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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  Disappointed, frustrated and at the end of my rope - 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
  By cdnbuyer1 - June 16 - 3:18 am

  Bought in 2012. Since then nothing but issues from the first week. At the outset there were several times it would not start. Window motors and regulators have been replaced; ignition starter; computer; electrical harness; passenger seat more than once; convertible top - nothing but problems - it is in again right now needing another new tray - best part is how long it will take to get the parts - months. I am a Canadian who bought a US vehicle at Cdn dealer and that means my only recourse is to sue. I would love to hear from anyone else with any issues with this type of vehicle.

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  ZZZZZZippy! - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By mssdoc - June 16 - 12:26 am

  I had a flashy red 2005 350Z (til hubby wrecked it on a slick road ). Just bought a 2008 350 (same trim level). Life is good again; its my daily commute vehicle, and I laughed outloud for the sheer joy of driving again on the way home (on the mountain roads) last night. I like the new steering wheel radio controls; the blind spot doesnt seem as bad as the 2005 version. Course that could be because Im so happy to be zipping around the turns again. WooHoo!

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  The Best Pickup for the money - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Schweg - June 15 - 9:10 pm

  I absolutely love this truck. I cannot believe how amazing the MPG ~18 city/hwy mix. Before, I had an R/T Durango that only got 10.5mpg. This truck is really fast, I barely have to use the gas pedal. The backup sensors are a really nice feature. It has really nice seats, very supportive and comfortable. They are even more comfortable than my Mercedes SUV. The towing mirrors make it easier to see vehicles in blind spots. Really Easy and fun to drive for a big vehicle. I have already put 800 miles on the odometer in less than a week.

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  Best Car EVER - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Kevin - June 15 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my 2001 GLE from a dealer in Minnesota. I bought the car with 113,000 miles for $10,600. This car IS AMAZING!! This car drives like a porsche, and best of all, its affordable. You get a lot of bang for your buck with the 222-horse engine, and the features of this car. The engine is very quiet, in fact you can hear the tires over the engine. The bose 200 watt system is also a great bonus to this car. If you are in the market for a used sedan, the maxima is the only choice. Its powerful, classy, comfortable, and safe. I give this car 2 thumbs WAY UP!!

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  Significant Problems after 80k - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Daniel - June 15 - 3:26 pm

  I purchased this car from a well known car dealership with a solid reputation. It was great for 6 months. Then the check engine light came on; due to a faulty oxygen sensor. Then 3 additional sensors failed within 3 months. This car is only 5 years old with only 80k miles on it. It is not driven hard and is supplied with 91 octane fuel. I will never own a Nissan again, and I will be trading for a reliable Honda soon!!

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  best suv dollar for dollar!!!!!! - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By BARNEY FREEDMAN - June 15 - 1:56 pm

  i have been the car business for 22 years an drove mercedes, bmw, landrovers etc...i have never driven a $36,000 vechicle that handles so well and offers packages that highline suvs offer, rear camera when you put car in reverse a smart key that lets you open the door without a key. all in all the dollar value for a mid size suv!!!!

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  Could not ask for more - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By MLB - June 15 - 11:26 am

  I have driven my Xterra for 35,000 miles and have not had a single problem as of yet. I would recomend this suv to anyone, it is fun to drive, rugged, and very reliable so far. The only detractor is the fact that an suv drinks so much gas. Although, the gaas is fine for a typical suv.

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  Engine Dies After 68,000 miles / 2 years & 3 months - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By deadjuke2011 - June 15 - 7:58 am

  Great driving vehicle. Enjoyed our time together. That is until it died without any warning. Guess what - it was the timing chain. No warning and no sign of any problem. It broke and left me in the middle of the highway. I was able to coast to the next exit and wait for a tow to the nearest Nissan dealer. I had no idea what the problem was. I thought it was electrical. They confirmed it was not electrical and it was the engine. But it would take 5 hours to take it apart to diagnose the problem. That means I would have to pay them $500 to tell me the engine was dead and needed to be replaced. The timing chain appears to be very common. Nissan was not helpful. It was just outside the warranty.

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  The worst return on a car ever! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By jnsg - June 15 - 3:11 am

  5 years! Thats it. And now its worthless. Like everyone else I have fallen victim to radiator/ transmission problems on my 2006 Nissan Xterra. I went to my dealer to get an oil change. While I was there I described a symptom of at certain speeds my 2006 Xterra felt like it was driving over a rumble strip and at other times there was a loss of acceleration. They informed me this is a known issue that Nissan has extended the warranty BUT my Xterra was right outside of the warranty period at 112K miles. They then proceeded to quote me around $6000 for the repair. When I informed them that the truck was practically brand new, they shrugged and said sorry

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  No Show Stopper - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By words - June 14 - 11:04 am

  I just bought the NIssan Sentra 2013, and nobody really noticed! And the more I drive it I know why. Though upgraded from the previous model, Nissan went back to archives and pulled out the "GOTO" Nissan Altima file and just made it smaller. I bought the SL model with the wood grain, LED Lights, and dual temperature. The salesmen said it was loaded, but not really I should have looked up what "Loaded" is defined as according to Nissan. Bad: The model has LED lighting but it fails to light up the buttons on the door making it difficult to see the buttons at night, unless you open door.It doesnt seamessly go from low to high speed without a loud noise in the engine, unlike our NIssan Altima. There is a delay. Some highway noise too, and the windshield if you are short looks bifocal like and the lines on the road seem to wave, much like a bifocal glass.Moving the seat too is manual pumping. (Cheap!) I mean really they couldnt give you auto seats with the SL model. Thus far in comparison to the SUV i was driving I am saving a bit on gas, but though I am paying less, I seem to filling up almost the same. Hmmm! The sound system is good, but they trick you by putting in faux speakers in the doors, but no sound. What? I am grateful to God for allowing us to purchase this car, but some prayers should be left unanswered. Im already thinking of trading it in at 550 miles.