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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  Nissan Pathfinder has faulty clutches. - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Greg Sippel - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Having owned this Pathfinder for the past 4+ years, weve put 4 clutches into it and the dealership insist that driver-error is to blame. This is the far from the truth. Also Pathfinder has a tendancy to rock over 55 mph. Dealer claims the tire wear is to blame. I have difficult time believing their solution.

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  Worst car experience ever! - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By lodinpdx - July 12 - 7:33 am

  This has been the absolute worst car experience I have ever had. We really wanted an SUV with three rows and decent gas mileage. We were exited when we found the Pathfinder Hybrid with promises of 25 miles to the gallon in the city and 28 on the highway. This all seemed too good to be true so we bought it. By day 2 I was very frustrated as I was getting 14 miles to the gallon! I tried to return the car but was told to keep driving, it would get better or Nissan would have to do something. Now I have driven over 1000 miles and seem to be getting about 17 miles to the gallon a far cry form 25! I have talked to Consumer Affairs as well as the dealership and no one has done anything.

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  Be ware of this vehicle!! - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By soc77mai - July 10 - 2:36 pm

  I am very dissapoinded in my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE. I traded a 97 GMC Jimmy, and I am sorry I did. On the Nissan, the exhaust system gave out, a coil burnt out, all four O2 sensors have been replaced, and the check engine light will not stay off. I even changed the spark plugs, that did not solve the check engine problem. This vehicle has failed inspection two of the three years I have owned it, and I service it by the book! The gas mileage is awfull ( I do 55 to save fuel) and it still costs $70 dollars a week to fill it! Below 35 degrees,the windows will not roll up without me pushing on them, and below 10 forget it. I will never buy a Nissan again.

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  Dont even think to buy this car - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By denis18 - July 1 - 1:29 am

  In 3+ years I owned this car I had nothing but problems with engine. The Idle Control Valve, the Engine Control and the ignitions coils went down several times. The engine stalled many times, which makes this car very unsafe to drive. By the end A/C was down too. Never buy any Nissan again

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  Nonexistent Honeymoon - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By jasfan - June 1 - 3:34 pm

  This vehicle has worn me out in less than 3 months. The gas mileage is awful. The ride is so rough, as a high-mileage driver it is beating my body up. Cant even comprehend this, yet it is happening. The rough ride makes it virtually impossible to listen to a CD, as every bump causes the CD to skip. The driver seat is extremely uncomfortable, and on a bad angle. This is a cool looking vehicle, that is loaded with problems, discomforts, and simply unfriendly applications. I have never disliked a vehicle, and I have owned many. Until now. I really hate driving this car. It has to go.

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  avoid nissan! - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By bob508 - May 29 - 8:56 pm

  im a older woman with a disability, yet they sold me this lemon without disclosing it has a major defect. the cooling line from the transmission into the radiator ruptures and fills the trans with water. did not happen yet, but nissan acted incredulous when asked to remedy the defect. the last straw was when the dealer went to fix a flat on the xterra, and let me drive it for several days with 70 pounds of air in the tire. the dealer and nissan have not only caused a financial hardship for me, now theyve risked life and limb as they continue to ignore my complaint.

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  Big Lemmon - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jerry - May 28 - 4:30 pm

  After less than 6 months of ownership my Titan has developed severe problems and has now been in the shop for over 2 weeks with no firm estimate of when I will get my truck back. The technicians at Nissan have recommended the dealer replace the entire rearend. One of the service reps at Hall Nissan said that they discovered a computer problem as well. I have been in contact with the dealer almost daily now and have spoken with Nissan "Customer Service Dept" a couple of times. The end of next week is the earliest I can expect my truck to be fixed was the last answer I received and they didnt sound sure about that. I am completely dissatisfied with both the Nissan product and service.

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  First and last - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Morris Bonilla - May 19 - 4:29 pm

  Bought a Nissan Altima SV on February 2015 with 200 miles on it. Started having issue with it in July 2015. Accelerating and the car would hesitate to move, so I would start it thinking is the accelerator issue. Went to get an oil change on August 2015 and explain to the Representative what the car was doing and he notified me that it was a holiday and they were short handed so bring it back on your next oil change and they will check on it. So a month later goes by and guess what happens the transmission goes out. my car only has 10100 miles on it. will never buy another Nissan again.

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  fIND A DIFFERENT SUV - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By CHAD - May 10 - 10:00 am

  WATCH THIS TRUCK! PLEASE LOOK ONLINE AT OTHER USERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS SUV OVER A YEAR. BY STATS, MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KEEP THIS SUV OVER TWO YEARS AND SHOW A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AFTER 60K MILES. I HAD TO TAKE MY TRUCK BACK 3 TIMES TO FINALLY GET THE BRAKES TO FEEL NORMAL. I DONT THINK MY ABS IS WORKING ANYMORE AFTER BRAKE FIX TIRES LOCKUP NOW. THE SOUND WHEN I COLD START THE TRUCK, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. WINDOWS RATTLE. BAD GAS MILEAGE TOO - 16 TO 17. MY COWORKER AND I ARE BOTH LOOKING FOR A NEW VEHICAL TO WARRANT SOME PC OF MIND. FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO BUY. PLEASE CHECK MY SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS!!!!

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  My first Nissan and the last one - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By jhon4 - May 3 - 9:52 am

  I bought it brand new with 66 miles on it . at 40k miles the engine was already shaking like a 10 years old car at 80k miles have change the shocks 3 times have to do aligment 3 times per year and it still doesnt feel good driving it . the engine and the transmition are fine but to many troubles with suspention .very disapointed ...