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:

• 

  Great car - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By vinnnn - March 17 - 1:23 pm

  very happy with it. 2 problems that nissan knows about but will not fix is the ignition coils and the rear calipers stick....

• 

  great until 150,000miles - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By stacybelanger - March 17 - 1:00 am

  Not one problem until 153,000 miles. Drove great, then December 2008 my starter went out. After that was fixed Ive had to replace the battery cables, and alternator. Right now it wont start and I cant figure out what it is. The cupholders stink, and forget about fitting 3 car seats in the back! The trunk rattled when I had 12" subs in there, but it sounded great when I fixed that.

• 

  love the murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By rfields - March 16 - 4:53 pm

  Purchased the sl awd model in july of 04. Wife has driven it now 21000 miles. It has averaged over an entire week 22-24 mpg that is city and highway driving combined. they told us when we purchased it that it wouldnt start getting its best mileage until about 10,000 miles and they were right. Love the ride and comfort, great stereo, and for an SUV I find it to be rather fun to drive and quite peppy. The CVT doesnt seem to sap that much power.

• 

  Our Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Armada 04 Larry - March 16 - 10:00 am

  We have driven over 14,000 miles and I really like the driveing and handle, loads of power and it has a nice feel to the transmition shift points. Now for the problems: the major problem that we have had with our truck is the BRAKES!!!! The rotors were turned and new pads at 6,000 miles and new rotors and pads at 13,000 miles. We are not speed demonds and hard braking habits either. Nissan needs to address this NOW!! Way to much SUV way to little rotor. I am waiting for the 05 to come out, If the correct the brake rotors I going to get a Titan also. Nissan has serviced the problems and claims

• 

  Stereo and DVD System - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ThienLongCongTu - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2004 Quest in Sept 03. Put on a DVD system by the dealership. Eversince the first date, the stereo system has not been working right. Lot of statics on the radio both AM and FM . First the dealership blamed it on the DVD system because it is an after market system. No one had told me it will not work with the factory stereo system . Went back and forth 4, 5times the prblem is still there ...now the dealership said they dont know what to do and referred to Nissan . Nissan now said they have had similar problem with other Quests and it is trying to figure out how to fix it ... My second letter to Nissan about 1 month ago went unanswerred

• 

  Best Car for the Money! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By chappysilver - March 15 - 5:26 am

  Bought my 5 speed sentra sedan new and it has 81,000 miles on it. A fun, peppy car to drive with good gas mileage. Have not had one problem - have just changed oil frequently, one basic brake job, one new set of tires, one battery, and replaced all belts before a very long trip because the car had 60,000 miles on it and had never had a belt replaced - thats it and its been in the massachusetts winters. Starts first time every time - best car value that I have ever had bar none. Enjoy!

• 

  poor gas milage - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By sals - March 14 - 2:26 pm

  The Murano is a nice car but the gas mileage stinks. although it says 20 mpg in the city and 25 on highway on the posted window tag, the real truth is 15 mpg city driving. The dealer told me to switch to high test gas and I did. now I get 15.7 mpg. I dont rough ride the car and dont pull out fast from stops. I had a nissan Max before and was satisfied with 20 mpg. so this is a big drop, especially when gas was 4.00 per gal. The interior came only in black or Tan. Not much of a choice. It does have a lot of room and has a good ride, city and highway. I have a 2007....

• 

  Lotta performance, little $$ - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By CHUCK - March 14 - 8:33 am

  This is my top pick for $20,000 and under sport compacts. I purchased my Spec V in Mar. 04, and I still love driving it more than ever! My favorite part is the extremely competent handling and torque. The car has excellent power to weight ratio. 6sp. manual has great ratios but has trouble finding 5th gear alot. styling is a bit econocar on steriods,but the driver doesnt mind.

• 

  01 Pathys OK, but... - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Stinger_Bee - March 14 - 1:10 am

  Ive had my 2001 Pathfinder LE for quite a while now. I have not had any truly mechanical issues during this time so have to say that its been pretty good. As with several other reviewers, Ive seen the following issues: 1. Engine, transmission, drive shaft sensors have all been replaced 2. The Bose in-dash 6-disc changer (made by Clarion by the way) gave me the Err messages at about 3 years in or 40K. Had to replace it with an after market unit. 3. The interior durability is VERY poor. Ive replaced the driver side power seat motor/rails. 4. Today, Im going to be paying about $700 for some A/C repairs. All in all, its just been OK. My 1999 Maxima was rock solid but was pre-Goshen..

• 

  Awesome upgrade from the Pathfinder - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By Nvious2 - March 13 - 2:50 pm

  Besides fuel economy, it is a really nice ride. Lots of room and extras. I just love the front/back sonar and the backup camera. The automatic lifting gate is a really nice touch too. This vehicle looks very professional inside and out. Looks like they thought of everything when they built the 2008 model. I wouldnt trade it for the world.