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:

• 

  ALTIMA - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Dave Bogues - December 14 - 2:00 am

  REFRESHING TO OWN A VEHICLE THAT I DONT HAVE TO KEEP TAKING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY WORK. PREVIOUS CARS, LINCOLN LS(2 OF THEM) ONE RETURNED UNDER LEMON LAW, THE OTHER OVER 20 WARRANTY CONCERNS. NEVER AGAIN.

• 

  Awesome Truck, squeaks uner 10mph - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Zack - December 13 - 5:46 am

  I live in Anchorage Alaska, so I wanted a nice 4wd vehicle that I could pull my toys with and take people along as well. The Titan has been everything I could have ever wanted it to but, until recently, I dont know if its the harsh temperature or just a flaw from Nissan, but Ive taken it back to the dealership 2x and still the axle squeaks every time I brake or just drive under 10mph. Other than that its awesome!!

• 

  Great car, but strange noise at 30 MPH - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By nj_driver - December 13 - 1:56 am

  Ive driven 6K miles in my 2012 Altima 3.5. Overall, the car has good acceleration, and is very responsive. The only odd concern is that at 30 MPH (the first time I drive it each day), there is a clunk. It sounds like I ran over a rock and it hit the undercarriage. I returned to Nissan 2 times to have it checked, and was told that it is the ABS Actuator, and the sound is normal. I find it hard to believe the engineers at Nissan would allow this. Check this if you test drive an Altima.

• 

  I love my MAX. - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Dick - December 12 - 1:33 pm

  This is my 3rd Max, I trade every year. Its the best bang for your buck if you want a fast, well appointed sports sedan. Great acceleration, and a tight, yet smooth ride in a luxury sedan. The SE with low profile tires handles a little better (my car last year), but the SLs ride is smoother without giving up too much in the handling department. You really notice this difference at speeds over 90. The interior of the SL is very well done and comparable to more expensive sports sedans. The SE interior is more mundane lacking the flash of an SL. Quality is very good. Ive had no problems except of a small rattle in the SE I had last year. Ill buy another one next year.

• 

  Poor mileage - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By greyes - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I love the van except for the mileage! When I purchased the vehicle, it was rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. I have driven the van for a little over 13,000 miles now, and the most I get is 14.8 mpg city and 15.8 mpg highway. I contacted the Nissan Dealership and Nissan Headquarters in Gardena, California, but all I got was the standard answer ("Those are tests performed on perfect conditions"). Needless to say, I am very disappointed with the mileage. My friend has a Honda Oddyssey and he is getting the rated mileage.

• 

  Fun, Fun, Fun! - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Bob Sherflowski - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2000 LE 4x2 with the old 170- hp geezer. After a string of trouble- free American SUVs decided to go import. This car is so fun to drive because you have an excuse to floor it all the time. I test-drove a 2002 LE and Thank God they put some balls in it! Build quality has been excellent. 34000 and only one glitch: A/C condenser fixed under warranty at 25K mi. will buy another one, still gets looks from adoring women!

• 

  Will I ever buy American again.......?? - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By DomesticConvert - December 12 - 10:00 am

  First time buying a foreign make. Father GM retiree; GM a major account of mine. You would think I would be compelled to purchase under the GM badge or at least remain loyal to the domestics. Plenty of research, discussions and test drives combined with the bitter taste of recent thousand dollar plus visits to GM service centers drove me to explore options. Trailblazer got high marks - nice going GM. Our Pathfinder has been the reward and compensation we had hoped for. A great all-around vehicle. Like your favorite, cozy chair - always familiar and welcoming. Now in the market for another vehicle... HEY BIG THREE!! What do you got to sway me ??

• 

  Great Truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Thunda - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Excellent handling and the super charger provides great power. Looks cannot be matched by any other compact.

• 

  Just OK - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By petemck - December 11 - 2:15 pm

  I bought a 2011 SV with Premium package in February. I previously owned a 1998 Maxima SE 5speed manual that I bought new. This new Max has better steering but the CVT in automatic mode is awful and the torque steer at higher speed (75-85mph) is dangerous. My dealer experience also left a lot to be desired.

• 

  Indestructible!! - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By tmbriggs - December 9 - 10:36 pm

  I bought it brand new. First new car I owned and I can say after almost 11 years stills run fantastic! Still original clutch, just replaced CV joint axles after 161,000 miles. Only gripe is the windshield wiper motor went out after about 145,000 miles. Cost $80 though so not too bad. Should run 300k miles no problem!