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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  Its the alternator folks. - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Beth - February 20 - 4:11 pm

  I bought mine in October used at a Nissan dealer with 11,000 miles. I test drove it and it seemed fine. Looking under the hood the battery had a lot acid deposits and the history report indicated that the battery terminals had been replaced. The dealership said it was a faulty battery and replaced it. After driving the car a month I noticed the rumbling at slow speeds. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced the alternator at no charge to me. Rumbling sound gone and car was performing so much better. Fast forward to June of the next year I start using the AC and I started having a few intermittent incidents where the AC compressor does not come on. I was still learning the car and thought maybe I didnt have the controls set properly. In August it quit altogether. I took it back to the dealer and they replaced the AC compressor, again no charge. At this point the car is out of warranty and the Certified Used Car Warranty does not cover AC components. The original faulty alternator had destroyed the internal workings of the compressor and it failed at 15,800 miles and it had caused the battery issue too. Now with a new alternator and new ac compressor the car is as it should be and I love it. It has the most comfortable front seats with fantastic lumbar support. It handles well, get great gas mileage, is roomy, easy to get in and out of, including the back seat as the roof doesnt slope so much as other models in this range. It has many safety features found only in high end cars. The CVT gives the car a smooth quiet ride. The original factory installed alternator was under powered which caused the battery and AC compressor issues. Hopefully it was replaced in time to not damage the transmission. Nissan knows and the dealerships know its the alternator and a good dealer will replace it and the components it damaged without charge for their customers. My dealer told me that Nissan paid for the replaced parts and labor.

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  Best SUV - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By The Beast - February 20 - 4:06 pm

  Im not an SUV person. Ive always been a 2dr sports car man until I drove the 2006 Armada. Its the BOOM! It will blow away the average SUV and many other 2006 models without making the exhaust dual. (Duals are a waste of money and are very noisy. Be cool and pick up your babe in a nice and quiet Armada. If you need noise, go get a bike and clip on a few cards.

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  Transmission failure - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By Walt - February 20 - 6:03 am

  After 2 years 46,000 miles my nissan altima 2014 transmission failed. Dealer will replace the transmission but still feel uncomfortable with the transmission.

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  Good Value! - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By pagoss - February 20 - 12:10 am

  Bought it new. We now have 11,500 miles. We traded in a 2010 Altima, for the security of AWD. My wife then decided she would rather have the comfort of the Altima, so we just bought a 2012 Altima. I inherited the Rogue, LUCKY me!!! My only negative is the noise of the CVT in the Rogue. No noise with the CVT in the Altima. It is also a bit cramped driving for a 63" 300# guy. Everything works fine, but I am starting to hear a few rattles as mentioned in earlier comments. I will keep my ears open!!! I would get a sun roof if I bought another.

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  Dont buy this year - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By angrycustomer - February 20 - 12:03 am

  This is an awesome vehicle BUT there is a major problem with the radiator some torque valve. I had a vibration in my vehicle ~ 40 -50 mph took it to my mechanic. and guess what ~$1700 later, a KNOWN defect with the radiator. Causes antifreeze to enter the transmission fluid and transmission fluid to enter the radiator. I was lucky, it didnt trash my transmission which by the way costs ~$7,000 to fix. As sharp looking as this vehicle is its not worth the chance. Which is to bad, I loved it up to this point had an issue with the gas tank too, but I sucked it up and ate the ~800 to get that fixed. BUYER BEWARE!

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  Luv it! - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Mark - February 19 - 3:40 pm

  Very fun and quick. The CVT trans is great - like a rocket blasting off - no hard shifting - nice and smooth. No bouncing, rattles or anything wrong for me.

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  I Love my 2004 Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Donna Harper - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I love almost everything about this vehicle. It is so different from other mini-vans. It is stylish,sleek, elegant,and modern, not your typical ugh van. It is beautiful and fun. The interior is roomy and well....only one word to describe it..COOL! It is fun to drive, handles extremely well, and has many great safety features. The only thing I would change about this van is give it more cargo room by splitting the back seat. I might also add a split bench seat in the center row. I know it has wonderful safety features, but I would be more comfortable with my grandson in the center of the center seats rather than against the door or in the very back.

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  Baby Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By L.M. - February 19 - 10:00 am

  It could be better on gas mileage and pickup as far as speed.

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  GREAT SUV! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By laura9 - February 19 - 10:00 am

  2004 Murano SE is comfortable and great looking inside and out. Cargo area is very generous and easy to access. Rear seat design is elegant and easy to adjust for comfort and cargo access. Entrance and driver comfort & controls are extensive and well planned. Premium Bose System sounds great. Light color cloth interior is cooler in the summer and very comfortable. Dashboard design is easy & intuitive to learn & use, steering wheel controls convenient.

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  A Few Good Qualities - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By qwnbk - February 19 - 10:00 am

  the side panel on the interior of the drivers side door has almost fallen off.If you close the door it sounds like the whole door is going to fall off.Also, in hot weather, the CD player skips and I get an Error message almost everytime.The cup holders are 3ft deep!I have 3 dings in my doors that I can imagine came from someone leaning on my car since it is made like a tin can.The trunk door is cheap and the hinges take up a 1/3 of your trunk. I do enjoy the power of the V6 but I have never driven a V6 before so I have nothing to compare it too.I should have test drove more cars