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:

• 

  Never buy a Nissan - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Roy Johns - January 25 - 4:05 am

  I purchased a Nissan because I believed it was a reliable product. The CVT transmission went out on my car. I am going back to Toyota or Honda! I warn other consumers dont buy this product!

• 

  Declared a Lemon - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Edward - January 24 - 5:33 am

  With this vehicle, I REALLY feel that I am being ripped off since the reliability has dipped WAY below zero in my book, and there were times that I felt Hyundais were better cars until I read worse reviews. Either way, I couldve had my Buick repaired for the price of 1-3 loan payments instead of paying $320/month for an unreliable piece of junk that I had to tow twice, stall on the freeway and lose a job over the refusal to provide loaner cars. I had to bring in the car 8 times within the last year for ECU, brakes and transmission issues, and I sincerely thank the BBB for helping me win a Lemon Law settlement!

• 

  bad experience - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Mary Tim - January 3 - 11:43 am

  nissan versa is the worst car that i never had, junk, transmission broke after 60.000 miles, of course the warranty is over after 60, so i have to pay for a new one because this stupid car need a special transmission...... it cost me almost 3.000 thousand dollars, after one year the radiator broke and the starter doesnt work, i am sick and tired of this car, i hate it

• 

  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!

• 

  altima is crap - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By nissan_is_crap - December 23 - 11:55 am

  3-month new, two cracks at different location. No paint damage nor dent, body just got cracks from nowhere! cheap cheap plastic!

• 

  great car - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By pelican pete - December 13 - 4:10 am

  I bought this car from a private party in 1998. It has a lot of power, looks attractive, is comfortable to drive. Fuel economy is good. It was a good choice then and it continues to have a timeless appearance to it. Everyone is always surprised to learn that it is a 1995 vehicle.

• 

  A lot of noise vibration. - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By alain - October 31 - 10:26 am

  First week my Roque had a noise then finally they had to change the belt tension er and the that noise is gone, but in compaction with other cars that I had, even older, this rogue is the most noise one I had. It have a lot of vibration coming from the engine. I am not happy with this purchase.

• 

  NEVER!!!..Ever, Ever, Ever buy!!! - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Jeff - October 22 - 4:38 pm

  I concurr with everyone who has had problem with this Van: interior quality is Cheap- mirrors/visors easily break, AC zips sues, Driver & Passenger Windows stop working but the very rear vent Windows work..changed out motor, controller, fuses (inside & out) and still dont work; rear end went out, power steering pump went out, rattling, siding on interior seats started coming off. THIS VAN is HORRIBLE!!!! Do not buy, New or Used !!!!!!!

• 

  Horrible Owner Experience - 2017 Nissan Armada
  By Len Burton - October 1 - 12:27 pm

  I purchased my 2017 Nissan Armada in September and it has been in the shop for multiple issues. I bought my Platinum Armada thinking i wouldnt have any issues for a long time to come. Well that was farther from the truth..... The issues started the day I took it home and its currently in the repair shop for 12 days now for a total of 3 trips now. Im wondering if I made the wrong decision in buying a model in its first year on the market... because it has been in the shop for 23 out of the 40 days since the day I brought it home. I have been a loyal customer to the Nissan Brand for many years. I never thought that I would be writing a review about how unhappy I am with my Nissan Armada. Its just painful when you make a purchase of this magnitude and spend your hard earned money for a product that turns out to be a NIGHTMARE. Im not sure how this story will end but its already taken a toll on me. If I had to do it all over again I would have waited another year before buying the Nissan Armada. I have to say its looks nice with all the bells and whistles. When you cant drive your new vehicle without issues all of that goes out the window. Well I will have to wait to see how this all plays out and do a follow up to this review after I get my vehicle back. So stay tuned for part 2 of my saga!!!

• 

  Car has transmission problems - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By Eileen Ochsner - August 25 - 11:56 am