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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  Great Value - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Paul Wilmarth - May 24 - 10:00 am

  We bought ours and have really enjoyed it. It has great acceleration and can pass other cars on the highway easily when we need to. It gets around 24 mpg in the city and about 28 mpg on the highway. I did my research and I think Nissan has a better product than the comparable Toyota. Not to mention that you have to buy Toyotas part-by-part. Very irritating and costly "package" deals.

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  powerful engine and smooth and quick shifting - 2016 Nissan Quest
  By Ivonne Vazquez - May 24 - 3:13 am

  I am very happy with my purchase! I am not a minivan person but I cant find a good excuse to get a different vehicle, very good acceleration, good gas mileage for its size and practicality. Sometimes I forget that I am driving a minivan and drive like in a sporty vehicle because it handles very well.

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  A wonderful friend - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Wendy - May 23 - 8:16 pm

  I bought this car in 2001 because (1) the old Sentra died and (2)the test drive of Honda Accord and Toyota Camry at that time were not too good. This car has been so reliable, comfort, and it moves as expected. When stop at up- hill, it does not slid down even tiny bit. When speed up, it picks up right within half second. I have more children now and need a van to carry them but I cant find another good car to replace this dear one!

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  Couldnt be more pleased - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By xterrajess - May 23 - 2:46 pm

  This is the best vehicle. So incredibly reliable. Some fun facts: - In 7 years of ownership, Ive never taken it to the shop for anything other than the regular oil change and tire rotation. - Front 2 seats are very comfortable. I get many comments on this. - Steering wheel offers some resistance when turning but is OK. - Stylish - Decent gas mileage for the year and type of vehicle - Lots of trunk space, tons when the back seats are down. I can fit a corner piece of furniture in the back standing upright in this thing. - Dont have to slam the doors for them to close - Nice blinker sound - Replacements parts (from minor fender benders & whatnot) are pretty cheap

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  DO NOT BUY A NISSAN - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By brownjen8 - May 23 - 11:22 am

  I have a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. I too have the same problem with radiator & transmission. I called Nissan and they will not help me because I have 103,000 miles on it. The lady I talked to was Jacenta (sp) and she told me that I did have 103,000 miles on it so they couldnt help me and hung up on me. Obviously Nissan feels that a transmission should only last 80,000 miles and if their faulty mechanics cause antifreeze to ruin your transmission they should not be held responsible. I wonder if any CEO of Nissan would take a gallon of antifreeze and dump into their transmission? That is exactly what Nissan is doing and it usually happens around the 100,000 mark from what I hear.

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  Ok First Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Kimberly - May 23 - 10:35 am

  This was my first car and I fell In love with it right away. I bought it from a buy here pay here 100k on the dot an had it for two yrs. The first yr of owning it It was a great car no problems. I loved the speed of the car an the way it drives real smooth. When I first bought it the sunroof quit working properly but it was an after market an was put in from a previous owner I never bothered with it after I just didnt touch it. But my second year of owning the car I started having problems first thing was my head lights went out an only way to change them is getting either a detailer or Nissan to get inside an change it which would of cost some money but luckily my father in law changed it an all I had to pay for was the bulb itself. Next the alternator went out and I decided to put a used one in by my grandfather. I had to replace the battery TWICE and my gpa couldnt figure out why it constantly needed a new battery. Then two sensors went out and cost me a little.. Then shortly after that my radiator had busted while I was driving and after 100$ of replacing that we figured out the head gasket blew. I was officially over the car an sold it 2015. Overall maintenance wise I wont even lie with this being my first car I didnt keep up with oil changes to good not sure if that had anything to play with anything that came from but this car is a much older car look for something at least 06 or 07 an up with less than 100000 miles. I wont talk bad about Nissan and I still love Altimas but maintaince is a big key to a great car the way you treat your car is how great it will be I believe. But I have read similarities on here so wouldnt recommend the year of this car

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  Its a Z...what else is there to know? - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By shabba - May 23 - 8:36 am

  Since 2003, Ive wanted one of these so it was my time to do it this month. Im quite happy I did. I own several Zs (and have owned many) so I can say this car has the Z soul. I didnt need to compare it to other cars (TT, Boxster, S2k) though I have driven them and they all have their strengths. The Z remains a pure and exciting sports car that has a soul and a personality. A fine purchase that I am proud of.

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  Nissan Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By paul farek - May 23 - 4:00 am

  A very good first effort for nissan in the full size truck segment. Great drivetrain with excellent highway power and responsiveness. A homerun if gas mileage was better.

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  Great car thus far - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By lexmaxima - May 22 - 10:57 pm

  I bought my used 2002 SE in 11/10. It had 60K on it when I bought it. It now has 70K on it and has been a great car thus far. It has 255 HP which is really good for a 4 door sedan. The auto dimming rearview mirror is nice as well as the homelink system. I am 6 3 and the legroom as well as headroom is quite adequate. The basckseat however is a bit cramped for taller passengers. The body side molding and the rear spoiler are nice touches I believe. The xenon headlamps that were upgraded for this model year are great, as well as the fog lights. This car really has great acceleration. the gas mileage is fair in the high teens around town. great car thus far.

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  Love it!! - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Bella - May 22 - 9:30 pm

  Well, its been a week and I love this car! Went from a Grand Cherokee and the difference is huge... butter soft leather, seat comfort, quiet ride, happy back seat passengers, great bose radio, and hands-free calls are just a few highlights. A tad tough to back up due to some blind spots but Im sure Ill adjust. Could not be happier with my car!