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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  Say No To Versa - 2014 Nissan Versa Note
  By isabellespi - August 18 - 12:30 pm

  I have had this Versa Note for less than 3 months with under 1,000 miles on it. Yesterday I noticed the oil leak spots on the driveway. The worthless dealership says I have to wait 6 days for an appointment to bring it in. If I had known the heap was made in Mexico I would never have bought it. This leak is due to shoddy, sloppy workmanship. One more thing, the worthless dealership said they may have to keep the heap overnight! I dont know which is worse, the dealership or the car. Meanwhile, I have to keep checking and adding oil for the next 6 days while waiting for the worthless dealership appointment.

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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!

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  BAD CAR!!!! - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Joe Farmer - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I DONT CARE WHAT EVRYONE ELSE SAYS!! THIS CAR SUCKS!!!!!!!!! Ive already taken the pile of glue in 15 times in the past 3 months. The transmissions suck. And theyre the best part of the car! I almost threw up the car rocked so much and was amazed at how bad the gas milage was. I Cant belive this thing comes from NISSAN!!

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  YOU WILL RUN INTO THE SAME PROBLE WITH CVT TRANSMI - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By art - August 8 - 2:11 pm

  2012 Nissan Sentra just stopped moving in rush hour traffic. Needs a new transmission. The dealership wont cover it. I will never purchase another Nissan. I have always had Toyotas and they last me years/over 200,000 miles with no problems. Got a good deal on the Sentra but will never buy a Nissan again. YOU WILL RUN INTO THE SAME PROBLE WITH CVT TRANSMISSION AND THE COST IS $3700.00 TO GET IT FIX AT THE DEALER

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  Manufacturing problems - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By . - August 8 - 9:50 am

  I bought the Rogue 2016 two months ago in Koppel Nissan in Queens NY, after the first two weeks the car started with a noise in front and back then I brought the car to the dealer and they told me that this Nissan Rogue has a manufacturing defects, more that two weeks and Im still waiting for a call to fix the problem.

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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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  A PIECE OF CRAP! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By rebert - June 29 - 4:58 pm

  WARNING! Bought based on Consumer Reports rating which was much higher than Camry. Chief auto tester came from Nissan then went back to Nissan! This car is a piece of crap! First week had vibration at highway speeds. Found three rims were out of round. Any wind affects the car and you must hold onto the wheel as it will drift all over the road. Interior is cheap as hell and the seat covering wrinkles easily. Under a slight load engine skips as it runs extremely lean. Engine and entire car is very loud. Solved problems by trading it in! WARNING!

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  Bad - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By bithc - June 14 - 8:06 am

  i hate this car i bought it and then 4 months later i hade to replace the engin because it blew that cost me 4,000$ and then a week later i had to bring it in to get a new muffler because the orignal one fell off i guess the clamp was not on and it just droped and i was driving down the street and it almost hit a person behind me i hate this car is is the worst car in the world

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  It is a LEMON - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Hate this car! - June 8 - 4:03 am

  Previous 1996 pathfinder owner for 13 yrs.Traded for a 2008 model-it is plastic junk. Started rattling 5 wks after purchase: windows,dash,inside AC vents makes loud noise,hatch closes so hard glass shakes and rear inside panel is dangling/rattling due to rear door, rear camera wont work when it rains, steering column is going to fall off in my lap one day, paint so thin a fingernail can scratch it, rear view mirror falls down but Nissan wont replace it. Nissan says there is a lot of plastic and I should "learn to live with the noise"! Nissan Corp has gone downhill in the quality of vehicles.

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  BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE BUYING THIS CAR - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By Martha - May 24 - 8:40 pm

  This car is poorly designed in relation to safety features. If you want a safe car, stay away from the 2011 Nissan Maximas or all Nissans in general. IF you get into a minor car accident in this vehicle you will have major injuries. This model 2011 Nissan Maxima is defective, unsafe, hazardous, and life threatening. Do not ever buy a 2011 Nissan Maxima, no matter how pretty it seems. Dont ever get in a 2011 Nissan Maxima. Dont drive next to a 2011 Nissan Maxima. Dont let anyone you love or know get into one of these cars. This car is nothing more than a death wish. STAY AWAY!!!!!