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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  I really, really like it - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Linda G - September 3 - 6:46 am

  I purchased the SL AWD with the dual moonroof, leather, premium and technology packages, wanted the LE, but couldnt justify the extra cash. Its been 9 months, and I must say, the car has grown on me. In the last month Ive seen so many 09 Muranos on the road, the word must have gotten out. I must admit it was kind of nice being the only one around.

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  Best Value - 2015 Nissan Murano
  By luvmurano - September 3 - 2:10 am

  Had my 2015 Murano for over a month now and this vehicle lives up to all of Nissans advertising. Seats are comfortable on long trips, driving position is great, and interior is nice and quiet. Handling is great and of special note is the acceleration. Although Edmunds claim it doesnt have the speed, I beg to differ. Here in Texas we have the shortest on-ramps and let me tell you I can merge into traffic at 70+. Coming back from a road trip ran into some rare snow and the vehicle handled well. Still havent figured out all the bells and whistles yet. Only drawback is the front left window shield pillar. Kinda blocks your view when making left turns. Other than that, awesome vehicle.

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  Look out the Nissan is coming - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Amit - September 3 - 2:00 am

  THe new ALTIMA is way better than any other car in its class. Pickup , accelatation and the comfort of the Altima shouldnt be compared with the CAmry. Its like 10 timeas faster then the cars in its class.

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  I tested them all ... this is the one! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By B. Mullins - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Ideally, I was looking for a car that was fun to drive, 6 cylinders, comfortable, with a higher level of features (luxury) than I had previously. I drove many cars: camry, accord, millenia, some SUVs. So I went and drove the Altima. This car is fun, responsive, comfortable, and while not as quiet as a camry, it is certainly much quieter then my other cars and I consider it VERY acceptable at highway speeds. Altima has won the North American Automobile of the Year. It is a well deserved award for a sports sedan in the mid $20,000s. Test drive this car after the others and you should feel the differences.

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  Heres the thing... - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By depmodealex - September 2 - 5:10 am

  People complain about reliability..heres what I do. The tranny/radiator problem? I spent $200 bucks and PREVENTED the $6,000 failure by replacing the radiator myself. The problem with the secondary timing chains making a LOUD whining noise when you accelerate? Rather than pay Nissan $2000 to fix it, I paid $110 AT the dealer for the parts (which they already have packaged together because its such a common problem with their VQ engines...which are in over 10 million vehicles, so theyre NEVER going to do a recall) and fixed it myself. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Spending $400 bucks is better than $7000. Maintain your cars people, dont [non-permissible content removed] when you can prevent this

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  Overall a Good Vehicle - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Christina - September 2 - 2:23 am

  We looked at many different vehicles and thought the Rogue had the best ride. Very smooth. Feels like youre driving a car versus a truck. AWD is great in the winter. The only thing so far I am NOT HAPPY about is the rusted muffler. I only purchased the car 8 months ago and already the muffler is rusting! This started only a few months after the car was purchased. This upsets me b/c you can see the rusty muffler. It doesnt even look like the car is new anymore because of that. Asked the dealership about it, and they blamed it on the weather. I might have accepted that excuse if it went through a few more winters (and not 4 months worth) before rusting.

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  Rock solid car - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By CTmaxima - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought 1 yr old with 40k, 10 yrs later with 210k all I have had to do was replace rubber, pads, the occasional caliper, and the starter. Switches and gauges all still functioning normally,but intermittently lose console lighting for AC/Radio and the antenna motor died. Fun to drive with plenty of power, I only wish I had gotten the manual transmission.

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  ijustlovemycube - 2010 Nissan Cube
  By KCsMom - September 2 - 2:00 am

  After doing some researched, comparing with Scion XB & Kia Soul, I thought I didnt like the shape of the Cubes back/butt, I thought of a bumble bee. But when I test drove it,I couldnt stop thinking about it when I got home. The next day went back to the dealer & decided to purchased the Cube for better gas mileage, design/style, price & lower APR, durability & reliability, I hope-since this is our 1st Nissan (like our 2 other dependable Toyotas)to mention some advantages over the other 2 I considered. I am very happy w/ this car, it feels like Im driving a small SUV, smooth ride & handling. My son loves to ride it,too as he can recline the back seat.

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  LE 4WD - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By zechs220 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Currently have about 92k. I love this truck. I have owned it for 4 years. I beat the crap out of this truck. Smashed it twice, and i drive it like i stole it. Never had any problems till recently. Catalytic converter on Drivers side went out on it at 83K just out of emissions warranty. Nissan wanted $1200 i did it myself on the ground for about $250. Now if having some sort of vibration coming from the transmission, almost like the torque converter lockup is not engaging correctly. My Gibson Exhaust rusted through and i ended up puttin a banks exhaust on it. I bought it for the power, boy does this truck move. Ive raced with it and ive run it through the mud. Cant beat a Frontier.

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  Bad trade in value/bad gas mileage - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Julian Martinez - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought 2008 Titan new paid $ 28,000 for it 1 1/2 yrs later with only 14,000 miles I tried to trade it in for a new truck they offered me $ 13,200 trade in,what an insult. I wish they would have told me this when I purchased the truck. Wish they would have said when you come back to trade your truck in you will get a big screwing.Truck depreciated $14,800 in 1 1/2 yrs wow. Worst fuel mileage ever. Bad resale/trade in value. Wish I could talk to a Nisan representative.