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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  SE-R Engine/CVT/Seats=Grand Touring Car - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Peter - July 26 - 3:03 am

  The 2.5L DOHC 4 cyl with perfect balance is made in Japan and gets its maximum torque at 2800 rpm. The CVT senses the engine is very strong and sets itself with high speed gearing to save fuel with low engine rpm: 1600 rpm at 60mph and 1200rpm at 45mph for over 27 mph while brand new. Ride is taut yet bumps fully absorbed. Steering is outstanding with 34 ft turn radius and a dead-flat-level suspension. Exterior is very striking and attractive. Paddle shifters on steering wheel allow CVT to be shifted like a six-speed..a way-cool feature. Intelligent tranny will perceive your foot off the gas on a downhill and drop the gearing to provide engine braking automatically without needing brakes.

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  Titan Axle seal leak - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Ken - July 25 - 9:03 pm

  I bought this Titan new in 2005. I do less than 10,000 miles a year. At around 48,000 miles both rear axle seals started leaking. This repair costs over $1000. I have never done any towing, I dont have the towing package. warranty poot, I would not buy another Nissan product. If there is anyone out there looking to buy a Titan, dont do it. Nissan needs to have a recall on the axle seals.

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  This Car is over rated - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Joseph - July 25 - 2:26 pm

  Ive never had a worst experience with a car than what I had with my new Maxima. The back panel came loose and the driver side door pillow also came lose. The car has a lot of cabin noise, and after only 12,000 miles the lumbar broke. Not to mention theres noise in the front end of the car. I would much rather buy a hyndai than purchase another nissan. After 9 months I decided to sell my nissan an purchase a used lexus. I have to say the service at lexus is 100 times better than the service at nissan. Stay away.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By scottfl17 - July 25 - 10:36 am

  This was my first new car purchase and thought I made the right choice. I was wrong. There are some major problems I have with this car. The main one being the engine. It is loud, noisy, buzzy, does not get good fuel economy. I am going getting 19-21 mpg city and that is driving as conservative as possible, I dont even want to know what it would be if I drove aggressive. The CVT may have been a good idea at the time but its not. During hard acceleration the constant rev of the rpm is annoying and loud, the acceleration is not smooth, sort of feels like youre on a roller coaster, going up hills decelerates very quickly even though the pressure remains constant on the pedal.

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  Great truck, but as always a few complaints - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By thepatriot - July 25 - 7:14 am

  Overall I am mostly satisfied with this truck. Ive driven this one for just over 8,000 miles. I like the exterior styling except for the excessive amounts of "chrome" or bright shiny metal/plastic. Im fine with the bumpers being shiny, but the front bumper along with the bright grille is simply to much in my opinion. Not a big deal, Im paint the grille and that problem is solved.They also attempted to solve this in the 2012 model with the sports package. Im nearly satisfied with the interior. The materials could have been a bit better, but arent bad overall. It just seems as if the plastics scuff up pretty easily. Lastly the automatic transmission is a bit of a gear hunter.

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  Beware - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Nomore Nissan - July 25 - 5:20 am

  At 4700 miles car developed oil leak. Also hard start problem. Dealer had to practically disassemble upper engine to cure oil leak. He messed up the timing and had to redo the whole thing. Apparently the engines are not quality checked at the factory, or the leak would have been found. Fuel regulator was replaced to correct the hard start. I am very wary of this car now. I know something will go bad down the road.

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  One of the best in its class - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By RI - July 25 - 2:46 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive. It has the best power and go in its class. It is very spacious inside and I love the ergonomics. The visibility is great and the car handles the hills and curvy roads with a great sense of balance. The braking is superb. The other day I was about to turn left at a major junction when a crazy teenager shot across and I was almost in her firing line. I braked and the car stopped dead in its tracks. Gas mileage is OK not the greatest. The trunk space is ample. The interior is vastly improved. The car easily does 0- 60 in a short time and its also easy to pass other cars. Its easily the best looking cars in its class.

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  Stick with a Honda - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Sentra Money Pit - July 24 - 3:20 pm

  5 recalls and God only knows if they will stop. This does not include sensors that fail and are not part of the recalls most recent sensor failure $137.00 for the sensor and $170.00 for the labor and of course Tax. This car has only 43000 miles.

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  2013 AltimaS - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By art3 - July 24 - 11:02 am

  I have owned the Altima for 6 weeks and it is the smoothest running vehicle I have owned in 40 years of driving. I have driven 1200 miles so far with it and I applaud the economy and it is spot on as far as mpg advertised. If I had a few more bucks to spend I would have gotten the leather as the cloth i8nterior is ok, but not exceptional. I had rented a 2011 and 2012 Altima before and was impressed with their perfomance. The 2013 is a step above them. I bought it from a highly rated dealership(Priority) and do not expect problems, but my previous experience with them says they will get to the bottom of any problem should one develop. I believe for the money the Altima was the best choice.

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  My expensive Altima - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By Cookie Monster - July 24 - 2:00 am

  After 7 years of ownership, at 26,000 miles and 2 weeks out of warranty, an O2 sensor goes out ($90) , 4 weeks later, my camshaft positioner died ($500)and left me on the side of the road, then another week later, another but different O2 sensor goes out ( another $90)- all within 27,500 miles but just over 3 years old. Informed Nisson but no help. A number of little things went out for the next 4 years ( unknown $$$$) and at 73,000 the alternator quit ($335), then a month later, the car left me on the side of the road with a major electrical problem that killed the battery & alternator due to wiring shorts under the dash.