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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  An Unexpected Treat - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By ICSTAR IN THE HOUSE - September 30 - 9:36 am

  To quote the food critic guy on Top Chef, this car is like Tom Cruises performance on Tropic Thunder, an unexpected treat. My current mileage is a little under 900 miles after one month + 2 weeks of driving. No problems at all. Once I reached break in mileage (1500), Ill stop babying it and see what it can really do. Dealer wanted me to go for the S AWD for saving $$$ and I didnt need the extras that came with the SL. He was right. The car is sweet and gets a few looks. The factory stereo is OK but to get the Bose, had to go with Premium Pkg on the SL. Some sliding on turns. Front pillars are distracting. Will not disappoint. You get a lot for your money. Quiet. Peppy.

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  Only the transmission - 2009 Nissan GT-R
  By tokyogtr - September 30 - 4:13 am

  Had the car for 5 months now with 11000 km. Transmission started to make severe mechanical noise, couldnt shift from 1st to 2nd. The dealer transplanted a new transmission... I still love the car, enjoy the acceleration and cornering. If not for the transmission, its a reliable car on every aspect. When you can beat Porsche Turbo at about 1/3 the price, I couldnt complain.

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  Best Midsize SUV - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By a32 - September 29 - 9:23 pm

  Love this SUV. It handles great on the road, as nimble and stable as it gets for an SUV. Great power, gets off the line very nicely. Very fun to drive. Trade-off for the stability and agility is a harsh ride (especially for backseat riders). Bumps are very hard and abrupt with 5 ppl. Even though its a 2WD I have taken it offroad and it has handled everything Ive thrown at it. Average 16-17 mpg mixed (majority city). Zero problems.

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  Above Average - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Devin - September 29 - 8:46 pm

  I drove a Dodge 4x4 and it doesnt compare! This truck has great power, speed, and can handle itself in a crowd without any problem. Its had its share of problems though - complete brakes, rotors everything was replaced at 20k (unpublished recall). Replaced some switches from breaking, replaced wiring from rear passenger door because I had no trailer lights (recall), replaced tires at 35k, completely bald, and finally the doors wouldnt open when it got below 30 degrees (another unpublished recall). But I have to say cars fall apart, its a part of their makeup.

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  02 Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Alex W - September 29 - 12:33 pm

  Great Mid-size sedan, Powerful 4cyc, and V6 engine, a lot of fun to drive in and out of traffic, people love it every where you go.

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  The greatest car ever! - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By mcrockett - September 29 - 8:46 am

  I brought by 1996 Maxima at a public auto auction in Dec 2005 for $2,800. The car was at 132K miles. Today in Nov 2011 I have almost 325K originial miles. This car has paid for itself over and over. I have no major problems only routine maintainence (oil changes, brakes,...). Ive had it tuned up twice. After 180K I stopped passing the MD Emission test but who cares the car is safe and reliable. I drive almost 100 miles a day for work and she still moves great. I have done several creative things including putting leather seats in from another Maxima, better radio from another Maxima AC controls and power window & door switches. Just a great Car!

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  The Car is a Lemon - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By pcappello - September 29 - 5:24 am

  Since April of 2011 I have had my car into Nissan for auto lights not functioning my ipod turns on when the audio is off and the electronic driver seat moves forward by itself. This has been reported and supposedly services more than 10 times already happening. Saturday all my dashboard settings changed by themselves and my trunk would not open even though my engine was on. On Sunday my engine locked and my smart key nor the key would unlock the steering column. I was out of state &had to have it towed to a dealer where they claim it is all due to an undersized battery. hello- it is the factory battery. DONT Buy this car nor any NISSAN as they do not stand behind their service not the

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  11 yrs - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By afrey - September 28 - 9:13 pm

  My first 4wd. I live in the SW and have gone many interesting and wild places. No engine or starting problems after 131000 . Two AC problems, cracked lines fixed by dealer under warranty. Radio lite out after 5 yrs. Acceleration is wimpy but sufficient. It is now using a little oil. 1qt/2000 miles. No 4wd, suspension or drive line problems.

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  Follow Up to June17th review. - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By JET - September 28 - 8:06 am

  In my original review, I mentioned that the brakes produced a strange feel just before a complete stop and immediately after acceleration. I took my truck in to the local Az Nissan dealer to have the oil changed and to check the condition of the brakes. I also wanted them to check the drivers side sun visor because it seemed loose and does not stay against the windshield. When I went to pick up the truck, the service manager told me that these conditions were observed with other like vehicles on the lot and that the condition was considered as being normal. If you purchase one of these 2009 Frontiers and expect the dealer to "fix" these conditions, think again. They were no help at all.

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  Beware of Nissan Corp issued TSBs - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Marie Reyes - September 28 - 7:43 am

  I never thought I would be a minivan owner but I saw the style of the quest..I fell in love with it. I read reviews vs other minivans and all seemed great on the Quest. Shortly after my warranty expired I started to notice a whining noise coming from the engine. When I took it into the dealership they kept it over night,charged me $100 to diagnose it. I was floored to find out that the estimate to replace my timing chain both primary and secondary along with the guides was going to cost $3,000!! I took it to for another opinion and at that time I was informed that Nissan KNEW this was a problem for years and has a Technical Service Bulletin out. I had never even heard about a TSB!??