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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  Average Small Car, but reliable - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By mags - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car new, so far im pleased. Havent had any problems with it unlike my previous 2 cars. Powerful lil car for a V4. The 180watt sound system is amazing. For a small car though, it really eats up gas. For an automatic u can really tell when it is switching gears cause u feel it big time. Itll shake or jerk itself which is a real annoyance. Overall though, its a reliable little car. Needs some improvements though.

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  LOVING my first SUV - 2012 Nissan Murano
  By jshankman - June 2 - 1:28 am

  As my kids got bigger I knew my 8 year-old 2-door Solara convertible needed to be replaced. I was looking at the Toyota Venza and Nissan Murano and felt on the major specs, they were very similar. The Muranos luxurious interior was what sealed the deal for me. I got the LE with the Platinum package and while its not as fun to drive as a 2-door sports car, it does just fine on highways and locally in terms of acceleration, cruising, and stopping. It feels SOLID with no shake as trucks whoosh by me. The kids LOVE all the room and the well placed rear vents. Husband loves the toys!

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  26K Miles, Not 1 Problem - 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By lionnation - June 1 - 8:15 pm

  Purchased a silver/black 2009 NAH loaded w/every option Dec 09; sticker was just under $35K. After dealer, manufacturer, and tax breaks, paid about $26.5K! The car is solid, comfortable, supportive for a 62", 200-lb frame driver. I still cant believe the great acceleration. And the gas mileage is getting better. Just got back from a trip which is optimal for maximizing gas mileage, averaging 55 MPH, got 44.5 MPG on 108 mile trip! The NAV is good, but not great. The BOSE sound system is very good. I had an 06 Civic Hybrid, which I liked but it was too hard on my back (old lumbar injury), so upgraded to this heavier hybrid, and sometimes I feel like its a Cadillac in terms of ride quality.

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  Nice car for the money - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By 88vette - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Have only had the car about a month at this point but am very pleased with our purchase. We were ready to buy a Passat but found this car actually had more room and was several thousands less than the VW.

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  Frustrated with our new Pathfinder Platinum - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By happygma - June 1 - 7:27 am

  We were so excited to finally purchase our new Pathfinder. Three days later it started sputtering. We took it in to the dealer and they said it was the tourque converter, it took 2 weeks to get the part in. When we got it back it was still doing the same thing. We took it back in and they said it was the transmission. They replaced the transmission with a "re-manufactured" part. The dealership has been fantastic, but trying to get through to the executive Nissan office has been a nightmare. We are really afraid of what is to come.

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  Nissan with a lot of electrical problems! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By rizeabove - June 1 - 5:40 am

  TPMS replaced new computer for sensors. Hit door locks and occasionally the stereo cuts off. Alarm system when locking used to beep horn and flash lights now just locks (checked all fuses and replaced, no fix). Gas door jammed and bent from wind rushing behind it now I have to use a credit card to open sometimes! I have 25000 miles on car. It is a 6 speed and occasionally on steep grades inclines or descending the car will make rattling noises and Ill feel slight vibration in clutch. Dealer cant reproduce the problem!

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  Good Car for the Money - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By PirateJake - May 31 - 6:20 am

  Lots of headroom for tall people, peppy SR20 engine, sure it rattles and is noisy but it cost next to nothing and is pretty quick for what it is. 105k miles no real problems. Low quality paint. I have had it since the showroom floor and plan to keep it for quite a while longer. Excellent college student car. I commute into Minneapolis every day in it. Civic reliability with Saturn prices. Go for the 5 speed in the charcoal grey or black. Replace the Firestone tires with some Yokohamas. I hit a deer years ago and the car still runs like the day it was new. Five stars for the money.

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  Second Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - May 31 - 5:30 am

  I bought a 2004 Titan S/E crew cab and loved it. I didnt use it in the winter. I live in Maine and cars rust fast up here. I left it in the garage for the winter. I sold it after 6 months because it wasnt getting used. I bought a 2005 Nissan Frontier in April of 2005. It was an L/E crew cab 4x4 and I liked it a lot. The problem...I owned a Titan before a Frontier! Like going from a trailer to a house! After 2 months, I traded the Frontier in for a 2005 Titan crew cab 4x4 S/E with tow package, Off road package and Preferred package. Now Im happy!!!

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  Change the Oil and 4 New Tires - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By 280zx - May 31 - 2:43 am

  I have had a 2004 AWD LS for 13 months and 12,000 miles. Expect to buy new tires--often. Either the Murano has alignment problems or the 18" Goodyear LS tires are junk--and I couldnt find another tire manufacturer that makes the same size tires. I bought my first tire at 11,000 miles and will replace the others in a few thousand miles. This SUV: will lock you out of the car when it feels like it, wheel hops over highway divider strips, has power, is comfortable, looks different, generally handles well, does not rattle unless you leave the seatbelts unlocked, and can get over 20 mpg. I have owned 4 Nissans but will not buy another because of the tires stocked on the Murano.

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  Starting to get concerned.... - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By AnnaB - May 30 - 6:53 pm

  My husband and I were looking for an Suv/crossover that got good mpg and was functional for work or family. We love the look of the Rogue and have an 08 Altima that has been great. We bought this in Feb 2010 and noticed alot of road noise as the weeks went on...especially in the rain. I am 510" and my husband is 62 so the rear view mirror has become a real issue because of the blind spot it creates. My biggest concern has been the vibration and hesitation when accelerating from a stop or onto the freeway. I had it looked at and was told it is the CVT and is a "normal" function. Then, a few days ago, I started it and the motor started revving without warning...just a fluke? or a sign?