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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  Car wont start - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By solarwinds - November 5 - 10:13 pm

  We leased this vehicle... Got a great deal.. But the car now wont start and has to be towed to dealer hopefully they fix it... The dealer we got the car from is very good and the service guys are very nice and helpful... NPN in nj rt 22. The car at high speed with weight in the back passengers is ver unstable. The car has a nice design and interior but over all its a cheap built... In the snow its undrivable and as good as rear wheel drive. MPG is ok but not great. Seats are very comfortable and the dash is nice. The push button start has recently failed and the car will have to be towed...

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  Why did I buy this? - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Jessica - November 3 - 7:23 pm

  Plain and simple, I do not like this car. Stereo speakers rattle like crazy. Random banging noises coming from all around the car when driving. Tires are crap and the car drifts and sways on the highway. Wind noise on highway is awful, I feel like Im flying a plane. There is a big dent on my trunk for no reason that I know of, and thats probably because the trunk is made of complete tin and any little thing will dent it. CVT jerks and sounds funny especially its the tiniest bit cold out. Interior side piece of the dash is warped and coming off. Dealer doesnt fix issues like theyre supposed to. Sometimes I wish it would get totaled out so I could get a different car. Save yourself. RUN!

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  Think Twice Before You Buy - 2009 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ken S - October 31 - 9:00 pm

  I respectfully disagree with the "professional" reviews compliment of the ergonomics. Try sitting in the drivers chair for an extended period and youll disagree. Although there are several adjustments, neither my wife nor I can find a comfortable position for the long haul. Dont think of Nissan as a "Japanese car company". If you do, youll likely expect great reliability and be disappointed. Most of the time weve owned our Pathfinder, the "Check Engine" light has been on. The dealer has tried several times to fix it. That is just one of many problems we have had.

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  Unhappy with my Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By seaflower - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle with the notion that Nissan was a great name. I had had an Xterra & it was my favorate vehicle to date. My Quest has just fallen apart at the seams. From failing to start, doors not working, problems with the airbag, the front end shaking & the back end sounds like its ready to give way. The CD player works when it wants to as well as the LCD screen. Wish I hadnt have bought it now.

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  As predicted the brakes failed after 14k - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Terry - October 30 - 3:20 pm

  I read reviews before i bought the car and many comments said the brakes would go after only 15. I mentioned it to the dealer and they discounted it to poor driving habits. sure enough, at 14,800kms the front brakes and rotors had to be replaced. they would not cover the replacement as i didnt get my regular maintenance done there. the service absoulutely sucks. you wonder why i didnt get my maintenance there. my first and only maintenance was to get an oil change and winter studded tires removed. when they placed the tires in the car they scratched my car and refused to admit it. When purchasing a Sentra insist in writing that they would cover a brake job if they fail after <20k.

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  2008 Nissan 350Z Interior - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By nissedoff - October 30 - 1:58 pm

  The interior paint/coating on all plastic panels (door, dash, etc) scratches off with normal use to reveal a white plastic. Nissan knows about this and chooses to do nothing about the problem. I own five different cars all older then the 350 and more mileage, I dont see this in any of those cars. This is unsightly and started soon after warranty expired, 36 months. I have to have all these panels removed and painted by body shop. Also, my power windows motors quit, also known problem Nissan chooses to not solve. I do not recommend Nissan.

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  Expected more from a Nissan - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By jp - October 23 - 9:40 pm

  Disappointed in Nissan quality. I have own Nissans and Hondas in the past and all were better than this model. I bought the vehicle used with 44k mi. I have had nothing but trouble since. Luckily, I purchased the extended warranty to 100k offsetting some cost. Had problems with A/C elec. module, tie-rods, ball- joints...had to replace a freaking motor mount! Had to replace oxygen sensors, water-pump, recently, the valve cover gasket and intake manifold. Interior seats rattle, door trim & sunroof trim comes off. I kept this car well maintained and it just continued to show its poor craftsmanship. I have 120k mi. now and plan in dumping it. Do yourself a favor and buy a Honda.

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  Noisy cabin - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Dave - October 17 - 11:39 pm

  I purchased 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum. The noise that comes from behind the dashboard is ridiculous. And there is no obvious cause. There are times I think it may be the dash itself, and other times it sounds like a cable wrapping around something. I can have the radio turned up to 10 notches on the screen, and the noise can overpower the sound from the speakers. My first "foreign" car purchase. What a disappointment.

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  Just OK... - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By bdoleusa - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Good buy for what you get. When they mean "no frills," this is exactly what you get. No luxury appointments, but I wasnt going for that. Needed something to haul two large dogs, but didnt cost a bunch. I wont buy another one of these, as the ride feels as if you are on a buckboard wagon - could have had a better suspension installed.

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  Buyer beware - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Phillygator - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Do not buy this car! Our mis-adventure began at the dealership (Sutherlin Nissan in Ft. Myers). To many negative memories to put into 700 words. Just beware when purchasing from Sutherlin. The car had 2 tires shred within the first 2 months of ownership. To top it off, the tires put on the Altima are not only cheap, but very rare, and impossible to find. The car had rust within 3 months, the steering fluid had a leak. The service department was as rude and slow as the sales department. Bad experience all around.