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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  The Jetsons Minivan Has Arrived - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By DKinAZ - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Shopped at Toyota for a 2004 Sienna - too many extras made it expensive, plus no airbags for passengers. Shopped at Honda for an 2003 LX, it was nice - but not nice enough, safety features extra. Waited for Nissans new 2004 offering and, after a few weeks, received call from the dealer - they had a RED base model Quest without any gimmicks. I saw it, my wife drove it, we bought it on the spot. It was worth the wait. The base model really has everything you need. We paid MSRP and not a penny more. This is a must see before you buy.

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  not bad - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Dan - October 1 - 11:53 pm

  Been driving almost two years. VQ engine is smooth, powerful, and fun. My biggest complaint is the rear beam suspension. Used to drive a 99 mazda 626 (independent rear) and the tail felt less fishy and more planted than my Maxima. Tires are awful too. poor tires + beam susp make the perfomance subpar for a sports sedan. Build quality can be improved. After two years of driving on stiff suspension and poorly maintained roads, there are quite a few conspicuous interior rattles and creeks.

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  95 Maxima GLE - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By TP - September 30 - 4:13 am

  Very reliable, I have put approximately 120,000 miles on it and the repair cost has been reasonable if not low. Durable, saved me in an accident, great car that you can count on if you (or the previous owner) has taken car of it.

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  Nice look but poor build quality - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By akabook - September 29 - 11:36 pm

  My wife loves the look of the car and thats why we bought it. But the build quality of the car is not good: the car is light, the steel sheet feel cheap and thin. Our doors have already collected a lot of dents and dings. I am a little worried how long this car can actually last. Engine and CVT so far so good. The automatic windows can be inconvenient. You have to start your engine to be able to operate your windows.

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  Dependable - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Diesel - September 29 - 6:43 pm

  Bought used with aprox. 20,000 miles, in 2006. Now has 80,000 in 2010. I have only changed the oil, the air filter, the head lights, wipers, and battery. Did every thing but the oil myself with ease. My good friend, a mechanic, recommended I buy an Xterra. I am glad I did. I owned a 2000 Frontier that never gave me a problem either, so I was happy to by another Nissan. Id bet it has the same 2.4 litter engine, but geared lower. I removed the roof rack air dam for better mileage.

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  My right arm - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By edjl - September 29 - 4:13 pm

  My wife and I were heading towards a Yaris, but by the time we had all the features picked out, the price was to high for our budget. We looked at the Versa and got a lot more car with the needed features. I use this little car for work, and kept my truck for the big stuff like hauling trash and getting gravel. I am disappointed with the highway mpg and steering wheel. Plus, no right arm rest! I hope Nissan has one for 2009, and some form of a retro-fit for my 2008.

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  reliable wheels - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By g.con - September 29 - 1:00 pm

  Now 35K....not one problem.....have 2001 with 107K......replaced only an idler pulley and two belts.....toal repairs....$45.00......they are slow but you know youll get where you are going

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  12k Horror - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By ptkchic - September 29 - 4:43 am

  I got this car back in March. It is now 8 months old with 12,000 miles on it. There is a whine coming from the rear breaks. I took the car in and they said my rear breaks are wearing and it will take at least a month before the parts come in. The gas mileage is at 20 mph and they have no idea why. When I turn the wheel left or right there is huge clunking noise. (I am told this is normal) My front brakes are wearing faster than they should. The car has been in 3 times for the rear brakes.I have to slam on the gas pedal before the brakes engage. Im considering using the lemon law.

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  Thin line between love and hate - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By E.Zinn - September 29 - 4:16 am

  Having bought this car as a demo with 5000 miles on it I attributed many of its brake, strut, rotor problems to being abused by the dealer. After reading many of these reviews now I realize they are design issues. Despite its flaws (see suggested improvements), overall I am happy with the car. I get about 430 miles per tank for the type of driving I do which is a hybrid of mostly highway/city driving. The car has plenty of room for 4 adults. Acceleration is excellent, just be prepared for the torque steering when you punch it. Car pulls when stopping and steering wheel shimmies on highway. Replaced horrible goodyear tires with Michelin Pilot MXM4 and have been 100% happy with them.

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  CVT Sucks! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By alan106 - September 28 - 2:19 am

  Ive been driving my 2013 Altima SV for 6 months. I regret having purchased this car. I should have bought a Camry. The CVT transmission is defective by design. While cruising at highway speeds and attepting to maintain a specific speed, the transmission at about 1800-2000 rpm, will begin to vibrate at a low rumble....which is not only audible but felt. At any speed, engine noise is NOT what you expect in a family sedan. Wind noise, with closed windows, is inexusable. The whine from the power steering is only a problem when you start the car. Once running its inaudible. On the positive side: the car has great acceleration, breaks,exterior design. The car feels solid and has good gas milage