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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  2005 Nissan Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By ML - December 12 - 11:10 pm

  When we purchased this van, we considered an Odyssey and a Sienna but settled on the Nissan based on the better negotiated price. While overall it is a nice van which meets requirements, the maintenance costs, problems, and fuel economy are not as expected. Plan on replacing tires and rear brakes (under normal city driving) at 30,000 miles and paying $800 for the same service. Tires we found much cheaper elsewhere costing $470 vs. $800 at the dealer. Also the power doors dont always work which the dealer cannot figure out. Using regular gas causes it to ping, so plan on using premium and getting 16 - 18 mpg. Best we could muster was about 23 highway. Third row seat is extremely heavy.

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  Bomb Proof Dependability - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By Ray-ray - December 12 - 10:33 pm

  This car doesnt ask any questions. Turn the key and drive unlimited. Worst fuel economy: 24 MPG Best: 42 MPG Average: 33 MPG. Top speed: 110 Snow driving: like a snowmobile but dont turn while braking. Miles driven in 14 years: 243,300. Black is a hard color to keep up. Had some Alternator troubles. Rebuilt alternators are hit or miss. Fast driving will blow the valve cover gasket. Not worth going over 80. better to sit in than an Altima. Good rear visibility, not like newer cars.

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  Bought Two Rogues In Ten Days! - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Jewopaho - December 12 - 2:56 pm

  After driving my wifes new Rogue, I gladly traded in my 08 Merc Mariner ... $1750 in rebates didnt hurt, but the overall value and performance cinched it. It has the smoothest and quietest ride of any small SUV by far (believe me, we drove em all!), and the comfort level is superior. The "whining" CVT transmission noise is inconsequential, but can be switched to traditional shifting if its an issue. Ours have both the Premium and Leather Packages, and still came in just over $22k. There are a couple of options that wed like to have had, but theyre not available. Still, were thrilled with the vehicle, and highly recommend that you drive it first or last when shopping for a new SUV.

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  Rust streams in the paint after 1-year - not covered under warranty?? - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By kkostelic - December 12 - 9:42 am

  I love most of the car; however just after a year rust started streaming down the trunk lid just under the horizontal chrome piece above the license plate. Obvious this is resulted from either poor assembly, or poor workmanship. One would anticipate that this would be a warranty issue, however trips to the dealership, their body shop (that shared the same opinion as I), plus calling the 1-800-Nissan1, the answer was we don’t cover this. Ive had 18 cars, and buy two vehicles every 3 years..this being my first Nissan. Nevertheless, Ive never had paint issues such as this!! I won’t be buying Nissan again..not because of their vehicles, but their poor warranty .

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  All Good - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Stephen - December 12 - 5:23 am

  I think the Altima is a steal. You cant get leather, sunroof, alloy wheels, and better than 25mpg for 26K from any other car.

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  This has been a great vehicle! - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Suzanne64 - December 12 - 4:33 am

  I have loved this minivan for the past six years and will miss it (my husband is making me sell it to make room for other vehicles). I never wanted a minivan to begin with, but never felt I was driving one with this Quest. It is so luxurious and comfortable inside and looks great on the outside. I have always gotten compliments on it. Has been a very reliable vehicle -- no major problems.

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  Buyer beware - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By DW - December 12 - 1:21 am

  I like many took the vehicle out for a short test drive and I liked how it drove. At the time of this review (Note:I bought my vehicle on 5/18/2017 and today is 8/26/2017). The vehicle front drivers seat ( Cloth Material power) is now putting pressure on the back of my legs causing quite of bit of discomfort ( that is putting it nicely). I have tried adjusting the seat several times and every different position it will allow me to. I have had no success in releaving my discomfort. It was suggested that I place a pillow behind me to move me forward in the seat. Yes that took the prepasure point off that part of my leg and now placed unto another part. Now I have taken drastic measure, I have purchased a memory foam car pillow and placed under my butt/legs in order to lift my leg away from the front of the driver seat, that is where it seems the culprit of my problem. At the end of the seat it has a slight up swing and that is whats causing the seat to dig into the back of my legs causing me pan. I have contacted Nissan and I also went back to where I purchased it. The service dept. looked me straight in my face and said didnt you take it for a test ride before you bought. I replied yes then they said did you feel any problem on your test drive I replayed no. Their answer to me was that is how the seat is made and there isnt a thing they can do for me. The nicely spoken female from Nisan consumer reports in Tenn. stated to me that she is not a technician and has to go on what the Mechanics at the dealership recommends. She also stated that they take all consumers reports and pass them onto the appropriate team so they can possibly improve on the vehicle. What baffles my imagination is that no one from the dealership did any research. Like take my vehicle out for a test ride to see maybe I had a defective seat or to even go look at another cars seat to compare the two. It was an immediate thAt how the seat is made and there is nothing we can do. Basically I should have caught the problem at the test drive now I am S.O.L. So now after my little rant I would have to say No the front drivers seat is not confortable

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  Good car but has its defects and damage upon delivery - 2014 Nissan Maxima
  By drcofwc - December 11 - 5:37 pm

  I have about a 1k on the car and it handles, accelerates, brakes and looks great. Its 2014 sport and the suspension is stiff. The interior is clean but dated and when it was delivered it took me a day to find that the control panel for the navigation damaged with multiple scratches. The car was basically not detailed on delivery and I later noticed it was damaged (see suggested improvement section). Check your Maxima over with a fine tooth comb before you sign the paperwork. They wont help you if you find something wrong later or they will make it difficult for you to the point where its not worth going back. Also the paint has dirt in it in some spots, clear coat is already separating

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  Most reliable car I have ever owned... - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By JMoney - December 11 - 6:16 am

  I bought this car with 60,000 miles on it and I have never done any work to it except replace a left front axel. (1 hour of work). Regular maintenance only. Excellent reliability, great performance (for 200 Horsepower), great looks, good fuel mileage, and awesome quality. I would totally buy another one!

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  endless recalls - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By tropicalcube - December 11 - 12:20 am

  less than a month of buying my Cube I hear of recalls tire sensor nuts (defective in cold weather) rear door handles need replacing according to a recall listed on the internet, rear brake drums defective recall, steering sensor gone bad on some Cubes, warning lights going off for no reason, I am sure the list will grow in the next few months and hopefully there will not be any fatal accidents due to defective parts from Japan. Makes me think the USA is involved in parts. Better yet why didnt Japan test the parts before exporting the Cubes. Are the ones in Japan also getting recalls?