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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  A van worth a look - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Nhan TTT - June 29 - 2:00 am

  We’ve recently purchased this van after looking at all the others. This one definitely caught our (the wife & I) eyes. The look is great, the engine is very able, the styling is sleek and very different from the others. We’ve had it for about two months now and it is truly fun to drive. The ride is pleasant and the handling on the road and around turns is awsome. This our first “loaded” (w/o DVD (decide we’ll install aftermarket) and navigation system (really don’t need)) vehicle. All those little extras are well worth it.

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  Firsst time owner - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Sonoma - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle in September 03. Its fun to drive and has a great sound system even if its not the Bose system. I like the way the car drives and handles, it seems to grow on you each day you drive it. I dont like the way it defrost the window. It seems to take longer than it should. Also, I have a hard time adjusting the temp trying to make the inside comfortable. Overall Im please with it, espescially because of the end of year great deal I got.

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  Long Term Quest Update - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By irloyal - June 28 - 10:23 pm

  After having owned this Nissan Quest for 3 years and 36,000 miles I felt a long term review would be helpful to others. Pros: The Vans styling is still unique and turns heads. The engine runs as strong as the day purchased and is plenty potent for any type of driving. Only routine manintenance has been reqired for the most part, but exceptions are noted in the con section. The dealer ships have been very good about handling warranty issues, and they have increased the warranty to 60,000 miles at no charge. Cons: Horn Stuck. Over-sensitive tire pressure sensors. Replacement tires require new size unless you buy Goodyear. Overall Rating: B Overall Value: B+ Buy Again? Yes

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  7 times to the dealership to get 2 items repaired - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By nissansucks12 - June 28 - 2:38 pm

  I have had serveral new cars in my life time, but never a Nissan, thought I would give them a shot, bad bad bad bad move, a simple replacement of the 2 rear speakers turned into 5 trips to the dealership for one reason or another, simple tire rotation, left one of my lug nuts in the rim. These are simple items to repair or replace and it seems like this dealership cant get it right, but my car has only 5000 in 7 months, these items should not have been broken to begin with, horrible horrilbe car, buy a Ford, never had an issue with any of them, stay away from NISSAN! I also have 2 friends that work at the plant there, again stay away!!!!!

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  Problems! - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By PJM - June 28 - 3:40 am

  I have had problems with this vehicle since the day we drove it home from the dealer. After 4 months of trying to deal with Nissan, we have yet to have anyone actually take responsibility to fix or replace this car. We have waited weeks for phone calls. We have a brand new car that we are afraid to drive and nobody seems to know how to fix it. Nissan is also ignoring the service dept at the dealership attempting to repair this car. Guess the next step is to hire a lawyer.

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  Great car!!!! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By great car - June 28 - 2:23 am

  I am a courier that drives 300 miles a day on route. I have put 104,000 miles on the car in a little over a year (it now has 117,000). I have never had any problem with the car! It still runs like new.

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  Reliable - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By crotch666 - June 27 - 11:53 pm

  Purchased this car in 2009 for $6,000 and it has and probably will be one of the best cars I will ever have. The only time it ever broke down once on me was in 2015 when the alternator went out. That was a quick and easy fix, and it was back on the road in no-time. I maintenanced this car regularly and it definitely gave back to me. I was in 2 wrecks in it, I would considered mild to bad. Someone rear-ended me extremely hard and the damage to the car was minimal. The other one someone pulled out in front of me and I t-boned them. The bumper was destroyed, but that was it. The other car was totaled. Extremely safe car and very reliable. The gas mileage could be better, but I love this car regardless.

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  Updated Long Term Review - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Since 2006 -NM - June 27 - 1:26 pm

  I purchased my Xterra in 2006 new from the lot. I wanted an SUV because I was moving to New Mexico and needed a vehicle that had very good utility, was great in the backcountry, and can get through snow on uncleared roads. My road is never cleared in the winter. Ive owned it for the entire time. While some of the critiques Ive read in the reviews have some merit, ie. hard plastics inside, and gas mileage, on the whole its been very good. I replaced the tires at about 50,000 miles. The Drivers seat started making noises and was successfully fixed by the dealer in Santa Fe (good service dept!). The fuel pump was replaced under warranty before 36000 miles.

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  Love My Cube - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By Bec55 - June 27 - 12:03 pm

  I have owned my Cube since October 2009. We immediately took it on a thousand mile trip from mid NC to Ohio and back. It was great. Lots of room for me, the hubby and 2 dogs. I wouldnt change a thing. Road noise is not an issue. It has no more road noise than my 2003 Corolla. It drives great on the interstate as well as in town. I am getting 32.5 mpg consistently. While in Ohio, my sister liked mine so much, she has since purchased one as well and loves it as much as I love mine. My husband loves the head and leg room.

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  Love it!! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By kate - June 27 - 11:20 am

  This car was purchased after my 97 Civic was rear-ended and totaled. My family owns 4 Nissans, and we have an 03 altima, so naturally i wanted what i was familiar with. This car was a no-brainer buy, and i love driving it. The radio is great, brakes, steering etc are also phenomenal. I recommend this car to everyone!