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:

• 

  Happy driver - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By essdee - March 19 - 6:19 am

  We bought the Versa in 2009 in the cash for clunkers program in exchange for an Previa (which had served us very well for 18 years and 225,000 miles) and have done about 30,000 varied miles in the Nissan. It has been trouble free, pretty economical, easy to park in little spaces, a good load carrier and enjoyable to drive. Interior space is generous and the seats are very comfortable but the stowage space around the driver is a bit limited and there is not really anywhere to rest your elbows. Overall build quality is high but the plastic around the heater controls has started to rot. I also find the blue "cold engine" warning light unnecessary and at night easy to confuse with high beam.

• 

  Fun SUV - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Lglgrl06 - March 19 - 4:33 am

  I purchased the 03 Murano in 2005. I really was unsure about the look of it. But, what made it a sure thing was when my husband 64" was comfortable in it. We drive it everywhere.

• 

  The car wed like to love ! - 2013 Nissan Rogue
  By ricbrk - March 19 - 3:38 am

  We purchased the Rouge new. It was a attractive, solid car, nice to drive. But, first, the paint chips and scratches to easy. Navigation is dangerously inaccurate. We use our Garmin. After dealer changed oil at 3,500 miles, we noticed the engine getting loud on any load being put on it, passing, climbing grade etc.. Drowns out radio. New, mpg was 25.4 consistently. Now 23 and falling. We feel it is because of engine loudness issue. Interior is wonderful. Radio a little disappointing for a Bose. It now has 5,000 miles, and a dealer claims engine noise is normal ? If this car would have remained as we drove it off the lot, wed love it. Unfortunately, its in a downhill spiral.

• 

  I love this SUV - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Dan - March 19 - 12:36 am

  The 2000 Pathfinder LE is a fantastic SUV! I would tell anyone to get one. No SUV has really great fuel economy, but the Pathfinder really isnt bad at all. We bought it new in 2000 and have put close to 84,000 miles on it with NO PROBLEMS! All we have done is change breaks, tires, oil... standard stuff. Living in PA we have to deal with snow a lot and this SUV is amazing with the 4WD, it WILL make it through just about anything you can throw at it! The SUV also has a wider wheel base and a lower profile than most other SUVs which keeps it from tipping over. If you can find a used 2000 Pathfinder LE then BUY IT! This car will not let you down.

• 

  Disappointed - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By CJ - March 18 - 11:33 pm

  Since purchasing this vehicle in August, I have had it at the dealership 3 times for the same problem. Which I am told the vibration and shaking I feel when taking off and at low speeds is normal. I was told that the shaking and vibration is coming from the engine. What a total disappointment.

• 

  Best vehicle Ive ever had - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Gary - March 18 - 8:20 pm

  When the recession hit, I could no longer make monthly car payments so I saved up some money and bought my used 97 pathfinder with cash. I researched and found this is one of the best SUVs for reliability. I replaced all belts, hoses, water pump,timing belt and bought 4 new tires. I recently drove this on a 3000 mile trip and it did wonderful. I love this truck despite that it does get thirsty. This vehicle will run for another 100,000 easily. Love it.

• 

  My forever car - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By BevMaxima - March 18 - 5:46 pm

  Shes had an alternator, a starter, CV joints, & McPherson Struts replaced... lots cheaper than making car payments for 10 years. She still merges effortlessly onto interstates, paint job looks great, just love this car! Im only at 146,000 miles, plan on driving my maroon beauty another 10 years. And 26 around town, 34 on cruise control at 64 mph on vacation this summer. Cant beat a Maxima.

• 

  Im lovin it - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By rsbible - March 18 - 9:06 am

  In my opinion the Nissan Frontier is the sharpest midsize truck on the market right now. The Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon are right there but the Nissan gets them with it’s aggressive stance and rugged good looks. I’ve only had the truck a couple of weeks but so far I love it! I went to the dealership with the intentions of buying the 5-speed automatic but the 6-speed manual was just too much fun to drive. this trucks comfort and convenience are great. I haven’t really been “off road” yet but it was a real treat to drive in the big snow storm we had this week! I kept looking for errands to run so I could get out in the snow and slush! I think my wife was on to me. In short…this is a SOLID midsize truck.

• 

  2011 Juke - 4 months later - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By uwe2 - March 18 - 4:27 am

  Now that I drove my Juke for almost 4 months, I wanted to share an updated review. I still like the car a lot - a lot of bang for the buck, no doubt about it (see favorite features). However, I dont know what Nissan was smoking when they averaged the car at 25-27 MPG - driving a mix of highway and city, and not pushing it, I get 20.4 MPG. Had a rattling noise from under the hood, which turned out to be a loose screw - dealer fixed it for free. I still belief the car is lacking some 30 or so horses. Hope aftermarket parts will be available sometime soon to address that (and maybe improve gas mileage in the process).

• 

  The Platinum is not worth the $$$ - 2010 Nissan Armada
  By Art C. - March 18 - 12:23 am

  I am coming from a 2006 Armada, so my expectations were high with the 2010 model. I am disappointed. The main reason I went with Platinum was due to the folding mirror option for my single garage. This needs to be on Titanium models. The instrument cluster was redesigned it the speedometer is off to the right and hard to read. The Sound/Nav system is poorly designed (read below). After 3000 miles, I am hearing sounds out of the chassis when I go over speed bumps -- I put 50K miles on my 06 and never heard that sound before. The transmission also seems to make a more significant "clunk" when it goes in or out of gear. For a $50K+ vehicle, I should get more for my $. 13 mi/gal stinks