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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  Worst transmission, engine, and noise - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By jb68902 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I dont actually own an Altima (thank God), however, a friend of mine has one and I honestly hate it more than any other midsized car sold in America. The car uses what I consider to be the worst transmission offered on any car, anywhere. That, combined with the engine, produces mediocre power, lazy throttle acceleration, and the absolute worst engine noise conceivable. Combine that with an EXTREMELY outdated exterior/interior, unbearable rear seats, a mediocre sound system, and a lack of joy, and you are left with what is quite possibly the worst midsized car sold today. Seriously, I hate that CVT transmission. The transmission takes what little power there is and reduces it to nothing.

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  Nice car.... to lease - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Roma - January 18 - 10:00 am

  There we have it... In summary, the all new Altima is a good performer and is worth leasing, but if you are considering buying it, do your research. The resale on this car is horrible! You lose almost 50% in the first 18 months!

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  disappointment - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By ASG - January 15 - 10:00 am

  had a 95 Maxima-best car I ever owned. Expected the same with my new 2004 Maxima. But, oh boy, what a disappointment. Drives like a truck, handles like a used Buick (no offense Buick owners), very poor gas mileage, auto trans and brakes erratic, poor interior ventilation, uncomfortable arrangement of seat, dash controls and steering wheel. Has a fine, powerful engine and may be fun to drive on highway, but in real-life everyday driving its only mediocre.

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  Lemon from the Start - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Disappointed in Tenn - January 13 - 6:40 am

  Within a month of the purchase date, we had the van back into the dealer with a shaking problem when braking from extended driving periods. It was taken to the same dealer 4 times before it was finally diagnosed. It was not a safe feeling to be on an extended trip and wonder if you were going to make it home or not. Within a month of the last service visit, the driver sliding door began to rattle and squeak when driving over any type of bumps in the road. Then water began dripping through the sunglasses holder just above the rearview mirror. This was caused by improper sealing of the front windshield and they are having to replace the entire windshield. Bottom line...DONT BUY A QUEST!

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  WARNING - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By jc2017 - December 30 - 11:25 am

  Get rid of this car when it gets past 100k!!! Check engine light constantly coming on and the dealership doesnt know whats wrong, Problems with the transmission come quick. The tranny first started slipping and I got the fluid changed. Temporarily fixed the problem, until it came back after a couple thousand miles. $3000 fix. I bought this car with the gas mileage in mind, (around 35mpg) which was great, until all the money i saved went into fixing the car once it got past 100k

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  Just not what i was promised - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By leogirli - December 24 - 8:39 am

  I bought this car a month ago and when I first bought, I loved it. Well after many tanks of gas and 13 trips to the dealership, (in one month I might add) I ended up getting rid of it. I live at a mile high so lower gas mileage is to be expected but I was getting the gas mileage of a gas guzzling SUV not a economy car. I bought the SV model sentra and was getting only 240 miles to a tank. Then it started idling rough. It would shake so hard my kids would notice when the passenger seat would shake. I ended up with a 2013 Altima and so far Im in love. I have only had the Alitma 24 hours and im hoping this car will be much better. Stay tuned.........

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  Good car but outdated desigb - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Maulik Shah - December 20 - 4:21 pm

  With beautiful interiors specially with mazdas and Hondas. Altima looks very stale design. No CarPlay too.

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  Worst Car Ever - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By som2 - December 17 - 10:29 pm

  My car from the time of purchase has only been service by nissan dealership. I have replaced everything from belts to last a motor. Now they are telling me that its the catalytic converter. Nissan should be ashamed of themselves for passing this pretty body off as car.

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  Terrible Handling - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Driver in Pain - December 13 - 6:33 pm

  This vehicle does not handle well to say the least. I need to fight to keep it straight on the road. My wrists are in extreme pain after driving 20-30 miles. Others who have driven have had the same complaint. I initially thought I received a defective vehicle, but apparently Nissans technicians and Nissan Consumer Affairs feel the vehicle performs to factory specifications. Do yourself a favor and stick to a similarly classified Toyota or Honda product. I have previously leased both and have been much happier.

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  No More Nissans - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By No More Nissan - December 9 - 8:53 pm

  I have been reading posts, I have a 2006 Pathfinder, purchased brand new and had all the problems, replaced fuel gauge, IPDM, AC problem all under warranty. But I have had to buy two catalytic converters (they were flooded when the IPDM went out but Nissan would not cover), a new radiator with the fluid into the transmission (hopefully I wont need a new transmission but that may come too), and most recent a torque converter. Once my car hit 100,000 it fell apart, this was my first Nissan and I purchased this brand thinking it would last 200,000 but I will never purchase another Nissan, my first and last.