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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  CVT Transmission is awful!!! - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By Nellie - August 5 - 12:33 am

  I bought a used Rogue a little over a year ago. It had 45,000 miles on it. The transmission started making a weird whining noise this summer. I googled the issues and was shocked to see the list of issues with the CVT transmission. I ended up bringing it into to Nissan and was told that sometimes with the heat the CVT transmissions will whine but to have the fluid levels checked often. It did stop whining when it got colder and I have the fluid levels checked when I get my oil changed. Well today out of no where my transmission went. I wish I had researched a little more before buying this vehicle. A quick search will show pages of complaints on these transmission. Its a clear problem. Dont buy!!

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  Nissan Altima 2014 SL - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By jmaske@hotmail.com - August 4 - 6:25 pm

  Ive had this car for about a year, so far Ive been fairly happy. The transmission can be a bit sluggish at a dead stop, other than that, it performs well and I average 30mpg when driving for fun. I can hit 40+ mpg on the highway if driving conservatively. When on the highway, theres plenty of power to maneuver as needed.

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  05 Pathfinder SE - So far so good - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By OP - August 4 - 8:23 am

  So far so good, except for the rattling noise underneath vehicle. Will have it checked out this week. Had to replace tires immediately (were horrible in snow/slush) after purchase- went from BF Goodrich Longtrails to Goodyear Forteras.Manufacturer forgot to put on passenger side molding as well - will get this fixed too. Other than the above, great vehicle!Very smooth,great performance, great stereo. Have the premium and comfort package.Great cargo space when third row folds down. Hope it holds up.Dual- climate control works great.

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  mpg lousy for a small truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By fireguy - August 4 - 12:46 am

  like most things about the truck (the drive, how it handles, etc.). Interior controls are good, however mpg horrible for a small truck. less than 15 on the interstate, less than 12 in town. I bought the truck thinking fuel mileage would be reasonable (most small trucks are).

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  We absolutely LOVED our Nissan Quest, until.. - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By Rachel B. - August 3 - 7:33 pm

  We loved our Nissan Quest, until the warranty ran out. Now, the car we once loved and adored, sits at the Nissan Service center, with $6500 worth of repairs on the CVT transmission and AC unit. We cant afford the repairs, since we still owe $15,000 on the car. Nissan has offered us zero support, despite the wide spread number of documented complaints on 2010-2012 Nissans CVT transmissions, and Nissan Quest A/C units. Additionally, the car has gone through 6 sets of tires, and seems to need breaks every few months. It is VERY costly to own a Nissan Quest. I suggest, if youre in the market for a used mini van, stay away from the Quest, and look at something like a Kia Sedona, which has a stronger warranty.

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  CVT transmissions are from the Devil - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By nathan - August 3 - 6:56 pm

  I have a 2010 Nissan Murano, SL, AWD. First noticed transmission oil leak at 20K on garage floor. Maybe tablespoon full of fluid, Took to Lee Nissan in Topsham, Maine and techs could not locate the leak. Drove car directly to my personal mechanic who located the leak within 30 seconds of having the car on his lift. Leaking transfer case at the impellar shaft. Took it back to Nissan who all of a sudden, could also see the leak! Fixed under warranty. At about 48K, noticed leak again. Same runaround with Lee Nissan of Topsham. Fixed under warranty. Fast foward to 77k on odometer. Wife is driving on highway and transmission stops working. Car towed to Nissan who states that both Tranmission an

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  05 Frontier - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By WMacork - August 3 - 12:50 pm

  Body integrity needs work. Tailgate hinges have been replaced but tailgate is too heavy and has caused body damage to lower part of tailgate. Fosgate radio is good but two bands of AM and only 1 of FM doesnt make sense. Satellite from Nissan is too expensive even though convenient. My spouse doesnt like the passenger seat for trips but drivers seat is very comfy. Reliability has been very good except body integrity.

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  Awesome car - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By billy - August 3 - 10:30 am

  Great car, love the heated seats and the sunroof and the bose stereo. The power in this car is great. I have gone 115mph and was not shaking at all. Good performance car.

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  Replacement cost of xenon headlamps - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By creationsbyme - August 3 - 12:13 am

  First, the motor runs great at 140K. The trans has started making noise. Undrivable right now. When I replaced one of the xenon headlamps, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor, were not talking about the whole assembly, just the bulb itself. At the Nissan dealership in Victorville, CA $258.00 for the bulb!! Can you believe it? I went on line and found the cheapest to be $159.00 My suggestion for someone who may not want to pay that much is when the xenon goes out, run your brights instead of replace. Bright bulbs cost $8. Oh, the spark plugs are internal. Tune up costs $418.00 to replace 6 spark plugs.

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  Not Bad for the price - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Jay Solomon - August 2 - 1:23 pm

  The SE-R has plenty of pep and power on the highway (2.5) Everyone says that the car has a great look and it drives like a sports car. The seating is low to the ground which requires some adjustment since I also drive a 4- Runner. The sports package gives the car a bumpy ride on roads that are less that perfect. The stearing is highly responsive and overall, for the money it seems to be a great little car. I have about 700 miles on the car. The quality of the sound system is surprising. For my taste I wish I would have moved up to a Honda Accord or BMW 300 series just to have more car under me. The price, however, was just too tempting.