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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  This 240HP Altima Rocks! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By ChadPadera - July 26 - 10:00 am

  If youre thinking about purchasing a Altima and cant decide between the 4 cylinder or the 6 cylinder - like I was - dont even think any further - go with the 240HP 6 cylinder. It is so much fun to drive and the 0-60 mph is faster than a GT V8 Mustang! Some people complain about the torque steer dont worry about it! Just hold onto the wheel. I really wanted a fully loaded new Altima. But, the price is right around $30,000 and I couldnt afford it - so I searched the net and found a fully loaded black Altima nearby with 12,000 miles for in the low low $20s.

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  A bargain G35 and better! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By silverbullit - July 26 - 10:00 am

  Almost signed for a G35 after testing everything in or above this price class. The fresh styling sold me as well as the quality build and saving $2000 below Infiniti -they would not discount...Nissan dealer agreed to reasonable non-sticker price and went looking for the exact car I wanted...the 04 Maxima is king!

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  HeLLOOOOO Nissan- Can you hear us? - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Anne Luchetti - July 26 - 9:08 am

  I have same frustration and negative review of CVT as most owners here...I have owned this vehicle from 0 to current 128,000 miles. I had NO indication of a problem with the transmission. Yesterday I got in the car, put the car in gear and it will not move. Like it is in neutral. The engine just raced. Towed to Nissan. Service manager says "its your trannie--it will be $3,952 to install a rebuilt one." Seriously! Dealer said that was the best he could do. How can there be so many problems with this particular CVT Transmission and Nissan not have a better plan to deal with this particular defect. I then had it towed to a transmission shop....since it is NOT covered under warranty anyhow I am going to give them a shot. At least they are offering a 12 month warranty on their job! When you take care of your vehicle It should not fail in this manner.

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  I wouldnt buy another Nissan - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Lomesh - July 26 - 5:36 am

  Ive had this car for just under 3 years and have had all sorts of problems. First there was this weird "air leaking" noise around the front-passenger side. Second, The exhaust bracket started making noise right around 30,000 miles. By this time I had moved to Dallas and a dealership couldnt figure out what was wrong with it at first. I had to take it back to them like 5 times before they could figure out what was wrong with it. They fixed it and the problem came back within 6 months. Also, about this time, the cover under the sun-roof fell. Now, just around 60,000 miles the air condition stopped worked. I would not buy a Nissan again

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  brakes need help - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ike isakson - July 26 - 4:33 am

  like the vehicle, many user friendly features . but the brakes squeak every morning backing out of the garage. they also pull once in awhile sometimes left then right. been in shop 3 times for this,--say that it is abs brakes . auto light timer is set for 45 seconds with no adjustment. the remote in my pockets seems to always lock or sound alarm, cant get another remote.left window when partially down seems loose in track. seems like a few corrections could really improve this vehicle.

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  Hemi-Killer! - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Lonster - July 26 - 1:33 am

  OK, Ive owned a lot of cars. I mean a lot of cars. Ive been driving for 21 years and Ive owned 22 cars. My last vehicle was a 2000 F-150 XLT-4WD, with the 5.4, and it was ok, but this truck is the BOMB! Of the 22 cars, 6 of them have been Nissans, and I swear by Nissans...Reliability, styling, and did I forget PERFORMANCE?!?! I waited until the 3rd model year to get the best full-size truck available, and now that I have the vehicle of my dreams, I think it will be a long time until vehicle number 23...

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  Enjoying the Ride So Far - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By cubuff - July 25 - 7:20 pm

  1st time Nissan buyer, test-drove Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander but liked the Murano best (I like the smaller size, I dont need 3rd row). Love this car so far, fit and finish / styling are top notch. Took it to the mountains to go skiing this past weekend and it did great, but not much snow or ice to challenge AWD on yet. Leather is comfortable, moonroof is fun. Am averaging about 19-20 mpg so far in mostly city driving but only 500+ miles on it so far. Very quiet, smoother ride than I expected from SUV. I was a bit worried about buying a Nissan due to their hit or miss reliability but am hoping it is above average like 07 design. I also hope crash test ratings come thru clean.

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  Transmission Problems - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By David - July 25 - 11:00 am

  27,000 miles and already had a check engine light and whining from the transmission. After being told a new transmission was being ordered. Nissan changed their mind and upgraded a computer program. A few weeks later while on vacation the transmission began to whine again and the car lost power. I am currently in middle of arguing the need for a transmission replacement. When I first bought the car, I requested new brakes due to squealing . It only took three returns and an attitude for Nissan to correct this action. I never owned a Nissan before and most likely never will again. I never had such a hard time getting quality service after such a major purchase

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  Enjoying my new ride - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By phillyeagles - July 25 - 9:09 am

  I had a 2012 Maxima SV Sport fully loaded thought of keeping for another 10 years but after a oil changed dealership had few of 16s in the showroom lot. Well I instantly waited until few months later not long away on getting a newer model. Absolutely blown away with everything on this eighth generation its a beautiful car overall their lots of new updates and more advanced features. The Maxima rides 10x better than my 12 its little bit comfortable with Sport-Quitted leather seats now available with ventilated cooled & heated front seats. Navigation system seems great but looks outdated not much if have center stacked center its so convenient doing anything instead using the display at the screen. This car got better performance more quicker than ever compared to my old Maxima this new car is much powerful with a 300hp V-6 plus newer parts and Continuously Variable Transmission is absolutely perfect along there is (Sport and Normal modes) I usually keep mines in Sport mode as car gets more aggressive on road. Compared with the last model this new model has got more advanced on everything its a much highly technical car in class. I feel much safer driving this car has all of the bells and whistles rides quieter no squeaks or rattles even interior looks more top of the line liking this new Maxima might be weird looking coming down the highway but its a great car overall new exterior looks beautiful love all new latest features ever as a more computer car.

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  Love it!! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Veronica Rivera - July 25 - 6:53 am

  My dad bought me this car for my high school graduation. People usually say that the car looks to big for me but I love it, I owned a sentra before this one but the Altima was the one I always wanted. I travel 4 hrs to college and the gas is very economical, it fits me extremely well. The ride is very comfortable and the car is beautiful inside and out.