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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  Leaf saved my life - 2015 Nissan Leaf
  By William Woodward - April 29 - 4:51 pm

  I loved the car. I had a 60-mile commute once a week, as well as local driving, and was proud that put 10K miles / year on the car. We have a Prius as a second car for longer trips. I totaled the car in a head-on collision during into oncoming traffic. The car saved me from serious injury (one broken rib), absorbed the shock, spun 150 degrees. Frame was unbent so that I was able to open drivers door and get out. Seatbelt worked fine, not sure about air bag. I am waiting to replace the car until I pay off the car. That will take 15 months or more. Meanwhile I am driving a 15 year old spare car. It is a station wagon and more practical that the Leaf for hauling. Depreciation is the major negative. Insurance company said it could only give me $13K for a car that I paid $36K for. They had never seen a depreciation rate that extreme. I guess I should have leased the car. But that seemed too expensive to me. I also bought warrantee; they have yet to reimburse me now that the car is dead.

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  Great car with a lot of space and power. - 2007 Nissan Armada
  By michael147 - April 27 - 12:51 am

  I bought a 2005 armada and liked it so much I bought another one in 2007. The 2005 still had the break problem of the previous 2004 year but it has been corrected by making the rotors stronger. It has a lot of pick up and a lot of room. I have had this 2nd one for almost 3 years and 40k miles and have not had any problems but for the back door latch sticking. The only thing I wish was better is the gas mileage which is at 11 miles per gallon in the city. The 2005 got 13 miles with the same type of travel. Not sure what the difference is. Highway is between 16 and 17 miles per gallon.

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  I shoulda just bought a used car - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Vicky - April 26 - 4:10 am

  If I woulda known that it wouldve given me the hassle that it has, I wouldve bought a used car and saved myself a few extra Gs.Luckily, almost everything has been under warranty, but the hassle of having to take days off work and having a rental was just a lot. I bought it in 01/2007. In 03/2007 the 6 cd changer busted, I had to get it replaced and guess what, my CDs were never returned. about a year later, my transmission blew. I was out on a rental for a wk. Then there was a recall on airbags and brake hose a few months later. Then the battery was dying. Had it checked twice and both times I was told it was fine. Now the battery is dead completely. I missed 3 days of work and am fed up Nissan

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  Cmon Nissan - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By East Coast Maxima - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Have had previous Nissans and have always had good experiences with Nissan, but am a bit disappointed in this Maxima. The service engine light has been on several times and car has barely 40K miles on it, also the springs in the drivers seat squeek and creak all the time while driving, and has been doing this since about 25K miles, its extremely annoying. Dealers dont seem to help. Have a 2000 Quest and have had several mechanical problems as well. One of the main reasons I went with Nissan was for reliability, Ive lost a lot of confidence.I do like the Nissan styling and engine performance, and want to love the Maxima, but cant.

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  Bad Paint - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By BobbyF - April 25 - 11:10 am

  This is my third Nissan vehicle. Very unhappy with the paint quality on all three. Have had this Quest for around 2 years, never drive it on gravel and am very careful in parking lots but the paint literally is falling off the car. Approximately 2 dozen paint chips on hood already from just everyday use. Carefully washing in manual car wash and large piece of paint fell off with no satisfaction from dealer. Think strongly about this when considering buying a Quest.

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  Radiator Broken - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Slan100 - April 25 - 12:36 am

  5 months after my warranty expired, the radiator broke down from the top (anyone has had the same problems?) The dealer charged $760 for replacing it. My Honda Accord has been there for 6 years and 3 months, not a single serious problem. It makes me nervous. Very disappointed. First time trying a Nissan and last time.

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  Trying to upgrade! - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By John Meyer - April 24 - 8:38 am

  Glove box latch hard to reach (centered) old Maxima had latch on upper left of door much easier to reach. passenger seat is to low. redundant control on console should have been used for storage, who needs three controls that do the same thing? car does not corner as well as my 2009 Maxima, tends to drift.

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  Not Bad . . but Pricey - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By tjf - April 23 - 4:46 am

  18 Month Update - Pros: - Nice sporty & aggressive profile - OK gas mileage on open road (mid 30s)- Clean looks inside - Very roomy front & back. - Cons: (TTT)Terribly tiny trunk - when cold lousy gas mileage(in mid- No folding back seat - high 20s)not acceptable for the price. - Tech package nice but Nav just OK - not intuitive -backup cam great when back windshield fogged up. - Sometimes start button doesnt start the system/engine ? ? ? even when clearly depressing the brake pedal requirement) - Black trim beneath front bumper got torn off by an average parking cement block. - Cant seem to upload my cell phonebook - No success programming garage door opener on mirror. - No ala carte.

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  Good overall vehicle - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By exrec - April 22 - 4:03 am

  This was my second Pathfinder purchase. I owned an 05 brand new SE and turned it in off lease then went to my wifes honda until it was off lease. I bought the LE due to the navigation and rear DVD system for my kids. Overall the vehicle is good, and solid. The gas mileage is horrible and the navigation is harder to work then a nintendo wii. I have yet to find a direction on it.

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  Totalled yet still drives perfect - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima rules - April 21 - 11:26 am

  I bought this car from my dad 3 yrs ago and it only had about 70k miles. About a year later I was involved in a front end accident (not my fault) and the car was deemed totaled by the insurance company. They gave me a check for more than I bought the car, I turned around and bought the car back from the insurance company for $700, drove it off the lot and to this day I have not fixed it. All I do is oil change it every 4 mos or so, change tires and brakes, and drive drive drive. Its at over 115k miles now and still drives amazing!! Maximas are a beast!