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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  Initial Quality Disappointments - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Steve Kuzma - December 25 - 9:00 am

  I went from an 02 Pathfinder to a new 05. I love the styling, the interior improvements, the performance and even the gas mileage (15-20mpg). Im extremely disappointed,however,in initial quality. It first started with a rattle somewhere in the dashboard which I have finally located. Then another spring like rattle under the dash which to date Ive been unable to find. About one week after taking delivery, a loud whine from underneath the hood developed. Sounded like a loose belt or even a bad waterpump. I finally called the dealer today to get the car in for all these nagging problems and it will be about 10 days before they can look at it. Hopefully the bugs can be knocked out!

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  So Far So Good - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By cgt79 - December 25 - 8:35 am

  Picked up a 2.5S Sedan over the weekend, and so far we love it! Other than an issue with getting XM (see below) we have no complaints. The car has very good performance for a 4-cylinder, has plenty of power for passing accelerates to speed well. The CVT transmission is what sold the car to my wife (Primary Driver), smooth and very responsive The interior is very comfortable for all sizes (I am 6 and my wife is 52.). Trunk is very large, and includes and optional emergency kit (Jumper Cables, flashlight, basic tools and a warning triangle) as well as a first aid kit. Ride is smooth with very little road noise. Too early to comment on gas mileage, will update once we have driven more.

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  A different experience - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Interesting drive - December 25 - 2:26 am

  Traded in my 2007 Sentra SE-R Spec V as the ride was getting a bit too harsh for me along with just OK fuel mileage. Liked the style of the car with the twin exhaust outlets and the spoiler certainly makes it a much more appealing car to look at as opposed the Camry in my view. Interesting ride for sure. Have never owned an automatic before (30 years plus of manual transmissions). Pushing the gas pedal gets results but sounds a little strange to begin with and feels like a rubber band is being wound up! Its nippy and no slouch though. A little jerky at constant highway speeds. Feels like Im driving an amusement arcade what with all the lights and gadgets but very pleased with the purchase.

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  Dont buy this piece of junk; stranded - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By disappointed - December 25 - 12:56 am

  Dont buy this piece of junk unless you want to spend 2 trips a month for 2 years. I traded my Quest in for a 2005 Toyota Sieanna and couldnt be happier. Things that went wrong were: - cranks forever - loss of power annually - powered sliding door keeps reversing and still isnt fixed. - vibrations at hwy speeds - gas gauge shows empty after a fill- up twice - passenger air bag shows off even when adult sits there - replaced radio keypad twice - lights falling out of ceiling - door panels coming off - glove compartment warped - shifter replaced - radio antenna weak - headrests are too far from your head so you can get a serious whiplash if you are rear-ended.

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  best vehicle Ive ever had - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By roger - December 24 - 6:23 pm

  Just gas it up an go, it will get you there. A set of tires,1 brake job and 2 headlights is my maintenance repairs in 10 years. It will need to be totaled before I sell this truck.

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  Worth waiting for... - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By FFunque - December 24 - 1:33 pm

  My wife and I researched for several months on our next new car looking at the Toyota Highlander, the Mazda CX-7, Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, the list goes on... Each of the the aforementioned models has options and accessories we liked but none had everything in one vehicle - not until we came across the 2009 Murano. The comfort, quality, fit & finish, ride, accessories and options combined to make this car standout from the rest. We are extremely happy with our purchase and thoroughly enjoy driving this car. We know that this may not be the car for everyone, were just thankful that we waited for this and we couldnt be happier. 2009 Murano, Silver, LE AWD, Nav, Leather, Dual Moonroof, et

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  2005 Murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By titan2ss - December 24 - 12:10 pm

  Nice around town or on road. Handles well. Im 62" and have plenty of leg room. Cargo area is good and the handles to lower rear seat in back work great. Just got with 250 mi and have over 1100 miles. Ac work well in front *but YOU DON"T GET MUCH AIR through the 2 rear vents. Some of the family complained about this. *will update later.

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  Best SUV ever owned for Value - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By FredMurano - December 23 - 9:36 pm

  I have owned Acura, Lexus, Ford, and Infiniti cars and SUVs for the last 15 years and the Murano SL AWD has been the best price value of all of them. The Ford Escape was pitiful in terms of comfort and performance. The Murano was at the other end of the scale -- best value, comfort, performance and value. I wish I had purchased instead of leased it because it is still in perfort condition after 3 years. Had two bumper replacements which were very affordable (only $600 each) compared to fixing other cars. Am considering buying this SUV again.

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  Awesome car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Jen Fortin - December 23 - 9:30 pm

  I recently purchased the 2006 special edition Altima.........I just LOVE it!!! A very smooth ride, very comfortable, and handles extremely well. By far the nicest car I have ever owned.

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  Motor Blew Now Transmission has gone out P.O.S. - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Jeff Moore - December 23 - 8:36 pm

  Motor Blew Now Transmission has gone out! Had this 2009 Nissan less than two months and had to replace the motor and the day after that the transmission has gone out called Nissan and their wonderful extended warranty is out by 4000 miles gave me a case # and said I would HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER to get it diagnosed and pay for it myself and then call them back with repair cost from the DEALER SHIP! Now how do you think that will go? Less than 2 months motor and Trans.!!! Well I will never own or buy anything from Nissan again! I have a real nice looking piece of crap setting in my drive way that I have been out thousands of dollars on and only drove less than two months!! I plan on doing some free advertising for Nissan for as long as I live and will advise anyone and everyone I know to never ever buy any Nissan product! Very unhappy very disappointed in this car!