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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  Fantastic, Glad I Got It! - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By Rusty - August 15 - 12:56 pm

  The car is quiet and really fun to drive. I have had it over a month and I am averaging 33.6 mpg. I drive approx 84 miles per day to and from work. I use it as a commuter car and it is perfect. Driving in Atlanta traffic is terrible and this little car makes it fun. Excellent stereo,(I got the rocksford system), very comfortable, and quiet. Plenty of pep for what I need, I average 80 mph daily when traffic is moving. I strongly suggest you try one. If you are looking for a good gas mileage, comfortable, safe car, get a Cube. P.S. – your friends will make fun of you, however, you can laugh at them when gas hits $3.00 dollars + per gallon. O yeah, it only has an 11 gallon gas tank.

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  Rogue is Best- It beats the rest! - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By Jimbo Driver - August 15 - 11:50 am

  I drove the rav4, forester, patriot, crv,& escape. I have to say in terms of build quality, fit & finish, style, safety & comfort the Nissan Rogue won me over. Everything feels substantial - doors closing, handling, engine. The car is refined and sporty. The cabin is comfortable and all controls are logical (except for the missing radio dial for tuning). The car handles well. Steering is exact. Brakes are strong. In rain and snow the car goes where you direct it. I feel comfortable and safe in this car. Drive one!

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  Fun to Drive but tight for big guys. - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By dr - August 15 - 8:23 am

  The 2002 Pathfinder is definitely fun to drive, especially with the newer and more powerfull engine. I have a 4WD LE with everything except the entertainment unit and Navigation system. The drive is smooth, comfortable and fun. The only drawback is the lack of head room, which decreases about another 1 to 1 1/2 inches with the moon roof. Its very tight for anyone over 6.

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  LP - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By lp - August 14 - 10:26 pm

  Each year Nissan builds a better Maxima. Maxima is an all around driving experience. It performs better than any other car in its class. Nissan builds quality into every driving component of the Maxima. It looks great,it is comfortable and reliable. The best car for the money under $30,000. This is my fourth Maxima and I will continue to buy this car.

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  Paint Defects - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By skreamz - August 14 - 5:13 pm

  bought a certified used 2012 Nissan Altimawith only 7.000 miles from Montrose Nissan in Hermitage, Pennsylvania in Sept 2012. I noticed in March 2013 that my trunk lid on my car had defects in the clear coat. After closer examination They were real small specs in the clear coat that were starting to peel. Several trips to the dealership and endless phone calls to Nissan Consumer Affairs and still no result. The service department at this dealership is very slow when it comes to this issue. Nissan has very very poor service when it comes to warranty issues. Save your money and go buy either a Honda or a Toyota. This is the last time I ever buy a Nissan. Nissan you blew it.

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  No regrets here! - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Jodi - August 14 - 3:30 pm

  I bought the 07 SL just 2 weeks ago. No regrets here! The CVT is quiet and smooth. The interior is extremely roomy for 5 and the cargo space is abundant. Im getting just about 22 mpg with about 60% of my driving on surface streets. Like anyone else, having better gas mileage would be nice, but if that was my #1 priority, I wouldnt have gotten an SUV. The main 2 downfalls I have found is 1) no MP3 player jack (but have heard they are adding this to the 09s), and 2) the compartment spaces could be a bit more functional. The top space is only deep enough for a few pens and the CD compartment is much deeper than anyone really needs. But if this is the worst of it, Ill take it!

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  Experience after 2 months - 2011 Nissan Leaf
  By ph_ - August 14 - 9:09 am

  Ok, Ive had a leaf for about 2 months now. Admittedly, I also have a gas car, which I use when I need to go out of town. That said, the Leaf is the primary vehicle being driven about twice the miles as the gas car. Overall, Nissan did an excellent job. I could complain about a number of things but Ill focus on the essentials instead. 1. Plugging in at night is no problem. It takes about 15 seconds - and another 15 in the morning. 2. Acceleration is great. The specs are above. But, from observing the Leafs kilowatt meter, it appears Nissan restricted the acceleartion (probably for safety). Instead of immediately pegging at 80kw (the top of the meter), it... (see forum)

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  Well worth it - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By george - August 14 - 5:43 am

  Great car. Fun to drive but missing a few things. No iPod dock, memory seats, or usable cup holders. The nav system isnt worth it and the stereo sounds good but isnt user friendly. Bluetooth is also flawed, our Acuras system was much better. Power and looks are awesome. Get the windows tinted and a spoiler for the finished look. The car rides low so be prepared to replace the windshield a few times. Limited sight visibility also takes getting used to. Getting around 30 mpg under normal driving conditions.

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  150K and still going - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Lee - August 13 - 11:26 pm

  I bought the car new. Manifold gasket replaced at 135k. Mine lasted little longer than many others I read. I was lucky that my mechanic only charged me $300. Front brake was only replaced twice and rear brake once at 120k. Changed battery twice every 4 years since new. Oil change with mobile 1 every 5k. Thats it. Very low maintanance car. Enough power to get around and smooth enough but not a luxury just little better than average sedan. Little bigger than compact and little smaller than midsize. Gas mileage around 22-24 mixed driving.

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  Dont buy! - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Brian Hertling - August 13 - 3:53 pm

  Well here it goes...I dont complain much, but Ive had it with my 2009 Nissan Altima. The steering lock column has failed on me, leaving the vehicle dead in its tracks. After researching the issue, Ive learned that it has been and continues to be a major issue on this make and model. I reside in Minnesota and this happened at night with the temperature of -5 and wind-chills at -30 leaving my wife and I stranded 30 miles from home and 45 miles from the nearest Nissan dealer. The $700 part fails to disengage from the steering column and therefore renders the car useless. After numerous conversations with Nissan consumer affairs I have yet to get an answer. Apparently they extended the warranty for this part, but go figure...It happened to me after the warranty expired. In doing more research I have learned that unless a certified Nissan mechanic diagnosis the issue they(consumer affairs) cant or wont(not sure) do anything for me. Furthermore, the part is the size of a deck cards and riveted so I cant replace the part myself. So, long story short...$700 part, $300 in labor, $150 towing bill for a part that is essentially useless. What has me upset is that Nissan knowingly has not placed a recall on the part even though there have been thousands of issues directly related to this issue....Not to mention its on the National Highway Safety Dept list of hazards. There will never be another Nissan in my garage...ever!