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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  Checking in-passed 100K - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By chuckfromli - October 19 - 3:03 pm

  Maybe I am reviewing this thing too often, LOL. Just wanted to check in as it passed 100K a month ago. Havent had to put any money into it lately, but did put about $2500 into it in 2007-2008. It got new wheel bearings all around, a new pulley, new timing belt and water pump, new exhaust, sway bar bushings, and the differential fluid changed. That was a lot of money for two years, but it hadnt really needed much until it got to be about 7 years old and had 80K on it or so. I think that pretty good. Any old car is going to need repairs. Also, I retired and now I realize that the gas mileage stinks, LOL! All those years I was driving mostly highway and getting 16. Now its all suburban and 11

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  Shell Be Missed - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Long-time driver - October 16 - 5:20 pm

  After 12 years and 208,000 miles, the old girl finally gave up the ghost (timing chain and more - would have cost almost three times the cars worth to fix). But over that time, I only had two major repairs - one involving the oxygen sensor right after the warranty expired (of course) and another a few years ago. And I drove this car everywhere. The visors fell off, the headliner was drooping, the bumper was dinged and a tail light had electrical issues - and still she drove like a dream. No get-up-and go, but thats not what this cars about. If you find one in good cosmetic shape, buy it for your kid - great starter car, even 12 years later.

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  Not So Great Experience - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Denise - October 15 - 5:43 pm

  I purchased my vehicle, everything was great until I rolled the drivers side window down to experience a sound like breaks scrapping. Took it in for service, they addmited not ever hearing of this issue before, they called Nissan tech support, they advised to replace the door seals. Today is day 6, they told me vehicle is ready for pick up and that sound I am hearing is characteristic of that vehicle, huh??? I contacted Nissan Consumer affairs still waiting... Make sure if your looking you roll the window down and listen for any strange sounds. In my case, it would happen at 50mph. In addition the dash digital display had to be replaced, can you say lemon

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  Nice design, sketchy execution - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Doug Blas - October 14 - 7:06 am

  The Altima is a great car. When weighed against the Accord, though, there are several shortcomings including: Five speed auto, standard ABS, heated mirrors, arm rest extension, and 10000 mile oil change intervals, and interior materials, to name a few. I bought the Nissan because of the dealership and because its not as common as the Accord. The Altima has more power and (seemingly) more room plus features the Accord doesnt have like BOSE and a trip computer. I can recommend this car, but buyers should take both for a ride!

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  Awsome car off the line - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By daaaaaaan - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I really love this car and dont regret getting it at all. Kinda wish mine had a sun roof but its all good. Extremely fun car to drive. Excellent handling, acceleration, and braking. Dealership sucked, but I cant hold that against the vehicle. Ive gotten tons of compliments on this car. This car is no joke at all.

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  Solid truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By Russ1999 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Always been very dependable, reasonably comfortable, and extremely practical. Never a problem. Top reliability.

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  not bad, but not perfect either - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By sales driver - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 2002 2.5s in sept2002 Nice car but some quirks, burns oil, interior is a little on cheap side. Some problems including: ride gets a little mushy-maybe the tires, steering wheel shakes and pulls alot while braking, crankshaft sensor went out- luckily car was at home and still under warranty-the dealer said this is a known problem, worst of all a very noisey interior especially at highway speeds - OK for normal low mileage usage around town. Cold weather starting. check out the nissan website for volunteer recall work, there are about six (esp ice crystals forming in fuel line) ask about the crankshaft sensor!

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  I love nissans - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Chrisderryberry - October 13 - 3:33 pm

  This is my 3rd Pathfinder. I love them. The purchase and the ownership are great and was great with all three SUVs.

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  My 2001 Frontier - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By trucklover - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Been a little over a year, and a little over 17,000 miles. 4 cylinder, auto king cab xe... I have to have a truck for work...and I dont have lots of money. The Frontier fits the bill. It hasnt faultered once, carries dirt, landfill, and all the stuff I need it to, and it looks "funky". I live in FLA, and its very, very hot now. Im amazed at how cold the ac is. Its not fast, wasnt meant to be...it doesnt corner well, and that doesnt matter to me. Little kid in on my block calls it "future truck." Good title, cause I plan on keeping this truck well into the future.

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  Altima User - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Nissanuser - October 13 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our first Nissan Maxima in 1981. We found it so dependable and trouble free that we then purchased 3 more Maximas over the next 20 years. On all of these cars we have experienced no repairs during the 100K miles and few after that. Earlier this year it was time to upgrade our 1996 Maxima, but found the 2002 Altima with a much better looking exterior body, yet basically the same size of car and power under the hood. Hopefully the 2002 Altima will prove to be as reliable as the Maxima.