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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  Maxim value - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Danny Stevens - April 13 - 8:42 am

  Weve only had the car a few weeks but love it. We especially appreciate the safety features and are looking forward to being more comfortable on road trips. Fit and finish are excellent all around. Going to really enjoy the heated seats and heated steering wheel this winter. No complaints at all so far. Lots of compliments!

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  Maxim value - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Danny Stevens - April 13 - 8:42 am

  Weve only had the car a few weeks but love it. We especially appreciate the safety features and are looking forward to being more comfortable on road trips. Fit and finish are excellent all around. Going to really enjoy the heated seats and heated steering wheel this winter. No complaints at all so far. Lots of compliments!

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  DO NOT BUY A NISSAN - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Sally Bell - April 13 - 3:53 am

  I will never buy a Nissan again! I own a Nissan Rouge and my car stopped working while I was on the freeway while my daughters were in the car. I found out it was my transmission (CVT) but Nissan refused to replace it since I was 1,700 miles outside of the warranty. There was no indication there was even an issue or that I should take my car in; which would have saved me thousands of dollars, prevented being without a car for over a week, and putting me and my family in grave danger. It is extremely upsetting and disheartening that Nissan cares so little for their loyal customers.

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  Sold on Nissan - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By R.F.MARTINEC - April 13 - 1:30 am

  The conservative styling and ride of this compact car sold me. This is my second Sentra and I am very impressed with the upgrades Nissans has done with this model for 2006. I use this car primary for commuting and a few long distance trips. Average fuel economy is 24-26 mpg in mix city driving. and about 10 mpg more with highway driving. This is not bad cosidering I have an automatic. My only compliant is some interior rattles on ruff pavement.

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  Didnt want it but glad I got it. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Brandon Jones - April 12 - 8:03 pm

  Ive owned my car for 3 years and drive heavily, around 24,000 mi/yr. I havent had any problems with it other than changing a blown bulb. I have about 85000 mi on my vehicle now. This model is roomy, drives well, and is pretty good on gas considering its a family sedan. The interior controls are plain to me. If I didnt drive such long distances to work I would probably keep it. $3 a gallon even with average gas mi. can sting. Overall a solid purchase!

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  Nice Truck!! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By zeke - April 12 - 6:36 pm

  Was looking for a new truck and went back and forth between full/midsize. Found some articles on the Fronty on internet and test drove. It was very impressive and spoke for itself. Good power, handling ride quality, well thought out design and ruggedness. Nissan is a player in the truck market offering quality/pricing and a good reputation.

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  Much Better Now!! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By gaptozak - April 12 - 5:10 pm

  I just traded in my 2004 Nissan Armada for the 2005 Model.Its like night and day.The 2005 has a considerable improvement with the interior build quality. The ride is cushier, softer than the brash and hash 2004 model. Interior cabin is a whole lot quieter, the engine roar has been deadened. Better overall interior materials and lay out. Love the rear camera view when backing up or out.This Vehicle is the best full size SUV in its class. Nissan has listened and have delivered.

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  15,000 Miles in 6 months - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Joe Hill - April 12 - 3:40 pm

  I love ny Armada. I was first hesitant about buying the Armada when I read your reviews about the brakes on the 2004 model. Most dealers I talked to indicated that the brake problem had been solved. After reading the negative reviews from 2004 I noticed that Nissan was buying back Armadas from unsatisfied customers. This is what relaxed my fears and pushed me to get the product I really wanted. I have driven the SUV from my home in Navarre Florida to Delware, Texas, and Orlando. I have experienced no problems. I did not even notice brake dust build up on those long trips. The gas milage was not a suprise, but I have been geting close to 18 MPH on the interstate.

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  Love it But, Not Dependable - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By txgreg61 - April 12 - 2:43 am

  I bought a 2.5 SV in October 2012 and issues began within a few days of purchase. The car is comfortable and responsive for a 4 cylinder. The first 2 issues were a vibration when the engine was under a load and the other was some electrical issues. The driver side door lock would actuate repeatedly without my doing anything and the window would go half way down or up then return any time I pressed the button. The passenger side air bag warning light stayed on much of the time. After 18 months and 27,000 miles, the electrical issues persisted, the alternator went out and so did the transmission. I replaced it with a 2013 3.5 SL and within a week the transmission started acting up.

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  Radiator Assembly Problem - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By cookdough - April 11 - 10:14 pm

  I bought my 2005 Pathfinder used in October 2008. It now has 74,500 miles. I read all the horror stories about the radiator assembly so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had the dealer replace it before the extended warranty even expired. I had no evidence of any problem but did not want to risk ruining the transmission. Woodbury Nissan in NJ charged $843 (parts & labor) to replace the radiator assembly, but the piece of mind was worth it. Maybe if Nissan ever decides to recall, Ill be reimbursed. Im not holding my breath. And yes... Ill never buy another Nissan.