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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  350Z Roadster (6MT Touring) - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Zthuzist - September 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a terrific car. The ride quality of the 04 is much, much better than the 03. The roadster is more fun than the coupe.

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  Buy it if you can the right PRICE - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By rasyoyo - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I found this vehichle to be outstanding in the off the line department, car really gives you some white knuckle driving while its doing it thing to get you out on the expressway and down the expressway. On tight backroads it a little soft in the turns and needs serious attention from the driver to accomplish fast left to right turning while braking. My wipers dont clean so well, driving in the rain is a pain, but that could be my fault for not asking for new ones after purchase. Car draws alot of attention even while sitting. Interior needs an extreme upgrade on materials used, the finish looks cheap but can be corrected with aftermarket parts.

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  Update to original review - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By erichards - September 12 - 10:55 pm

  Just wanted to update my original review & revise some of the ratings (which you cant do to the original review for some reason). In the original review (@29k miles) I said the only issues were the lower-than-expected mileage, and the brake rotors that were starting to glaze. Now with 64k miles on the car (in 25 months) I can report that aside from those things the car has been perfect. I just replaced the brake pads at 63k miles, and am about to put a new set of tires on at 64k. The mileage continues to average 27-28 mpg, although I have experienced outstanding (36-37 mpg) mileage on a few long highway trips (I got 625 miles out of one tank of gas in one instance). Overall very satisfied.

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  Only a little disappointed - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Joe - September 12 - 10:46 pm

  After reading positive reviews, I purchased a Murano. I like, not love, this car. It has great style, comfort, easy and fun to drive. The overall look, storage areas, rear camera, intelligent key, smooth trans, roominess and MANY other quality features makes this a very acceptable car. However, my disappoinment is the bumpy ride over rough roads and the low fuel economy. I knew from other reviews that the fuel economy wasnt great, but I seem to be one of few who is unhappy with the rougher ride on bumpy pavement, certainly NOT highways. Also, I often accidently open the center console with my elbow. Bad placement of 2 sensitive push buttons which control this compartment.

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  Basic Transportation - 2016 Nissan Versa
  By David Williams - September 12 - 8:54 pm

  The Versa S gives you the basics with the essentials like A/C and a bluetooth radio with 4 speakers at a very low price. The car comes standard with everything manual: manual 5 spd.transmission, windows, door locks, seats, and key. I was able to make a copy of my key for $2.00 when it would cost me over $200+ to replace my chip key for my Honda and VW. But the conviences you give up in power features you gain in less weight, better fuel economy, quicker acceleration, shorter stopping distance, better reliability, and a lower cost to own and operate. The Versa a good car for basic transportation needs.

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  140K and kicking along - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Solar Star - September 12 - 1:13 pm

  Bought in 10/2002 with 36k. Not much by way of maintenance to report until the last couple of yrs. Pretty reliable. I did get stranded early on with the Ignition, but then NOTHING out of the ordinary until 125k. Maintenance: @ 60K replaced Ignition Key Switch-$100 @ 75K minor brake work and tires-$600 (including the cost of tires) @ 125K replaced timing belt, hoses water pump etc.-$1200 Now at 140K and the exhaust needs replacing & steering is jacked up. Mechanic says the rack and pinion bushings are deteriorated. Rear shocks need to be replaced--$18-2000. Only going to bring a couple grand in trade-in, so probably going to pay the $2k with hopes of a couple more yrs of life!

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  2005 Pathfinder SE - Multiple Issues - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By rushfanyyz - September 11 - 8:17 pm

  Bought it in 2008 with 32K on it, now have 89K and have been a member of every recall Nissan has issued and then some. First was the A/C console had to be replaced; fuel sending unit failed at 70K, ECM was replaced under recall at 85K. Now with 89K, the oil sending unit has failed and the torque converter inside the transmission is shot. Its at Nissan getting a BRAND NEW TRANNY from Japan at the toon of $4300 and low and behold, that brand new transmission is defective as well. Leaking fluid. Its Brand NEW and still has issues. 4-6 weeks before I get a replacement. Nothing but problems. Dont ever buy one of these vehicles. Selling it next year. Would rather walk instead LOL

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  Great Things From The "Cube!" - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By Jim in Acworth, GA - September 11 - 7:40 pm

  I love this car! Its "snazzy," and fun to drive. Im getting 31+ mpg around town. I expect to do even better when I drive to D.C.

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  TRANSMITION PROBLEM - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By risoti - September 10 - 10:38 pm

  Please, Please, Please dont buy 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. It is a piece of garbage. especially the transmition. all of them the transmition will get bad after 80k mile. mine was 88k mile when antifreeze filled up in the transmition. when I took to the transmition shop, there were another five Nissan Pathfinders with exact same problem. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR

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  Lets be fair - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By Rezavi, G - September 10 - 12:20 pm

  You get what you pay for. I am satisfied with the car considering what I paid for it. There are some recurring themes of problems (lets face it we want to know the bad before we buy): 1. There is occasional weird noise when I make a hard right turn at > 30 mph from the rear right wheel. 2. Transmission down shifting is non- existing, it is another weirdness to it overall not very smooth. 3. Experience the fan on with only 10 secs interval when the air conditioning is on. That does not sound right. Thats about it, the good news is that if your car is exhibiting one or all of these symptoms, well thats the point of 36,000 3 year warranty, get the bugs worked out while its covered.