to get a Titan also. Nissan has serviced the problems and claims

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  Stereo and DVD System - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ThienLongCongTu - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2004 Quest in Sept 03. Put on a DVD system by the dealership. Eversince the first date, the stereo system has not been working right. Lot of statics on the radio both AM and FM . First the dealership blamed it on the DVD system because it is an after market system. No one had told me it will not work with the factory stereo system . Went back and forth 4, 5times the prblem is still there ...now the dealership said they dont know what to do and referred to Nissan . Nissan now said they have had similar problem with other Quests and it is trying to figure out how to fix it ... My second letter to Nissan about 1 month ago went unanswerred

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  Titan Review - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By strang - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the ride, roomy and comfortable. Step on gas and this vehicle really wants to move. Handles like a smaller SUV. Plenty of room for family. Grate towing vehicle.