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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  Fun to Drive - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By K Turner - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy driving this car. Pure and simple. It is just so much fun to drive. I have also never received so may compliments from strangers on how great the car looks. That was definitely unexpected. It responds quickly and smoothly to whatever I ask it to do. The sunglass holder started sticking twice. The entire unit was replaced by dealer after the second time. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone.

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  Anyone else with WIND problems?? - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Snowflake - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Great car, really euphoric to drive. Would improve the interior quality, as others have stated. Little dissapointed in the wind noise, but its still fun to drive. Havent read this complaint anywhere, but the car handles EXTREMELY poorly in windy conditions, almost dangerously difficult to handle. also, sometimes the transmission seems to stick.

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  Excellent family/sports car. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Ybelog - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is beautiful inside and out. Drives and handles like a dream. I cant wait to get inside this car every time I drive to and from work. The 3.5 V6 is smooth as silk and provides lots and lots of power. Inside the car is very spacious and comfortable, with plenty of storage compartments and a huge trunk. The gauges are perfectly placed and the standard stereo has plenty of base.

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  Best car I have owned - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Maui Bob - March 4 - 12:43 pm

  Mine is a 2003 and was the second sold at the dealer. Other than some minor issues, it has been perfect. Much roomier that it appears. Drive great and the gas milage is tons better than my old SUV (Old Bravada)

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  135000 and going strong - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By mike inmentor - March 4 - 12:33 am

  after 135,000 my car runs good and looks good. I also have replaced coils and 02 sensor. Rust on rear wheel wells. The top of one of my keys broke too. I wonder if Nissan reads these comments since so many of these problems are common and have everything to do with quality.

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  Very concerned - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By www@ggg.cop - March 3 - 10:00 am

  We test drove several new cars before settling for the maxima. It really sold us as soon as we drove it out of the lot for a test drive, very powerful engine and felt heavy on the road with its nice ride. Now for the ugly part, after 28,000 mile the check engine light came on and had to replace one of the oxygen sensors, about the same time the car started vibrating whenbraking, had to resurface the rotors, at 47000 had to replace the oxygen sensors again. this time it cost me over $300 to get it fixed. Ive been reading some of the reviews on here and it makes me feel like I should off loading this car before it really starts falling apart. I thought tha

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  Ill keep her till she quits. - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By FrankB - March 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought my truck used with 500 miles with everything but leather. Its my main vehicle and my family car. Ive got 60k miles on it and havent had any problems. Ive taken it off the road a couple times and seems to do a decent job at it for a two wheel drive. Seems to go where you want it to in the slippery stuff. Tires like to spin on wet pavement by the way or maybe Ive just got a heavier foot. Havent spent much time in the back seats myself but had some heavier inlaws back there for a twelve hour trip with out to many complaints. Ive also had it about as full as you can get it cargo wise and dosent seem to effect the ride, acceleration or handling much.Go with the l. bed version.

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  Ill never buy another nissan - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By jweller - March 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car instead of a civic and its the biggest mistake of my life. Its been towed back to the dealer 4 times because it simply refuses to start. the official response is that Ive flooded the engine and needs a $115 fuel system service. nissan corporate customer service is worthless. The paint is of very low quality, sprayed very thin, and has orange peeled. It looks worse than my 7 year old honda. Now it needs a $700 airbag module that is not covered by the warranty, at 47k miles! cheap interior is falling apart and showing signs of wear already. There have been 3 or 4 recalls, which I have not been notified of. Ill be selling this car very soon, despite being $2k upside down.

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  DONT DO IT!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Stan H. - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Purchased our 2004 Armada in 10/03. Problems started @ 3K Miles. When braking @ highway & city speeds steering wheel would vibrate. Took Armada back to the dealership & they told us the front rotor were warped. They replaced the rotors and pads. At 6K & 10K miles the same thing happened. They replaced the rotors and pads each time (A total of 3 sets of rotors & 3sets of pads). Because of all the shaking in the truck from the brakes we have had all kinds of other issues (Alignment problem, rattling in all areas, squealing brakes). Currently 14,000 & problems are starting up. Save your money & the headaches DONT BUY THE ARMADA. Nissan nor dealership no help.

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  this car sucks - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Greg Terterian - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Had major problems with both side sliding doors. Too much noise (took the car to the dealer 5 times) and the noise is still there... it just get worst... Door closes itself, while peope are trying to enter to the vehicle. Door stays half open while you are closing and than you have to open manually. Both, front passanger and driver seats are the most unconfortable seats in the world... try to put your head to the headrest...