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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  Fast, Fun, and Inexpensive - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Paul Huang - November 5 - 2:00 am

  The car has been reliable: small problems include battery replacement under warranty and a front-end squeak that dealers have not been able to fix. The rear suspension lands with a harsh thud when going over speed bumps with both rear wheels. If only 1 wheel goes over the bump its fine. The engine is great!!! The clutch is getting close to replacement after 76000 hard (not auto-journalist level of hard though) miles. I love my car and have problems finding a potential replacement. I have money to buy a more expensive car, but even then I cant find a car that is as fast, fun, and reliable as my $18K Maxima.

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  2001 altima - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By mr. x - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car new in aug. 2001. Selected Nissan because we wanted a mid- size car with a manual transmission. Already have 22,000 miles with no problems. However, in cold weather, noticed that when shifted into neutral, the engine revs to 1500rpm before falling to idle rpm -- contacted the dealer and was told all cars are designed that way with the 5 speed (I dont buy it, though).

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  Roof Rack Whistles - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Abig - November 5 - 2:00 am

  The roof rack whistles at around 30-40 miles per hour and apparently there is no cure for it.

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  My 2003 Altima 2.5S - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Lil Person - November 5 - 2:00 am

  actually this car was purchased 10/31/31 of 2003. It is everything that I wanted in a car. My husband sold a 1986 Nissan truck with 489,000 miles on it and I was quickly sold on the Nissan name and dependability. My first choice was a Honad Accord, but after looking at the price of the Accord and the standard equipment in it I found that I got more bang for the buck. Also one thing that strayed me away from the Accord is the accord is the number one STOLEN vehicle in America, not to mention that nearly everyone has one.

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  Love my Maxi - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By mreck - November 4 - 12:06 pm

  I love my Maxima. Great to drive, eats up the road. Seats are mildly uncomfortable and the wheels tend to need rebalancing oftem. Tires are expensive ($350 each) to replace.

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  I LOVED MY SENTRA - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By vwispos - November 4 - 7:34 am

  I loved my sentra, so fun to drive and it never left me stranded. Ive seen some bad reviews but mine was absolutely flawless. Inexpensive and great on gas. I flipped it 3 times and it still cranked right up. (of course it was totaled though)

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  Understated Performance - 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By ed - November 4 - 5:43 am

  While not a BMW performer, the Altima Hybrid is an understated performer, outclassing the competition by far. I test drove every hybrid to include Lexus and dollar for dollar this car is totally a winner. Fusion has comparable interior space and looks, but the auto doesnt match the pick-up of Altima. Forget Prius and Insight, they are not in this class, ride or pick-up. The Altima rides very smoothly and has the feel of a much larger auto with the economy that tells you why you got into the vehicle in the first place. Just test it and see. There could be a little more room in the trunk, but two or three golf bags can fit easily. A family might want to consider suitcase size.

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  5 years, 60k miles - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By stevewaclo - November 4 - 1:56 am

  Noticed only one other review for a Coupe with some miles on it, so thought Id share my experience. Took delivery in January of 08 and other than a broken limit strap on the driver door, the car has been flawless. Fuel economy on the V6 has been as high as 32 @ 70 (Hwy, measured several times at fill-up and around 20 in town with combined in the low 20s. Although designed for premium, Ive used regular. Performance is excellent with some torque steer on hard launch. One track day, with VDC off, was a hoot. Excellent for long trips and plenty of room for skis, with the back seats down. Plus, it takes someone who knows the car to know an 08 from the current model.

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  Great power, lots of rattels - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By jp - November 3 - 9:46 pm

  Initially, I loved my pathfinder. The v8 was so powerful, the bose sound is amazing and all the gadgets and luxury are great. However, after about 2 weeks, I noticed the rattles and I mean everywhere. When I hit a bump I feel it in the wheel and in the frame. The doors rattle the dash rattles bad! I took it off road and it was like driving a covered wagon. The rattles are so noticeable. I had a 2000 pathfinder with 100k on it and nothing like this. It was solid as a rock. The a patty is a great highway car and great 0-60 speed, which is outstanding. However, i bought an suv to use for off road and mtn sports. It has low clearance with the bumpers and it rattles way too much. It

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  2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Nouky - November 3 - 4:16 pm

  When the car works its great, when it doesnt, its such a hassle. Had problems from the beginning, bought it the first year they came out with the new body style. In winter, back doors wouldnt shut until the car warmed up. Had TONS of recalls! Very inconvenient. Car still has problems starting, something about the gas flooding into something, and I have to sit there with my foot on the gas holding it down until it does start. And supposedly theres no way to fix this problem. Such a headache. The car isnt worth all this trouble.