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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  Bngwtr - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By bongwater78 - February 22 - 4:23 pm

  This is my second nissan altima, a wonderful car at an affordable price, fits all my friends and goes across town and back with the low fuel light on. Nothing like driving a stick...

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  Not very happy with car - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By samantha - February 21 - 10:06 pm

  This car has the turning radius of a semi. It also has a very rough ride.

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  Great Looking car-good in snow - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Jersey Driver - February 21 - 2:36 am

  I currently have about 2k miles on the car. The Car handles excellent on the highway and in the city. It took a little while to get used to the brakes and the acceleration of the CVT. I recently drove in the snow storm of 2009. I had no problem keeping up with the snow plows. Handles great in rain, snow and icy roads.

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  Three Year Review - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By dawg fan - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the 7th Nissan vehicle I have owned, and the second Maxima. I use it extensively on the interstates for business travel, and it has been a very dependable car. I have put nearly 80k miles on it, and it has only required tires (one set at 58k miles), brakes (pads at 59k miles and front rotors and all pads at 78k miles), and a serpantine belt change (along with regular oil changes, and oil and air filter changes). A very quick, agile GLE.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By lordkeystroke - February 19 - 9:36 pm

  I bought this car in 07 with 19k on it. Added a Greddy Spectrum Elite catback and Falken Ziex tires. It is fun, and gets decent mileage, and handles really well. My only complaints are: The rings are weak, and my oil consumption has tripled (73k on it now), and sometimes when downshifting into 2nd, it pops out of gear. Keeping oil in it is simple, however, and I just hold the stick in 2nd to prevent the annoyance.

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  Good Xterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By jmwsandan - February 18 - 9:20 pm

  Overall we are very happy with our 2006 Xterra. Our only complaints are minor. Fuel economy isnt great, but we knew it wouldnt be good going in. We are also less then thrilled with the back seat. Once youre in, its comfortable, but getting in and out is a hassle with the rear wheelhouse in the way.

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  still a great car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By matthew - February 18 - 6:20 pm

  Last report 5-6-08 see Great Highway Car. Still a great car. Holding up decently. Now have 77k miles. My first problem, started to stumble when on highway. Felt like misfire. Checked spark plugs, found #3 did not look good. Replaced all spark plugs and #3 coil pack. Now car is great again. I still get about 27 mph with spirited driving. I run Mobile 1 synthetic oil every 5-6000 miles, does not use a drop of oil. Maintenance easy. A Durango ran me off the road in Dec on snowy road and I ran up a curb. Had to get two new tires but everything else ok. Typical strut clunk but ride not affected so ill wait to replace. Overall has been an enjoyable reliable and comfortable car on long trips.

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  Style with Performance - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By JMM - February 17 - 3:00 pm

  Sits low to the ground, so if hip or leg problems it can be an issue. Overall great car. 2011 was best year for Altimas. Easy access to controls and woderfully supported seating.

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  Disappointing Reliability - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Unhappy ex-owner - February 16 - 8:30 pm

  Very disappointing reliability, just over 60,000/5 yer drive train warranty, required new front wheel bearings, the one month later a new timing chain was needed. Timing chain is supposed to last life of engine. Is a $2,500 service job. Nissan would not cover, decided to trade in. Be very wary if purchasing a used 2004 Quest van if the timing chains have not been replaced yet. Nissan is aware of problem, issues a tech bulletin 1 year ago, but no recall. If buying a newer year, make sure you bring it in for service if engine ever makes a whining sound before warranty is up. I had planned on keeping it more than 5 years and 60,700 miles but could not see spending an additional $2,500 now.

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  myXtraXterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By heidi - February 16 - 3:10 pm

  Excellent ride. Handles like a dream and rides like a car, not a truck. I do believe they could have put more thought into comfortability, but you give up comfort for more extreme usage. It handles the mountain roads I live on with pristine grace and I feel confident it will handle the roads when snow becomes a factor.