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:

• 

  Reliable Car - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By tommy mac - December 9 - 7:36 am

  This car was the most reliable car I have ever owned. (I owned a 1990 Civic, 1988 Accord, and a 2000 Odyssey). I really wish I could keep it. I purchased the car over the Civic b/c it was about $2000 less.

• 

  Great Car - 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By nissancrazy - December 9 - 7:10 am

  Bought this car a in July. Averaging about 33 mpg mixed city and highway. Plenty of power, used to have 03 with 4 cylinder and didnt move, complete opposite. Electric to gas transition is barely noticeable. Replaced 06 Acura TL (17 mpg with same driving) and have not regretted it yet.

• 

  TERRIBLE RELIABILITY!! DO NOT PURCHASE MURANOS!! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By bobby125 - December 9 - 5:40 am

  HEARD ALL OVER OF THE SAME PROBLEMS ONCE I STARTED HAVING ISSUES W/MY MURANO. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND MURANOS!!! Bought used, had engine timing/engine chain problems HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE MOTOR!! can cost thousands, mechanics also report problems w/ under hood accessibility on front end due to everything being compacted so poor front end design which takes more time&labor costs for mechanics to fix, also had work done on ball joints, tie rods and rear sway/axle bars TOO MANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS for a foreign vehicle w/ only 120k miles.

• 

  1999 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By byana - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Pathy - I LOVE EM!!! Best SUV for the money - not too big but not a "sport cute" either. Will pass anything on the road except a gas station - fuel economy is awful. But thats not why you drive this vehicle. The 4WD is stong and generates plenty of torque (even in the high range). OEM tires(BRIDGESTONE)dont last. Really should have 16" wheels from factory with better rubber.

• 

  New - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Chief009 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I just got a new pathfinder and I love it! The engine is such a pleasure. It is smooth and powerful.

• 

  Eye Catching Design - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Eli - December 9 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have had our eye on the Murano since we first got a glimpse of it last summer. We stopped by the dealership to check it out and fell in love with styling and performance of this "SUV". It has ample storage for her to tool around town with our 2 girls, and plenty of power to appeal to the sports car enthusiest like myself. I have a 2001 Maxima, but I find myself wanting to trade cars with her. Shell never let that happen. The list of standard features is generous and plenty of whorthwhile options to pick from. Another winner Nissan!

• 

  Not Exactly Happy - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By tejewa - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I was really taken aback when I realized how terrible it handled in snow/icy conditions. It slid and slid, and the ABS made huge sounds but never stopped the car. Never felt safe in snowy/icy weather after that. The fabric on the seats attracts so much dog hair and yet our dogs have never even been in the car. And you cant get the hair out. Twice in a year weve had to take it to the dealership because the memory in the computer system goes out and all the radio settings, clock, etc. have to be re-set.

• 

  Cool Car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Nissan_guy - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I just love this car....its a marriage of Power(265HP) and luxury in its class. Fully loaded car more less than 30 K ...cant beat that....

• 

  CVT - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By ginac - December 8 - 6:50 pm

  The transmission went out on our murano at 100,000 miles. Just as the warranty was up. we had to pay $6,000 to replace it and Nissan would not help us in any way. What I am disgusted by is the nonsupport that we received from Nissan. Ive written several letters only to be ignored or told to send my inquiries elsewhere. I will never! purchase another nissan and have already gotten several of our friends to back out of purchasing a nissan. Prior to this, the cat. convertor went out. Luckily this was still under warranty. Since then, weve had a bearing go out in a tire and one of the arms (shocks?) went out-total $1,000. this is an unreliable vehicle for obvious reasons.

• 

  Updated review - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By adrian pineda - December 8 - 4:33 pm

  I bought this car four months ago. It has relieved me from driving my 2007 IS 350 out of leased miles. The real MPG is about 25 mpg hwy and Im not an agressi. It is roomy and well-built. The engine has lots of power and a reasonable amount of torque. The quality of the leather is above average. Its nice to see that all the electric features still work @ 112k Mi. The ride is stiff thus noisy but not unlivable, I think it needs shocks. The color is a pearl white and it has aged gracefully. The 02 Maxima is a great solution for people who need to commute but dont like to drive smaller cars and still get mid 20s per gallon.