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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  Maxima rules - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By drjvet - March 31 - 12:33 pm

  I have owned a Toyota Camry for 5 years, but when I decided it was time to buy another car, the Camry could not hold a candle to the 07 Maxima SL. The Maxima is fun to drive, gets a lot of looks from other drivers and the CVT is fantastic. The BlueTooth phone system is absolutely the envy of all my passengers. Most passengers are impressed with all the luxury amenities for the price. The acceleration is powerful. I have approximately 600 miles on the car and have averaged 23 mpg in the city. Also test drove a Volvo S60 and the Maxima was more comfortable in both ride and interior comfort. This Maxima rules the road in both performance and style. Watch out Camry.

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  40K Miles - No Problems - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By kayyn - March 31 - 12:00 pm

  Just thought I would post a review letting potential buyers of used 2008 Altima Coupes, know, that after 40,000 miles the car has had no problems for me. I bought the 3.5 SE with CVT transmission, on 6-7-2007 fully loaded. The car has had every maintenance interval done. (oil changed every 3K miles, and whatever else a certified Nissan mechanic, said needed to be done) The only problem I had was a bad valve stem on the tire, NOT caused by driving behavior, stems are steel. Otherwise the car has seemed to run very well. It is very quiet while idling, inside still looks brand new, overall everything has held up well with no major problems in the first 40K mile

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  Please Save yourself a big headache - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Anthony valencia - March 31 - 4:01 am

  I have 18k miles in my 2013 altima sv. And is been tge worse nightmare to have this car. Specially NMAC nissan corporation does not help you at all once you start having problems with your car. I started having problems with it since 2 thousand miles and nissan corp. keep saying everything is normal. I had plenty of new cars. And NISSAN is the worse car ive ever drove. WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE and they never want to help once you start having problems. AGAIN. IM ONLY AT 18k miles. And is been in the dealer repair department 3-4 times already.

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  Very happy with the Altima - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Doug - March 31 - 1:23 am

  The 4 cyl is surprisingly responsive and the CVT makes it so you dont even feel the car shift. Lots of interior room. We traded in an 02 Passat which had lots of interior space, but the Altima actually has more. We have two small children and everyone fits in the car very comfortably. Extremely comfortable leather seats. Controls are easily accessible and lots of compartments for your stuff. The dash layout is very nice as well.

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  Room for a 6 footer - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Andy - March 30 - 3:16 pm

  The room in this vehicle is amazing. My 6 ft son has more than enough room in the rear seat even when the front seat is full back. The back seat also reclines for even more comfort. The upgraded seating is comfortable for long trips. My wife no longer has to "fall" into a vehicle or "crawl" out of it, a real bonus for arthritic folks. Wide footprint, excellent handling. Didnt think I would buy anything other than traditional american vehicle until I drove this!

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  I wouldnt let my enemies drive a Murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By glastonbury - March 30 - 2:18 pm

  I dont work for any competitor of Nissan. I did own a Infinity that was a great car. The Nissan Murano is the worst vehicle in terms of reliability I have owned ever (I have owned quite a few). Over 17k in repairs over 9 years (3 to 4 times what I would spend on either the infinity or Hondas I have owned - yes, I adjusted for inflation). Do not buy a Murano or you will be very sorry.

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  1 month. So far so good - 2016 Nissan Pathfinder
  By lee stewart - March 30 - 6:04 am

  We needed a SUV to tow a boat and a 3rd row seat for our family. The Pathfinder provided all of these things. We got a great deal on a 2015 with Platinum trim. After a month of driving we are still enjoying all the features. I realy like the back up camera and 360 degree view it offers. Towing has been fine.

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  Why dont they still make them like this? - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By Royale W. Cheese - March 30 - 4:26 am

  This has been a fantastic vehicle since I bought it in late 04. Bought it at 90k or so, no problems at 137k. The only issues I have had from it were the ones I discovered on leaving the used car lot: an oil leak from the main seal and some electrical issues that the previous owner tried to fix himself. Those have been the only things I have had to fix or have fixed since driving the vehicle, apart from oil and brakes. It got over 40 mpg highway when "new"; now it is closer to 30 mpg, but still not bad. Plenty of power for driving in hilly areas, AC blows cold enough for this Alabamian (in Seattle), hauls LOTS of stuff. Very solid little car.

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  Nissan Armada LE 4X4 - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Fish - March 30 - 2:56 am

  So far this has been an outstanding vehicle. My wife and I chose it to replace our Ford Expedition and have not been disappointed. The only thing you have to realize is that performance (7.0 sec. 0-60 mph acceleration and a 9,000 lb. towing capacity with the 4X4) comes at a price, in this case fuel economy. Do not expect to actually achieve greater than 11-12 in town. Havent sone an extended trip on the highway so I cant comment on the highway fuel economy, but realize this is one of the few full-size SUVs built that offers a five-speed automatic vs. the standard four.

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  good all rounder - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By webster - March 30 - 2:00 am

  vehicle has been reliable with the exception of the window motors. i have replaced 3 of the 4. i am willing the last one to fail prior to the warranty running out. fuel mileage is dismal, acceleration is poor, sunroof is useless, and ride over bumps is awful. then again, it is a true SUV based off a truck, not a car dressed as an SUV. other than these few shortcomings and problems, the truck has been easy to live with.