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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  Electrical Problems - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Mark - November 13 - 12:20 pm

  After a few months of owning the car, the coils went out (cost $800). Six months later same thing plus wiring harness (cost $2,800). A few weeks later same exact thing, only they replaced the computer in the car (under warranty). A few weeks later, the same thing, and now another computer and coil pack. The computer fried everything over and over again. My car has had the computer replaced 4 times. The last time I went back to the dealership, I had them look at the history, and the original owner had the same problem. The car has been repaired at the Nissan dealer every time. I have spent numerous hours on the phone with Nissan Corporate, with no help what so ever. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR

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  Great Truck - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By moloch16 - November 12 - 10:03 pm

  Ive owned this truck for almost a year now and I am very happy. The truck drives very well and is tightly made. I commute in this truck and get about 19mpg on a regular basis (I have a bunch of stop lights to go through). This truck can do it all - commute, tow, haul, offroad!

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  2k5 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Nissan Driver 4 Lyfe - November 12 - 5:10 pm

  I purchased the car after going through hell with a 2k3 Mazda Protege5. Had the protege5 4 months & visited Mazda 9 times within that time period. Anyway I will have owned the SE-R for 3 weeks on Monday (7/4/05) and have put 2250 miles on it already. Nissan has addressed all issues with car since 2k2 and 2k5 SE-R is very refined and a great improvement over early models. QR25DE engine is very responsive, powerful, quiet yet very refined. Skyline seats are firm but comfortable. Exterior looks good with nice wheels and kit. Interior fit and finish is excellent and materials look and feel of high quality but collects way 2 much dust. Handles and rides sporty.

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  The anti-Camry - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By David - November 12 - 3:43 pm

  Bought this car 6 mos. ago with 61k on the odo and in that time I have had no probs with it except i had to force the dealer to replace the trans b/c the car had been previously wrecked on the drivers side and they didnt tell me. Now it has 71k and though im a little weary of the interior rattles I couldnt be more thrilled with the way it gets around town and on the interstate. Everything is done smoothly and competently and the VQ35 is well deserving of its reputation, tho Nissan let it down by not installing a 5sp automatic. Build quality is spotty in some areas, particularly around the hood and headlights, but this is still a solid car that Im planning on keeping for a long time.

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  Very satisfied - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By F. Getter - November 12 - 3:20 pm

  Fun to drive, plenty of power, ease of handling, good visibility, and fair gas mileage.

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  Absolutely in love with my BEAST - 2014 Nissan Armada
  By cmt1 - November 11 - 11:13 pm

  I stepped up from my honda pilot and purchased this beast. I love it. I have the blue one. Very pretty color. I purchased this certified used. I love the comfort. More comfortable than my couch. I love the ease of getting in and out including the 3rd row. I pull a small trailer with it with 4 wheelers. I would have never done that with the honda. The honda pilot was very difficult to get into the 3rd row. This one is perfect. I have never never been so pleased with a vehicle before. I did not think I would like it because of its size. Then I drove it. WOW. Reviews read that it gets poor gas mileage. My honda averaged 18-19 mpg. This is a much bigger vehicle v8 pulling a trailer up and down country road hills of Hocking Hills, Ohio and it averages 15.6mpg. So tell me, how is that considered poor mileage? One thing I would recommend.... When you get into the third row, you step where the second row seats sit, there is no floor mat there. I purchased my mats from weather tec because the third row mat goes under the second row seats. Now if you want a review on my weather tec mats, second row doesnt fit or look good. Front and third row are great. Every single person that has been in my beast absolutely loves it. Just as I do. Of course, they dont get to drive it. I used to be a nervous freeway driver (especially beside a semi) that is no longer the case. I love sitting up high. The only issue that I have had is with the window seals. The seals at the bottom of the windshield have both needed to be re-glued. I love my beast. I have had this vehicle for a year now. I am still in love!

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  2008 Altima Coupe 3.5 SE - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Karen - November 11 - 12:36 pm

  I test drove my car, feel in love with it and bought it the same day! No regrets. So powerful. Very comfortable. Very Very stylish! Turns heads. Has the power to step up. I was and still am really impressed. Gets lots of looks.

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  A fridge or washing machine? - 2010 Nissan Cube
  By OfficeCube - November 11 - 11:53 am

  Coming from a Sequoia AWD to a Cube was not a difficult decision - felt super roomy with the vertical design. With 1600 miles on Odometer (I do 9 miles local and 9 miles fwy), I am avg 31-33 mpg on the trip computer. Love the bluetooth, only need to press 1 button and the rest are voice recognized. Although its slightly underpowered but the pick up is great from 0 to 45 mph, actually hardly any other cars pick up as fast as the Cube (just my experience on the road) - yes, a bit noise after 45 mph and on fwy do have wind noise. Suspension is above average for economy car - handles uneven paved road very well - very impressed. So far the best compact car ever owned! Go buy one!

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  Murano at 230k miles - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By BrockFromAtlanta - November 11 - 11:06 am

  The murano has been in the family since new. this SUV is made well, but it cans be abused. It has good cargo space. it is comfortable and strong. Cvt tranmission shifts well but it requires high maintenance(CVT fluid is over $20 per Quart, and the vehicle may have acceleration issues if the fluid is slightly low). It still runs on original engine and original transmission. It runs and drives well, however it started to burn oil( I have been using 20W/50 grade oil since 175k to reduce oil consumption). Engine is super quite when idles. All motor mounts, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, power steering pressure line, and radiator went bad before hitting 180k. Doing the work myself, I saved a lot. I work on cars a lot, and I have to tell you that working on Muranos are very hard because of design. Replacement parts are usually more expensive compare hondas. As it was stated by other owners, sun visors are made cheap as well as leather on armrest. It tows well. Engine and muffler sound sporty when rpm goes high.

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  2010 1.8S Hatchback - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By kw0422 - November 11 - 8:22 am

  I have been driving my Versa for a few months now. Its been a great car! Small, but incredibly roomy. It definitely feels like a much larger car that it actually is. Right now Im getting around 29 mpg (mixed driving). I wish that was better...Im hoping gas mileage improves as it gets more broken in. I wish it had a little more power as well - but its not really meant to be powerful! Overall, comfortable and affordable car.