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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  Solid SUV...worth a look - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  The Xterra is a true off-road capable SUV. We have about 6k miles on ours and its been great so far. We bought the Xterra because we wanted a true 4wd that could eventually take the place of my aging Toyota Tacoma. We drove a lot of vehicles before deciding on the Xterra. No regrets. Pros- Its fun to drive and well appointed. The V6 is very powerful. Good size, not too big or too small. Cons- Its not fuel efficient. My guess is that 20 mpg is the best you can expect on the hwy, 15 in the city. Interior plastics scratch easily which is a little annoying.

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  Gas Gage and Oxygen Sensor Issues - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Purchased program pathfinder with 12,000 miles on it, with the 3yr/36k mile warranty. At 36,100 miles the oxygen sensor failed on the #3 cynlinder. Then before the first year was over my gas gage began acting up (falling to zero if it gets below half of a tank.) The Nissan extera and ultima have the same reported gas gage problem but my dealer says it is unrelated. Agree with other 6 foot tall person that said the vehicle is difficult to get in and out of without hitting your head. At 45,000 miles the heater begins to blow cold when you come to a stop sign, then heats back up. The back bumper scratches VERY easily, and not durable enough to pull a 23boat. Wont buy nissan.

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  Great for being the wifes vehicle - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By Sanders630 - May 11 - 8:56 am

  Overall this is a good family vehicle. Meets the same fuel economy that our previous 2003 Altima 2.5S had. To me theres nothing fantastic but, Im a sports car fanatic. The paddle shifters do help with that aspect though. Also does handle pretty decently for a tall vehicle. Some of its braking components and suspension aspects are shared with the Sentra SE- R Spec-V.

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  Nissan "Little WorkHorse" - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By Henry - May 9 - 11:06 am

  I bought this vehicle in 1998, have had it since. Best vehicle I have ever owned I can count the repairs with one hand. Repaired the ignition key once under warranty, air bag light has been on since 2007 still not repaired, replaced clutch 4/2008 only because I had the money to do it before it went out on me, found out later I still had a few more miles on it. 2009 replaced starter, A/C making humming noise but still works. One more thing replaced headliner. Best truck ever owned, I also own a Maxima. The Frontier beats the Maxima by a long shot on repairs.

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  Nissan? Is it what it is made out to be? - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By NKING - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Overall, it is a fun car to drive with great power, but when the car got about 70,000 miles on it, little things would go wrong like shrtage in lights. In November 2003, I had the car serviced and they supposivly serviced everything! By the end of December the car was to the point where it did want to stay running. I found that it was the ingition coils and they said all 6 had to be replaced instead of the one bad one! $850 to replace them. The car has been in the shop four times from minor problems. PEOPLE, KEEP THE MANUAL YOU RECIEVE ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY! IT IS YOUR PROOF OF COVERAGE! If I had the chance to repurchase I WOULD NOT!

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  Altima Keeps Getting Better - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Drippingfawset - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Altima. The car just keeps on getting better with each redesign. Great value for the money.

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  AS GOOD AS IT GETS! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By GR8SHOT - May 9 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN GREAT SO FAR. TRADED MY TUNDRA FOR THIS TITAN AND I AM NOT DISSAPPOINTED. BEST TRUCK I HAVE DRIVEN SO FAR.

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  Gas Hog is an understatement. - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By gashog - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Have been very impressed overall with the New Titan. The brakes are outstanding and smooth. Power is always available but after going through a few tanks of gas, Im finding that if you keep your foot in this truck, it will pass everything but a gas station. Terrible gas mileage so far, even when driving ultra conservative. (ie highway at nothing over 65mph) 8mpg-10mpg (way off from the stated 15-18). Tow mirrors are very difficult to get use to.

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  Love/Hate this car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Suzy04 - May 8 - 2:40 pm

  For the most part, I love this car. I have owned it for about 18 months. I use my 94 Camry for the daily drive to work. This car is used on weekends and traveling. In town, the road noise is okay. On the interstate, sometimes it is terrible. My sister and I were shouting at one another on one stretch of Interstate. It is a beautiful car. I get lots of compliments on it. It is a comfortable ride--much more so than the Camry. It is also fun to drive but sometimes seems "big" to turn and park. Only maintenance so far. The one problem I have had is when I have a passenger. Two different people have knocked the shift out of drive--both times it was pretty scarey.

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  Owner of 10 years - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By grezavi - May 8 - 2:20 am

  I bought this car model when it was first released back in late 1999 as 2000. Typically I dont buy first model years but in this case I did because it was so much superior than the Civic or Toyota. I had problems with its electrical system and A/C in the first couple of years but after sorting that out, things have been great and I am very pleased. The last year or so a check engine light has come on, it is harmless for the part and has been on for about 40,000 miles so go figure. I am very impressed by the car now in its 10th year of ownership and I am tempted to repeat another Sentra purchase.