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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  Noisy CVT - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By mikej17 - May 23 - 10:39 am

  I am regretting buying this car.The seats sold it for me and the car is beautiful,but on any accelerating the CVT whines and groans.

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  Tacoma Killer! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Paul - May 23 - 8:50 am

  I love the Nissan Frontier! I have had other Nissan trucks in the past and test drove the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, but the Frontier tops them all. Nissan did their homework and learned a lot from the Titan. The powerful 265hp 4.0 V6 engine pulls hard to 60mph+. The 5 speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and never hunts for the right gear. There is a solid graceful feel to the chasis and it handles corners very well. The build quality is excellent and the cab is very quiet and roomy. This truck drives and feels much like its big brother, the Titan. The Rockford Fosgate package has a great sound, it is a must! The quality of interior materials are very good. This truck has become a major player in the midsize class! THANK YOU NISSAN!

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  Never again - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Steve - May 23 - 3:56 am

  This was my second Pathfinder after having a 1992. Not the same company anymore. Corporate does not stand by their product. Exhaust broke at the flange which is common Im told after just 4 years! Corporate would not pick up any of the cost and Im stuck with a $850 service bill. O2 sensors and check end light is a nightmare. Rims do not make a good seal on the tires. Faulty struts on this year model. Bose cd changer broke twice.

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  What a car! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Neil - May 22 - 2:00 pm

  I traded my 99 A6 for this Altima and have ZERO regrets. Handling is similar. The Altima with the 2.5 4-banger eats the Audi for lunch. Amazing power for a 4 cyl. The suspension is just stiff enough to feel sporty, yet does not sacrifice comfort. Ive been actively trying to find something to find fault with, but have no complaints. Excellent value for the price. The fit and finish are top notch. Even the stock sound system was good enough that I didnt go for the Bose.

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  Im not a happy camper! - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By GBINFL - May 22 - 10:40 am

  Took 3 tries to get SES (check engine light) to stay off (bad evaporative purge solenoid?). The drivers seat pops/clicks when turning left, the drivers door has an intermittent rattle, the steering wheel shimmys when stopping hard and fast (front rotors?), a fastener is missing from the plastic motor undertray, and the rear engine mount creaks when starting out (had it up on a lift when trailer hitch was installed - found the creak location with a stethoscope). Mileage markedly worse than 03 I traded in. CVT has not won me over yet. Back to the dealer again today. Lastly, incredibly cheesy and cheap feeling door handles. Yikes!

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  One of the best purchases Ive made! - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By gs451 - May 22 - 7:43 am

  Two years ago, I had been off of a my Lexus GX lease and wanted something bigger. I was interested in the new However, I just happened to stop by the Nissan dealer to look at the Pathfinder and fell in love with the Armada. It has everything that is needed in a vehicle of its caliber. The rear parking sonar is standard on the Armada while toptional on other large SUVs (should be standard on every large car for safety reasons). But its been a true gem to drive and very reliable. Lease is about to end soon so I am looking into getting another Armada.I would definitely recommend this car to anyone looking for an SUV. Poor gas mileage, but it is reliable, safe and has good resale value later.

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  2014 Pathfinder SUCKS!!!! - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By src2006 - May 21 - 9:34 pm

  Bought a 2014 Model from Micheal Jordan Nissan in Durham, NC in Oct. 2013! Was told by sales person that the transmission "sudder" issue was fixed on the 2014s. At 1500 miles the sudder issue started happening at around 20 MPH. Took it back they said needed a new transmission. Work with Nissan corp. for 2 weeks and they would not give me a new vehicle or my money back!! Would anyne in their right mind want a brand new SUV with 1500 miles on it with the transmission already replace? DONT THINK SO!! Im stuck with this piece of crap because cant trade it and will lose $6000.00 on it and differently cant sell it. Nissan stinks and NEVER AGAIN will I buy another one!!! Honda or Toyota!!

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  My Second Murano - LOVE IT! - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By tommyguy10 - May 21 - 1:26 pm

  I just traded my 2003 Murano for a 2007. I was very disappointed with my 2003 because after 100,500 miles, the "pressure sensor" in the transmission started to go out so they told me the only fix was a new transmission ($5200!). There was nothing wrong with the CVT, just the sensor. I was very upset over this and said I would never purchase another Murano. Well, after driving all of the 2007 cars, I could not find anything close to the Murano. So, I bought a new one. Looks like they have ironed out all of the kinks. I am sure they have fixed the pressure sensor issue. If not, there will be tons of screaming customers before me.

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  best 6 cylinder engine-- Ha Ha! - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By D. Griffin - May 20 - 3:46 pm

  Regular check engine light 1 "we had the gas cap on wrong". 2 "we overfilled the gas tank. 3 A bad ignition coil $115 4 fuel injection harness was routed wrong $0 5 "other 5 coils are bad" $358 3, 4, & 5 were a 3 week span. (42k on the car). I understand that the maxima has an ignition coil at each cylinder (in lieu of spark plugs), but shouldnt it be better? No one at the Nissan dealership even seemed Apologetic.

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  Historic 1995 NissanMaximaQX performance - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By fnaaijkens - May 20 - 9:13 am

  I have purchased one for Hfl 32000, now EUR15000 in 1997. It had had one owner for a year after being in the showroom for a year. Bought it at 69,000 km (40k miles). I have owned it for 12 years, and the only thing to break down was the dashboard clocks. About after every 350,000 km (200,000 mi) So, I have driven it for 1,300,000 km (800,000 mi) at it still drives like a modern 1-year- old car. It is unbelievable. Because I wanted an automatic, I started out with a Primera for 5 months, then got this one when I was 27 year. Now Im 40 years and still driving it! Amazing.