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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  Awesome Car!! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Brian - November 4 - 10:53 am

  Just got mine yesterday and loving every minute driving it.The car is real SHARP looking! Even with my neighborhood littered with Altimas, mine still turns heads. The Sheer Silver with the chrome accents on the door really puts an exclamation point on an already gorgeous car. Also like the new alloys for 05 and the redesign of the interior.

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  Cash For Clunkers Victim - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ace Skater - November 4 - 7:33 am

  I bought my Pathfinder brand new in 1998 and its still going strong 220,000 miles later. Cabin held up well and still looks great. Things to watch out for: real axle seals (leaked, had to have both replaced), fuel throttle body (replaced, was sticking from bad fuel and had a coolant leak), AC (replaced compressor, replaced fan speed switch (x2), replaced blower motor and its speed control resistor (x2), harness wires toasted from being too thin), and that coolant rubber hose inside the engine (!) that gets overlooked when replacing the timing belt, water pump, and other hoses.) All-in-all its been an AWESOME truck for me! Definitely buy one if you can find one thats been well maintained.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Mixed Feelings - November 3 - 7:30 pm

  Bought the car in 05 with 95km and now has 166km. Ill first start off with the good qualities: comfortable luxury interior with good sound system. Has good power and fun to drive. Now the problems. Non stop idle problems. I have had many parts changed and still no luck. It seems like the check engine light is always on for something. To this day I still have idle problems which the dealership wants $2400 to change the computer. There is also some rust starting on the body. Other than that, its been a decent car.

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  Manufacturer defective drivers side seat - 2016 Nissan Frontier
  By Robert W. McReynolds - November 3 - 4:53 pm

  My new 2016 Frontier is missing a bunch of padding near the backrest in the drivers seat. Feels like you are sitting in a hole and hurts my back. Nissan is not willing to replace or repair the seat. Passengers seat has the padding and is comfortable. 100% dissatisfied with Nissan Customer Service. I purchased a new 2011 Frontier and was very happy with the truck, so purchased a new 2016 exact copy. Both driver and passenger seats on the 2011 were identical and comfortable. After dealing with Nissan Customer Service, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT! The dealer and Nissan indicated they would write no more repair/complaints. So much for the LEMON LAW!

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  Nice Car! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By flamekrazee - November 3 - 10:23 am

  This is a very classy car. I test drove at least six other 4cyl cars and none even came close to having the pep of the Altima. This car flies for a 4 cylinder. The Bose audio system is outstanding, but the radio reception is weak. The blond interior is sleek and beautiful with a rich feel. This car turns heads as you drive. The things I dont like are the door locks which are easy to accidently lock. I also had a torn CV boot at 4000 miles. The trunk lid has a problem staying open especially with a spoiler. Since the good points overweigh the bad, overall I am happy with this car.

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  I own one an love it - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By 037 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I had several cars in mind when I was shopping for a car. Camry and Accord looked too plain for me. Passat in the long run would be more expensive to maintain. This car has one of the best engines in its class. The only problem I noticed with it is the pathetic down shifting on auto transmission. The answer to it is very simple, TURN THE OVER DRIVE OFF! Once that is done, the car leaves pretty much any V6 in the dust.

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  2003 Nissan Maxima - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By jm37j - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I chose the six speed manual transmission with titanium edition package. The car is a lot of fun to drive and very well appointed. Before choosing this car I also test drove a BMW 540i and found them similar in comfort, performance and handling. The BMW, however, was not in the same price range or even close to it so I let the price determine my choice.

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  fast and fun - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By corylitvin - November 3 - 10:00 am

  it is awesome. speed is definately a big bonus on the car.

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  Joe - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Joe Brooks - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Excellent Luxury Car!!!!!!!! This car is awesome, I have owned a 1979 280ZX and a 300ZX and you are back! I love you car and I like the 2003 over the 2004, it looks like a Altima!!!!! The grill is the only thing that make it looks differnt on the outside other than the moon roof the the moon roof, that do not open, who need shades? Joe Brooks Southern Air Inc.

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  Decent SUV - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By MarkZ - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2001 Pathfinder LE when it first came out in April 2000. Wish I would have waited a little while until the full-time 4WD was available. But overall I am rather happy with the vehicle. Just make sure you get the extended warranty from Nissan. The standard 3yr/36,000 warranty expires quickly. I have 48,000 miles and have used the extended warranty 3 times already in the past 12,000 miles (for emissions sensors and a leaking wheel cylinder) so it was well worth the cost.