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:

• 

  Bullet proof and fun to drive - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Marc - April 19 - 2:00 am

  After doing much research in the mini to mid size SUV market I ended up with the Xterra for multiple reasons: For starters, it is a blast to drive, extremely versatile (Have carried a snowblower, several of my friends couches, pulled large boats and tent trailers and never got stuck in mud or snow), and extremely reliable. Apart form regular maintenance, I have yet to have any problems with it. The only down side would be its thirst for fuel (Especially with the rising prices), but did not expect to get much better with much else out there that has its versatility and capabilities.

• 

  Great car - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Alejoa - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Up to now the car is excellent. Good price for what you get. Great pasenger space.

• 

  Solid - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By BigPapi - April 18 - 9:06 pm

  Wonderful engine/performance, really jumps. Pilot interior better, but floor shifter preferable. Plastic scratches more than expected. No dash/fob button for rear hatch unforgivable, but split window nice. Back seats not as roomy as youd think. Bose system is great. Mileage has yet to reach 15 mpg, but am using mid-grade gas so far, more like 13mpg @ 1500k. Anti-lock very sudden, almost violent. No rattling or squeaks! Could use lumbar support.

• 

  Cute Car, But I Hate It - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Lin N.H. - April 17 - 7:00 am

  I got a really good deal on my Sentra, thats the good news. The rest is mostly negative. The driving position is very uncomfortable for me. I am an average size woman 56" and I find the seats too small. If it was a purchase from any place other than a car dealership, I would have returned it for refund in the first week. But Im stuck with it for years. It has been in the shop 5 times. The clutch makes a noise when depressed and again when released. The side windows rattle in their seals. After 2,500 miles, the Service Engine Soon light came on and the cruise control stopped working. I definitely should have spent more time test-driving this car and exploring other options!

• 

  After a years search, near perfection - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By JP - April 16 - 6:40 pm

  I must say that after searching for over a year and test driving dozens of new cars, i made the right choice with the X. Great ability, great looks, and yes it could stand a little spicing up on the inside, great power, great EVERYTHING. i drove land rover, jeep, and many more but none came close. it drives slightly like a truck (if youre used to cars) but it is supposed to, it IS a truck, a truck that can outperform, both on and off road, most others. maybe the Wrangler has it off road. so if you want a good ride, a lot of power, speed, fun and great styling this is the SUV for you. if you want a road SUV with a car like ride look else where, this one is for on and serious off Roading.

• 

  fairlady? - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By ttoussaint21 - April 16 - 11:36 am

  i bought my 2005 base 6 sod manual. car runs great. had some little problems but was purchased used at 78k miles. thermostat went out which caused the car to over heat, headlights went out. and battery went bad, all simple problems. after owning it for a year. i noticed transmission makes a rattling noise at idle. also clutch feels very soft, ive read lots of discussions saying clutchs and trannys go out a lot in these. also nissan dealerships are never helpful. the car is amazing. couldnt have a better sports car for the money. still looks modern, just know that if you buy one, its a gamble, and the dealership wont help.

• 

  Great First Car - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By sublex - April 16 - 7:51 am

  Bought this car for my high school-aged daughter in July 2007. It is approaching four years old and she has put only 25K miles on it. It has held up well to her abuse. The first year, she blew two tires running into curbs, bent one rim, and backed into another car at the grocery store. We did have problems losing hubcaps. After replacing two and losing two more, I decided to invest in a set of alloy wheels. Well worth the $350 investment not having to worry about those hubcaps anymore. Considering all this, the car has been to the dealer only for normal maintenance (except for the visit to the body shop). Although, the last few months, Ive noticed the white paint is starting to yellow.

• 

  $1450+a tranny! - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Brian-Las Vegas - April 15 - 10:33 am

  I have had this car 4 yrs. During the 1st week of Feb. 05 I spent $1450 on replacing the ignition coils, mass airflow sensor & throttle response sensor. Nissan should of extended the warranty on the coils. Nissan is well aware that the coils are junk! In addition to the above the dealer replaced the A/T under warranty at 58,500 miles. I have never had a transmission fail at such low mileage! The rebuilt unit is only warranteed for 12/12. I am a preventive maintenance junkie. I installed an external A/T cooler in series with the factory unit. The transmission was serviced twice in 58,500 miles. This should never of happened. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY ANOTHER NISSAN!!

• 

  Very Happy - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By New to Nissan - April 15 - 4:46 am

  Purchased new 6500 miles ago. Used mainly as a commuter and around town car. Not a single problem so far.

• 

  rugged, dependable truck - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By coro - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had mine for 2.5 years. Herere the list of repair/maintanence beyond oil chage Ive encountered so far: 1. 2001.3. Replaced exhaust manifolds: (removed heatshield and re-positioned rubber hose on top-- supposedly this would prevent future breakage) : $700 2. 2001.5. Brakes. Rear cynlinder leaked: $100 3. Oiling chassis. Replaced rusted nuts from undercar: $25 4. tuneup (replaced plugs, distributor cap and wires) $50 This puppy does NOT like anything other than the expensive NGKs!!! 5. 2003.3. Alternator $300 Remaining issue: ABS light stays on 99% of the time since the breakdown of alternator.