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:

• 

  Nice At First But Two Years Later....... - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Rebecca - December 10 - 8:30 pm

  This was the first car I ever bought brand new. I wanted something roomy that got good gas mileage. The car was great at first but after 15,000 miles the breaks create massive amounts of dust that make the car squeal loud everytime I break. The hubcaps are cheap and fall off and the dealership took advantage of the fact that I did not know how much hubcaps cost and charged me $65.... for one. Every now and then the car wont start. I try again and then it will start. The MPG is okay but has decreased severly at 37,000 miles. My biggest issue is the tire pressure. My tires loose about 8 pounds every week. I refill them and within a week they have lost pressure again. Very Aggravating.

• 

  This car was well maintained - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Eleisha Redmond - December 10 - 3:46 pm

  This car is Stylish and comfortable

• 

  We love it! - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By Dave - December 10 - 6:06 am

  We have not owned a compact car in years and after test driving many models we were not sure we were willing to give up the quiet smooth ride in exchange for gas mileage. Once we test drove the Sentra we knew immediately it was the car we were looking for. It is very quiet with a smooth ride and has extremely comfortable seats. The cabin gives the feel of a much larger vehicle and the 2.0 engine has no issues with acceleration when needed. We purchased the 2.0 S, and found the standard features to be extensive. The 5 star crash rating was a bonus.

• 

  14,000 cluth burned out - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By jerrygarner - December 9 - 7:40 pm

  I see another review, his clutch burned out at 12,000. Very unhappy, very difficult to see when backing up, had to remove headrest. Very sorry about this purchase, very unhappy with many factors. go back a second time before you buy, I should have listened.

• 

  3k miles in, great car so far. - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Maximus16 - December 9 - 4:38 pm

  Bought a white Platinum for my wife. At first I did not want this car. I wasnt to big on the body change and powertrain. I really expected Nissan to pump out more than 300hp and 261 torque. The Nismo edition is supposed to have 325hp - 298 torque, well see how it does. But I went to the dealership, sat in one, played around with the controls then test drove.. I ended up trading in my 2012 SV model (I made reviews on here before - Maximus12). I can tell the CVT has improved. It does feel slightly faster than my 2012 model, this one will get up and go. The seats are more comfortable. The center console does sit a little high but part of that design was so you rest your arm on it and use the center menu buttons and control wheel comfortably while driving. The technology in this car is great. 4 cameras, lane departure sensors, accident prevention sensors, music over bluetooth. The lighting inside wood panel at night looks pretty neat. I would say Nissan did well with this redesign. I did read the other reviews on here and seeing others having issues with their moon roof and memory seating. I will say our memory seating is not working. Well save our settings for drivers 1 and 2 then the next day, neither button works. I will be addressing this to the dealership. No issues with moon roof yet. Hopefully none. One thing for you guys to watch out for- our model has lighter tan leather (I would say more white than tan) and my wifes jeans are turning the leather blue. These are not cheap Wal Mart jeans either. Purchasing some leather cleaner from Advanced Auto Parts or Auto Zone removes the blue. Not sure what that is about.. We have a 4runner with tan leather seats and it does not happen in there. Overall were happy with the car. I will post again around 10k miles.

• 

  "The Altima: Top of the Class" - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By johnnycash - December 9 - 2:03 pm

  Before I purchased the Altima I test drove 5 different vehicles, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Saturn Aura, and the Ford Fusion. The Altima was the best ride, quite with sufficent power. I purchased the Altima Sedan 2.5S automatic with CVT. The exterior is sporty but not overdone. The interior is spacious even for myself at 6ft. 3in. The car is great on gas, city and highway, 25-34. I did not get any extra packages, since the car is already pretty equipped. Well worth the price. I liked it better all around than the other vehicles I mentioned previously.

• 

  Armada 2009 - 2009 Nissan Armada
  By Nelson - December 9 - 11:23 am

  SUV is solid and strong. The large V8 has plenty of power and can keep family safe with its safety features and large size. Downside to the large powerful V8 is that it is a gas guzzler. If gas stays reasonably cheap then it shouldnt be an issue. Great car, love it.

• 

  One Great SUV - Sweeet!!! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By RCA - December 8 - 5:56 pm

  I love my new Xterra SE! The overall package is a great value (with the rebates), and the design, and quality fit & finish are exceptional. The sporty sound betrays the power and performance, and the ride & handling are outstanding - refined, responsive ride & handling, without any vibrations or rattles. The interior is spacious, and comfortable, and the Rockford-Fosgate Audio system rocks! Fuel economy could be better, but itÂ’s still good at an overall average of 20 mpg. Consumer Reports reports great reliability. Sure, IÂ’d like leather, an automatic climate control system, automatic head lights, 6-way power seats, fully carpeted rear cargo area, etc., but those arent "deal-breakers."

• 

  Stalls out check engine comes on - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By 2.5s - December 8 - 1:53 pm

  When driving the car would cut out, lose power but still be running, tach would jump up and down press on gas no response, had car in Nissan dealer many times they were playing the guessing game, replaced throttle body, computer, complete wiring harness, car is doing same as before started last night, I just put a new fuel pump, plugs 126.000 mi. Have not checked check engine code yet. Thanks

• 

  Great Truck! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By libby - December 8 - 7:53 am

  I use it to tow a horse trailer and 2 horses around. I love it! It tows easily and I can bring a bunch of people with me to the horse shows because the interior is so spacious.