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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  Huge disappointment - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Robert - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought it with 87,000 miles and did all the due diligence with a weekend test drive, private mechanic checkout and carfax. Vehicle was a 1-owner trade and exceptionally clean. Nothing but a disappointment. Cat converters, O2 sensor issues, mass air flow, tie rod ends and wheel bearings were replaced a year later. CD changer doesnt work, bad o-ring oil seals, overheats in hot weather due to an air pocket in the cooling system the dealer couldnt even clear out, windows move slowly, transmission slips in cold weather. Looks like the exhaust resonator I put on is its 3rd one. Fan amplifier control module burned out. Left side sits a bit low so I suspect a bad strut.

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  Best for price - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By tom g - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Have had the Sentra for 3 years now. Take the CVT out of overdrive when youre going 20 MPH and punch it, and the next thing you know youre going 80. I cant imagine what an Altima 3.5 with CVT is like. I think I have had one squeak in the dashboard. Also, I still havent figured out how to fold the back seats "down." Its complex, trust me. But, its an all-around great car overall.

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  Good car - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By tezza - January 18 - 10:00 am

  My Nissan gets 32 mpg, with 80 percent highway traveling 70 mph. Pretty good gas mileage. The outside of the car is Rather mundane. The trunk has plenty of room for a car of this size. Interior wise, the seat is uncomfortable due to poor lumbar support. I use a lumbar cushion to offset (I think this problem has been corrected in the 2010 model). The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope which is a problem for drivers with longer legs. The stereo is good but not great. Strangely, the air conditioning is very good. The transmission is fantastic. The car lopes along at very low rpm and at first you have to get used to the fact that it doesnt shift. Engine is good.

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  Beware of the CVT transmission - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Kevin1964 - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Car was very reliable right up until the 36k warranty ran out. Now the car at 40,000 miles needs a new transmission. Nissan will not pay for a rental car, which I feel I shouldnt have to pay. So far customer service when having problems will cause me to never buy another Nissan again. To be fair car gets great gas mileage, fairly comfortable, did perform pretty well up until transmission died. Research the CVT transmission problems before you buy!

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  Some Improvements needed - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By chivazo - January 18 - 2:36 am

  Nissan, Make a stick shift please. Metal shave trim got to go, scratch easily. Cup holders on the back should be place higher up. Miles per gallon 18 average which I think is way below the 22 mpg advertised. Dashboard electronic display its not easy to see. Best value SUV for the money. I got mine for $26,500.

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  From Kia to Nissan - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Who Knew!! - January 17 - 1:13 pm

  I purchased this car used from a lease return and I have had this car approx. 1 month and so far it is great. I love the ride and for an SUV the gas mileage is great. Although gas is a little expensive right now since i must purchase premium $2.67/gallon i get great milage. I use it for commuting and I get about 390 miles/full tank and before the gas light comes on if I wait for the light i get about 415. So far so good and I will get back to you in about 6months to update. This is a great car and fun to drive.

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  Best ever - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By stever - January 17 - 1:50 am

  Sold my Passat V6 to get this. Better looking, more powerful, better mileage, more reliable. Besides that, I guess I should have kept the VW. Nissan has yet another winner in this one.

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  Fun, stylish, but a few issues - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By GM - January 15 - 9:06 pm

  Car looks good and is fun to drive around. Had to get a recall taken care of before first oil change! Manual shifting can be fun. CVT seems smoother after first oil change. CVT seemed to be revving high sometimes. Heater takes too much time to shoot hot air out. Blows cold air and the auto feature stays on lowest fan setting until the heat kicks in. Also it always blows at your feet when on auto and the A/C is always on with auto. There is a leak with back tail light. Nissan ordered the part and it took a while to come in.

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  No Freezer On Wheels - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By JAG - January 15 - 1:06 pm

  With so mant boxy SUVs around, I think the styling is a fresh change of pace. Why is Explorer the benchmark? Murano has the same cargo and passenger space, gets way better mileage (I Ave.20.5) better performance and costs 5Gs less. Wake up all you Ford Diehards

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  2010 frontier review - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By lwl222 - January 14 - 3:15 pm

  this truck is a 4 wheel drive and I had to use it in the snow to go to work, I had no problem on the freeway and I needed to learn the 4 wheel drive system. I drove it off road to retrieve a fellows stuck car and had no problems driving in the snow. I am happy with this truck, and it was $10,000 cheaper than the Toyota of the same year model . I have had it for 5 years now and it is paid for. im very pleased with this truck.