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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  mone pit - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By redfur1977 - January 7 - 9:01 pm

  This has been the best and worst I have ever owned. The car handles great. Gets 30 mpg at 70mph. Wasnt expensive. Beautiful to look at. But it has been the most un reliable piece I have ever had the displease of owning. Bought the car with 100k. Two weeks after buying it transmision rebuild($4400). Then broke the cv joints because the transmission stressed them slamming into gear before the rebuild. Them a complete suspension rebuild. Now it need timing chain guides. Memory seats never worked. I have had over $8000 in repairs to this car and now..... The transmission is goin out again at 160k. Cant wait to get me an american car. FIrst and last Jap car I will own.

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  2002 Black on Black SE 6M - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By 02 Black on Black 6m - January 7 - 4:56 pm

  From my other review. 2002 Black on Black SE 6M 3/17/08. OK! What I stated before still stand, but we need to slam Nissan or the horrible, just horrible OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. This car does consumes oil. It will run normal for the most part and if your not careful and check the the oil level you can and will do damage to the motor. I keep a 5qt bottle of castrol high milage. After 200 mi of driving or so I have to add a qt or two of oil. Thats right! Nissan wont admit to this problem. dont bother with synthetic if it consumes oil. The burn off is costly with that oil. I tried just about everything excepting changing the engine. Good luck....

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  Transmission. .. - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Danyel H - January 7 - 3:54 pm

  New Transmission at 52000 Miles. Should have a transmission recall.

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  Sorry in Reisterstown - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Sorry in Reisterstow - January 6 - 9:23 pm

  Great looking, handling, performance,but reliability and quality of build questionable. Purchased July 2009. As of October 23, 2009 had to return for leaking water into interior from moonroof and again for battery failure. Whats next? Plan to trade-in for a Honda and take a lost. At least I wont need to worry about traveling any distance because of the possible next break down. Although the dealer repaired the cause of the leak, it refused to replace the wet padding unless an odor developed and only charged the completely dead battery.

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  Good except the gas millage - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Darien - January 6 - 10:36 am

  For the most part Im pleased with the car. The suspension is passable on bumpy city roads, but could use work on future models. The gas millage is terrible for a car this size. At best I get 330 miles on a tank of gas city driving. Nissan really needs to improve that to make it worth buying. Based on gas millage alone, you might as well get an Altima if you have the finances. Other than that, no major complaints.

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  After 35,000 miles, Im selling - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Joe - January 5 - 11:20 pm

  We own a 2006 Pathfinder LE (35,000 miles) and a 2005 Toyota 4Runner (45,000 miles). When new, I liked the Pathfinder more. Now I prefer the 4Runner. The Toyota has been trouble free, while Ive been to Nissan a number of times for silly stuff: running board rubber peeled up, idler pulley noisy, drivers window slamming into track, heater control jams, door handle fell off, etc. Also, handling seems to have deteriorated to the point of being scary around turns that arent smooth. Bad shocks? While my dealer has been superb, the car has not. Toyota does build a better vehicle. But, I love the drivetrain on the Path - very strong and smooth. Improve the suspension to the level of the drivetrain.

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  Coupe it is! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Ladys Altima - January 5 - 9:20 pm

  I am very happy with my purchase of a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe. This vehicle is very fun to drive! I love the sleek look of the outside as well as the inside! People can not believe it is an Altima. It is a smooth riding vehicle. Nissan did an excellent job with the Altima design and performance.

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  2009 2.5 S - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By zhon - January 5 - 2:54 pm

  I bought this car new in October 09 and have only positive things to say about it. Great power and acceleration for a 4cyl. Some reviewers have stated problems with a delay on acceleration. I have not experienced this, my car accelerates immediately and quickly. I barely have to touch the gas. Much more responsive than any other 4cyl I have driven, and I have driven many. The engine did sound like a diesel when it was below freezing, but that seems to have gone away after the first 6000 miles or so. It is no louder than any other 4cyl. One suggestion for those concerned about problems with the CVT: read the owners manual for proper break in procedures on a new transmission.

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  My Rogue Rocks! - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By Mark G. - January 5 - 8:07 am

  First off let me say that I did a lot of research into this class of vehicle and wasnt actually in the market for new SUV. However, our 2005 Honda CRV was written off as "Totaled" after being rear ended so hard we were pushed into the car in front of us. Thankfully I had done all my homework. I and my wife both test drove 2015 Honda CR-V, 2015 Mazda CX-5, and of course the Rogue SL. I wont go into all the pros and cons of each vehicle suffice to say that all of them are wonderful cars and youre not going to go be disappointed with any of them but if interior comfort, handling, and ride are of the utmost importance to you then the Rogue is head and shoulders above the other two vehicles. Especially the Honda CRV which, frankly for the price, had the least desirable interior and control scheme. Also while Im not a professional reviewer or driver the comments about the "uninspired driving experience" or "lackluster handling" are completely unjustified. I live in rural Georgia and my daily commute is all over twisty turny roads and this car just eats the road up. The car has a nice dynamic suspension which may insulate the driver a little bit from the "road feel" but frankly getting used to to pampered by my Rogues suspension was nothing. It handles precisely and responsively. Many people arent that crazy about CVT (continuously variable transmission (CVT) -also known as a single-speed transmission) transmissions because of their responsiveness and on that score I understand the tepid reviews but thats across the board with all the manufacturers. In my opinion the reviews, while attempting to be precise & impartial, are misleading. This car has excellent acceleration for all your day to day driving needs. I find its acceleration to be smooth and and consistent. I have absolutely no qualms whatsoever recommending this car. I am so happy we did not pay extra to go with the Honda CRV Touring model and this from a dealership we had been going to for years. Ive owned Nissan vehicles before and was extremely pleased with both of them.

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  I really enjoy it - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By IamAng - January 5 - 7:16 am

  The gas mileage isnt great only about 22mpg. The ride is really nice, I love sitting so high up. The exterior design is really different. The interior is mostly plastic that scratches easily.