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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  Not a long term car - too bad - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By KLBliss - July 23 - 2:43 am

  Loved my Murano from day 1 but am learning the hard way it wont go long term without some heavy costs. Currently @53,000 miles. Drivers seat rail collapsed just after warranty expired. Nissan USA forced dealership to cover the repair without cost - it clearly wasnt normal wear & tear. Now electrical systems are acting up - even when not it in use the Bose 6 disc CD player shuffles discs when the ignition is turned off. Front windows roll down when the remote is used to unlock the car. Occasionally, a motor under the passenger seat triggers and whines when I turn the ignition off.

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  Impressive Maxima - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By alan_s - July 23 - 12:32 am

  My 2010 Maxima lease was almost up so I turned it in and leased a 2012 Maxima SV with Premium package. I immediately noticed a huge advance in refinement over the 2010, and a dramatic improvement in the performance of the CVT. The drivetrain as a whole is far more responsive and much smoother. The CVT no longer bogs down the tremendously powerful engine. Kudos to Nissan for continuous improvement. The two-tone interior is sumptuous and the materials appear to be of improved quality. Everything has a very substantial quality about it. This feels like a much more expensive car. On the road, the dynamics have been improved, and a feeling of solid build and substance is imparted. I love it!

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  1998 Pathfinder 4x4 - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By buckeyes3108 - July 22 - 4:19 pm

  This is a good truck if its taken care of. Previous owner lied about what he said he did to it, like regularly changing the oil. Took it to get fluids flushed a week after I got it and my mechanic said that was some dirty oil. I bought it with 175k miles on it for $2000 and Ive put $3000 into it. New tires, brakes all around, new front axle, bearings repacked all the way around, rear shocks, alternator, battery and a few other maintenance repairs. Still needs front struts and catalytic converter. Has an oil leak. No rust. Other than that, I really love the truck. Took it 4-wheeling today in the snow. Fun. Giving the truck to my nephew when he turns 16. Hope he gets a lot of use out of it.

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  The automotive equivalent of Britney Spears - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima No More - July 22 - 11:59 am

  Sure the design is fantastic and the selling points are many, however, in my experience, they have failed to deliver. The Engine? Fine, too much power for front wheels, but this is only really evident when you go to pass someone and fight to stay in the lane. The seats? Adequate, I have sat in better for a similar price point, but they are OK. The electronics? So far the radio system has shut off 3 times for no reason, requiring me to pull over and restart the car to reboot the system. The included apps are (is) a poorly functioning google search app which rarely works and will not dump info into the navigation. As for the others (iHeart Radio, TripAdvisor, Pandora, etc) at least they are no longer lying to me that the car is too advanced for the app and they now say that they wont support them. The key fob will unlock the car, even start it from across the parking lot, but when I get in, it fails to recognize the key. This usually requires me getting OUT of the car, digging out the key and pressing the start button with the key. (This is a failure which is taking every once of self restraint not to drive this piece of *^^% into the showroom, especially when it happens in the rain) The rear deck buzzes with loud music, sure the BOSE system is nice, but if it cannot go loud, whats the point? Last but most certainly not least is the garbage front end collision system. This is the thing in the fancy commercial bringing the car to a stop when plywood forms pop up in the road. Well... It does work, even when there is nothing there. Boy, I tell you! If youre ever driving along the highway and you get lulled into a sense of peace and tranquility of the open road, nothing like the car slamming on the brakes (even for 1 second) to wake you up. Boy, howdy, thats scary. I own the extended warranty to 120000 miles, so Im stuck with this car for a bit, Ill just make a pest of myself at the dealer. At least until they lemon law me out of it. Why Britney Spears you ask? Looks good from the outside, but not anything you want to take home.

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  Great car, great value - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By amram80 - July 22 - 11:06 am

  The V-6 is very strong, and the styling really turns heads. The stereo could have a little more output, but the sound quality is good. The intelligent key is very cool, but it does take some getting used too. Many in the Altima forums have complained about the gas mileage, but my first trip yielded 33 mpg with 90% highway driving. I picked the V-6 because much of my driving is in the mountains and it was actually a better deal than the I-4. Ive gotten mixed comments concerning the premium fuel issue, but most who have the V-6 have run regular fuel without problems. In conclusion, I believe this is the best value on the market in a midsize sedan. Period.

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  Altima is a nightmare!!! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Dont buy this car!! - July 22 - 3:43 am

  Dont buy a 2002+ Altima! I bought one and even the Nissan mechanics always tell me how unreliable it is. At just 1 1/2 years old, they replaced the engine! 6 months later my car was overheating and they put in a new radiator. Then it was under warranty, but I still got charged $800 because, when it was stalling and the dealer didnt realize it was the faulty engine (not unusual for these cars) they said I must pay the money to get it "fixed" and it wouldnt stall anymore. I never was refunded the money, even though it was under warranty, it kept stalling even with the $800 worth of "repairs", and the engine was replaced three weeks later.

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  Takes a licking... - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By carkiller - July 21 - 6:16 pm

  I beat on this car like I hated it since leaving the lot, and it keeps on going-zero problems even after I drive it on dirt roads, lag on my maintenance requirements, and really act like it is a rental car. Takes all my hard abuse and not a peep. Very solid and great MPG (you can guess I dont tiddle toe around with it-foot to the floor 90% of the time)

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  ZCar - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By wjanus - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Well-built, well performing car. Original brake pads dust like crazy, needed replacement to Hawk Street Pro. Front wheel toe-in needed adjustment , causing uneven tire wear. Bridgestone Potenza tires still very noisy. Bose stereo amp needed replacement. Only other complaint is no glove compartment. Otherwise, great car and a blast to drive.

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  Love My Pathfinder - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By DJ Arrington - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my pathfinder. I just wish that it got better gas mileage and with the prices of rising gas i would consider trading it in on something more economic but it was my first car and i love it. I would highly recommend this car to someone that was looking for a very reliable SUV that looks good and drives good and has the reputation that nissans have.

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  Save some time and read - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Montana bound - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I tested the F-150 & Tundra. I was going with the Tundra until I read about the Titan. Most room and best ride of all. Ample power, and handles very well. Before you buy the Ford, be sure to drive it up a hill.