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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  2nd maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By 2004 SE MAX - September 15 - 12:36 pm

  The 2004 max is equipped with a very strong motor and at time is a very fun car to drive however the interior lack the comforter or style. The exterior was the most disappointing the overall workmenship that was in the past a high quality of nissan somehow change not for the good.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By mkedra - September 8 - 4:53 pm

  Everything was great til 50k miles. Im at 62k now and within the past year I had the transmission replaced twice (common jerking problem between 1st and 2nd gear), the AC works whenever it feels like it, window defroster takes forever to defrost, Cd changer keeps skipping, the telescopic steering wheel is wobbling. Recently my ABS started to come on everytime I press the brakes, and the ABS pump stays on constantly. From the reviews Ive read it looks like another $2000 job to fix... oh, and did I mention I need new motormounts? Yeah, I was told that happens when they replace your transmission... All these issues and no recalls, only service bulletins...

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  FAULTY TRANSMISSION - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By lsanti - September 7 - 10:30 am

  Purchase in 2006, with 32,000+ miles. Loved the ride!! Once I reached 60,000 miles I started having problems with my transmission. Come to find out this is a problem with the Maxima for years and its going to cost me $3500.00+ to repair. In addition, my CD player stopped working a year ago and the locks dont always open with the remote.

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  Should have purchased something else. - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Mina Watkins - September 7 - 8:38 am

  I love the sleek look of my new 2016 Maxima SL but wish I would have purchased something else. I acceleration is poor. The cost not worth the car. I bought it in super black but having issues with the dealer because it The detail shop waxed it and now I have a lot of swirls and scratches in the paint.

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  CAVIAT EMPTOR(let the buyer beware) - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By atglass2 - September 6 - 11:23 pm

  I have owned my 2013 Altima 2.5 SV for just 1 month and already I have had to take the car back to the dealer 3 times for the same issue. The issue being engine Lugging noise and vibration on light throttle acceleration from a stop at around 1500 RPM. The lugging is caused by the extremely low RPMs of engine. I have filed a complaint with Nissan Customer Care (1 800 647 7261 and was aqssigned a Regional Specialist to handle my case. According to the specialist, Nissan is trying a serpentine belt and tensioner swap. Last week, the belt swap did not alleviate my problem. The issue could be corrected with a CVT reprogram offered to those owners that are sensitive to the noise and vibration.

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  Endless $700 bills - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By TachisBAD - August 30 - 2:00 am

  The Pathfinder is great except for the 3 oxygen sensors and the $700 instrument cluster that Nissan says isnt a defect but hasnt worked right from the first day.

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  Murano Highs and Lows - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Big Blue - August 27 - 2:50 am

  Great styling and general performance. Gas mileage is much less than similar cars of this size that I have owned. The car is solid, but any packages that I place in the car rattle like crazy. This is the only car where I have experienced this phenomenon. It detracts immensely from the overall driving experience. Is there that much difference in the ride of an SL versus my SE?

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  Fun drive, back and forth to the dealer! - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By JMozz - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely worth the small amount of money to go to enthusiast. Traction control alone is worth 1500. Cant beat this car for the money in a fun to drive sports car. I loved every minute of it, just a shame I had so many problems. If they fix the issues for 2004, dont pass up the opportunity to enjoy a true sports car for a great price!

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  Just OK - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By LRS1217 - August 14 - 11:23 am

  I purchased this car used in 2004. Dont get me wrong, I do like this car but I have been a bit disappointed as of late. I have always taken care of my cars, but I feel like in the past few years Im always taking this thing in for maintenance. I know this car is getting up there in years (I also have 75000 miles on it) but I feel like Im always taking time off from work to get this and that repaired. Mind you, I do routine maintenance and treat my car well. I am disappointed that I cant trust this car as much as I would like to. I highly doubt I will be buying another Nissan.

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  So Many Problems - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By stormchaser32 - July 31 - 12:38 pm

  When we first purchased the car, we had no issues until the 15K mark and car would not start. Brake sensor issue. Another 15K, stopped to get gas in Alabama, car would not start. Brake sensor again. Trip to Florida and a loud whining noise, Transmission replaced 60K. After getting the maintenance, they stated that it will be fine. Whining brakes are annoying and the leather on the console is torn...not covered by warranty. Also, center console is very loose. Now the radio will not power on. Drive about 15 miles and then press the push start w/o foot on brake, radio comes back on. Problems and will not own another Nissan