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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  Go with a 2015 altima, i found out until then - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By CraigBasciano - April 6 - 5:23 am

  I bought a used 2012 in may 2016 with 46,000 miles, they ripped me off bad, i didnt understand why it was so slow, drove like a truck, the 2.5 uses a lot of gas and handles so poor, i ask the dealer today and they said up til 2015 it weighed 2500 pounds more then it should, that explains why i hate driving it, you wont enjoy it at all

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  Deal gone wrong - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By Crystal Williams - March 31 - 9:43 pm

  I have the 2012 rogue and my transmission done gone bad. Corporate offered no help to get it fix because Ive gone over 60000 miles. I have had my car for 3 yrs with 0 miles when I purchased it. I am so done with Nissan. I have to put out almost 4 thousand for a transmission. I think Nissan need to recall these transmissions

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  Transmission - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By John - March 30 - 2:28 pm

  I own a 2015 Pathfinder and 2014 Altima 3.5SL loaded Two transmissions in altima and its still has issues, jerks between 17-32 mph and 59-70 first transmission 30 days after purchase and multiple visits to dealer! Would stay away! I also own a 2012 and 2000 Altima both have 100k plus never a issue

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  An accident waiting to happen - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By FERN - March 28 - 10:06 am

  Bought our Nissan Altima band new 2015. When we were not using it on a day to day basis, it was great - fuel economy and comfort wise but when we started using it on a daily basis it started to have problems. At 3000 miles, steering pump gave up on my husband while he was driving. Took it to dealership. Dealership was proactive and got the steering pump fixed. Car had to stay for four days but it was okay they gave us a loaner anyway. Now barely two weeks after getting the car back, I was driving to work and the steering wheel gave up on me almost causing an accident. I know the dealership is gonna do the best they can to fix the car but I do not feel safe in that car anymore. This has happened twice, a Nissan truck and now a Nissan car. I dont think I can rely on the brand anymore. Ours might be an isolated case but hey Nissan, step up on checking the safety of your vehicles when they leave manufacturing. I paid for safety more importantly than comfort - I want to get to work as a nurse and not as a patient.

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  Poor not a family vehicle. - 2015 Nissan NV Passenger
  By Miriam - March 12 - 12:50 pm

  I will not recommend this as a family vehicle. Ventilation is very poor especially in the back, your kids will sweat like a pig.

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  CVT is defective, should be recalled.. - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Andrew - February 10 - 5:10 pm

  Bought the car from a used car dealership and initially had 63k on it in Sept. 2015. Drove great for about 10k miles and then started doing weird things on me which almost felt like the car was choking out from a stop or a rolling acceleration at lower speeds. Got it looked at by goodyear down the road from me and the recommended that i get a fuel injection cleaning, which did seem to help for a little while until it started doing it again a couple thousand miles later. A few thousand miles later my engine light comes on and come to find out it was my cvt transmission all along. Worst purchase of my life hands down, had the car 8 months and put about 15k on it and now it needs a $3500+ dollar repair (as well as many others) to keep it on the road. Nissan to this point has not been helpful in any way even though they know that this is a very common problem on a very poorly manufactured design, would tell anyone and everyone to steer clear of this vehicle with the cvt transmission.

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  6 year review - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By Evgueni Minev - January 29 - 2:50 pm

  It is really comfortable and easy to drive car, but up until 80K. After 80 K, nothing but problems. We bought the extended warranty, so the cost is minimal. The van is at the shop frequently. The dealers excuse - you have driven 105K, what do you expect??? Transmission died at 89K. Towed. Solenoid valve at 91K. Replaced. Engine sensor died at 105K. Non stop at the dealership. It has been serviced at the same dealership since purchase. Luckily, we still have a year left on the warranty, we will trade it in as soon as it expires.

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  dont buy it - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By andrew - January 24 - 4:16 am

  I read all the reviews here and I am in the same situation,, the wors car Ive have it.. I bout mine with 74 mi. after 3 moths driving many issues appers, problem with the body valvu, shifts, slip, sensors, wow I got headed, with this car,, after fixed a problem.. weeks later comes another issues.... beautifull but the worst inside

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  Not for Montana driving - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Shelli Roufley - January 7 - 7:58 am

  I have driven front wheel drive little cars in Mt. for almost 30 years, putting on at least 30,000 miles a year. This is the worst car I have ever driven in snow and ice. Regretting this purchase. :( Update: I have had this car a year, and its falling apart.

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  Nisan Versa 2012 Sucks - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Rose - January 6 - 8:20 am

  It is worse car ever. Too much of maintenance required.