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:

• 

  Not a bad SUV - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JFLJ - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is solid all-around with no surprises good or bad. The engine is strong with good passing power and the handling is very good for an SUV. The battery and the wind deflector did need to be changed. No other problems so far.

• 

  transmission problem, - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By djohnny999 - January 28 - 4:37 pm

  when I first purchase , I had couple screw lose on drive side, check engine light come on, computer technology still not stability. axe have noise when you back up....

• 

  Movin Up in the World - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Josh - January 28 - 2:23 pm

  Moving from a 1991 Nissan Sentra to this beauty is like winning the lottery: you knew it would be good, but youre still in shock about it. My 91 Sentra made it 160,000 miles without engine problems, a strong factor in my decision to buy Nissan again. The car performs exceptionally well for the price and the CVT works adeptly for someone whose main driving habits are mostly city commuting. The power is not overwhelming, but it is there at a moments notice when you need it.

• 

  Excellent - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By butch hughes - January 28 - 5:33 am

  This car is the best all around car a person would want. Looks are superior and the engine has a lot of get up and go. Make sure you get the trailer hitch installed on it. It is dealer installed and cost is around $750 and takes about 8 hours for them to install it but well worth it. Also get the mud guards.

• 

  WORST CAR OF THE YEAR NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S 2016 - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Kashif - January 28 - 2:39 am

  I purchased Nissan Altima 2016 on May 21, 2016. I have only driven 800 miles on it. Air condition stop working, Inside the Trunk underneath the carpet there is a sealant melting causing rubber Mat also melting, All door windows rubber leaving black color on window frame, Trunk rubber Torn day 1 when drove off, Car start running heavy gas mileage has gone up after Air condition is not working. Car seat is sinking at one side. I have been offered Loaner Nissan Santra. It has been 14 business day dealer has not called me back with updates. The last time I called Service department for status was 8 days ago and I was told nothing wrong with AC and we will be involving BODY shop for Trunk and for window we will put OIL in rubber. I am paying almost $400 for New car yet I am not enjoying and driving cheap alternative more than 15 days. Nissan has assigned Case # but not responded as promised. Stay away from Nissan Altima or buy extended warranty over extended warranty. I wish I was not influenced in my decision making. I paid $23,000 for this junk car. I wish I had purchased Toyota Camry. I am taking legal action against Nissan and dealer see how it goes. I will update.

• 

  Excellent Vehicle - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jane - January 27 - 10:23 pm

  I purchased my vehicle used and its been more than reliable. I had a terrible front end accident with it and it saved my life and that of my passenger. My pathfinder did what it was built to do and that was to protect the people in it. The repair shop mechanics were in awe that it could take such a beating and still be a sound enough vehicle that they recommend the rebuild rather than to right it off. I have owned new vehicles every two years for the last 40 years and this is the most reliable constant vehicle that I have ever owned. I find it comfortable a little rough sometimes, but it is built on a truck frame so what do you expect. I would recommend this vehicle its quality built.

• 

  Best Car ever owned - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By sean s - January 27 - 5:56 pm

  Best car ever owned. I know I dont have to worry about my son and wife in this car.

• 

  Run away - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By kenneth20 - January 27 - 4:36 pm

  So far after 2 months and 1600miles... Cracked valve cover dumped oil all over our driveway. On a mountain road shifting into low did nothing, the mechanic at the dealership verified the problem, but Nissans official response is that this is the way the CVT works and thats it. On that problem and response alone we are trying to get our money back. Now we are experiencing the "Jutter" problem everyone else has been complaining about.

• 

  My Second Pathfinder - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Mike - January 27 - 11:43 am

  Had a 1997 Pathfinder and bought another in 2005. The redesign was a hit and I went for every option except the navigation and DVD for which I had no use. The Bose system is, hands-down, the best system I have ever had in a car (and that includes a $1,000 aftermarket system I had in 1970s Mustang). No problems at all and Im past 65K miles on this. Still on the first set of tires which have been very reliable. I will replace before next winter (and I only rotated them twice so far.) Getting 18 mpg and I drive it hard - but no off-roading. The rear hatch rust around the license plate is a REAL problem. Nissan conveniently "lost" my first claim at 50K mi and will be resubmitting it!

• 

  Overall a Good SUV - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Rainman - January 27 - 10:00 am

  A lot of the traction problems are from sub-par tires. Changed the tires to Yokohama Geolanders and most of the traction problems went away. Rear cargo space may be a little small and the rear seats are a little difficult to put down, but overall a great value.