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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  Poor Reliability - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By ncsteve - November 14 - 5:33 pm

  Owned a 93 Nissan Truck , greatest I have ever owned, purchased this 2004 based on my experience with Nissan - boy have I been disappointed, multiple mechanical issues, power steering went, brake master cylinder all by 70,000 miles - now my fuel pump is going - DO NOT PURCHASE

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  LEMon - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By pissedoff9 - November 13 - 9:56 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 06...it was an 05. It has cost me thousands of dollars since then with a number of problems. Fuel sending unit, 02 sencors , Starter, Then ...the first time it needs to be smogged because I;m in Ca. it is 1,970.00. Oh ya ...I had already replaced the radiator because it was leaking radiator fluid into the transmission. I did that myself for around 300.00. Now that I have had it smogged and can drive it to have the transmission checked...I find out the transmission needs to be rebuilt. $2,400 minimum. This thing has cost me almost 6,000 so far and barely has 100,000 miles on it. The dealer and Nissan USA both gave me the bird on every issue. Nissan sux

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  Great First Car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Lonewolf - November 13 - 8:40 pm

  My first car and I love it. Bought it with 113,000 miles and no problems so far. Everything in the car is solid. When shifting, 1st gear has a distinctive lack in power, but after that, it pulls like crazy. Fuel economy isnt as good as I expected, but the performance makes up for it. One thing I wasnt expecting is using premium fuel. I tried regular for a while and I ended up getting worst fuel economy and performance. Now I always use premium.

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  Makes me wish for my 20-YO Ford Escorts - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Mike Falcon - November 13 - 2:11 pm

  Electric, mechanical, and body integrity no better--and far more costly to repair--that the 20-YO Ford Escorts (sedan and wagon) I formerly drove: ELECTRICAL: nobody in service at the dealership where I purchased the car can figure out why I periodically get shrieking warning blasts from somewhere in (?) the center console: they "never heard" of this (although 5 mins of online research show this reaction is not uncommon); brake, fluid, & all else that should be indicated by warning lights (and inspections) revealed nothing wrong. A/C noisy and barely adequate when the outside temp is over 90 degrees (it;s a roomy interior and would benefit, I think, from a bigger compressor. Had to replace the behind-the-dash fan (for both heating and A/C ) at 55K. Heating: the cars "cool" temp setting on the dash really mean just degrees of very hot air unless the A/C is turned on. The car lacks a temp gauge and oil pressure gauge. MECHANICAL: $250 wanted by the dealer to replace rear brake shoes (drum brakes in 2012? I didnt even think to look). Cracked control arm bushings seems reasonable on a car with 60K, but using parts ordered online, I had OEM struts, rear shocks, all of the control arms, bushings, an alignment, and rear brakes replaced and installed for less than than the dealer wanted to replace the cracked bushings and install new rear brake shoes. Mileage is worse than my auto-transmission Ford Escort STATION WAGON: lucky to get 30 mpg in the Versa at 55 MPH (with cruise control) on a 300-mile flattish stretch of open highway (the wagon routinely got 33-34, and the sedan, at that speed, 34-36). City mileage is horrifying: Im a "gentle" driver and am not stuck in stop-and-go traffic, but Nissan in "city" driving gets a remarkably low 17-18 MPG. Interesting: there is a two-mile stretch of road I can coast down, and the Escorts reached 55-60 MPH on that mild decline, but the Versa is apparently not as aerodynamic, as it settles in at about 47-48 MPH. The Versa is tall and noticeably easier to get into and out of, however. BODY INTEGRITY and TRIM: laughable. I bought the car when it was two years old, but did not expect the "rubber" window seals to crack and turn brown nor come away and hang down, nor the trim at the front door to come away, nor the metal panel on the body (which the door slips over) to come off. Had none of these problems with the old Escorts. The Versa is noticeably more peppy than the old Escorts, but its not going to win many races. Factor in the depreciation . . . Ouch! Note that I opt for Mobil 1 synthetic oil, which, I would think, ups MPG a little. Also, I very rarely have a passenger so there is little "extra" weight.

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  First time pickup owner - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By T - November 13 - 1:43 pm

  Had a 05 Escape Limited... the Frontier exceeds all that vehicle in all areas. Muscular look, excellent quality... I love it!

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  Great Re-design! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By reverendbiker - November 13 - 9:30 am

  This is the finest truck I have ever owned (7 previous) and has a level of refinement that it amazing. Acceleration and handling are first-rate, as are the interior design and ergonomics. Fuel economy is good for a truck (17/21 actual). I usually dont like to buy a first-year vehicle, but it looks like Nissan has done their homework on this one.

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  Nice little car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By RCarroll - November 13 - 5:20 am

  I bought this car because I was getting killed at the pump by my Nissan Titan. I love being able to drive by the gas stations instead of stopping to fill up. the car looks great, runs great, and am getting over 28 mpg. I plan to have this car in my stable till it craps out, which by the quality of it; I may crap out first. Its one peppy 4 banger!!

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  I love my new 2.5S Altima coupe! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By D CARDOZA - November 13 - 3:36 am

  Ive owned my fully loaded Altima coupe for 6 months and so far: it has been a great experience. The interior styling is classy and the dash layout makes using all its features easy to use. As far as the exterior goes: this car is a head turner. Beautiful to look at. Ive gone on several trips of over 2 hours and find the seats to be perfectly comfortable - for two people. Also, the gas tank holds about 18 gallons so there are fewer refueling stops than youd expect. Especially considering it has power to take off and still has less fuel consumption than any V6. I test drove the Accord, Camry, and Mustang and in my opinion: you get the most out of your hard earned money with the Altima.

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  Outstanding!!!! - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Murano Lover - November 12 - 7:33 pm

  It is the best thing that Ive EVER driven. Stylish, mooth handling, corners well. Lots of bells & whistles. Why would anyone waste their time with the Lexus SUV if they could be driving this! I absolutely love it!!!!

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  Its an OK car - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By gavincd - November 12 - 7:20 pm

  I bought new in April, 2007 and drove it every day until it was totaled in a near head-on crash in October 2008. Safety-wise it was great - lots of exterior damage but passenger and I remained very safe considering. Over the 18+ months and 38,000 miles of ownership it averaged 29.34 mpg. (I drive careful - about 80% highway and 20% city.) It was mechanically sound and dependable. My biggest complaint was that its gas mileage was oversold at time of purchase. We were told it would average 33-34 mpg with our type of driving. While our mileage was OK, it fell short of promises. Im not sure if I will buy another, but I have to consider it when weighing the known- proven crash safety, etc.