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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  Unreliable and Costly - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Bob Smith - November 19 - 4:16 am

  9 years old, 88,000 miles. In the last 2 years, Ive spent $3500 in repairs such as: muffler system, struts, brakes, tires, ignition key cylinder. Now, it has a radiator fluid leak due to a blown head gasket, Im told. Costly repair. Ive never had that happen, especially at this mileage. I would avoid the Pathfinder

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  Great First Car - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Well i got the car as of June 1st 2010 to replace my 05 ford focus. I was looking for a car that was larger, safer, and actually had some power,im use to power and i would like something that will move with you put your foot down. Anyhow, for the most part i love the car. I received the car at 109,200 miles, it is now december 2010 and i have already put 8500 on in 6 months. Its not hard to rack up the miles in this car. It travels nicely, comfortable seats, though the ride is a little firm on the SE model,i havent tested one other than the SE so i cant be too nitpicky about the maxima in general. But overall a great car with plenty of passenger and cargo space! cdplayer also having problems

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  ill stick at SO SO - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I love the ride.Gets up and goes I got it at a local dealership I paid 14000 friend discount it had 40000 when i got it now im running on 70000 and it still runs strong.I have the problems like everyone.DTE,Check engine light,and the tire light just came on yesterday.All this just started happening this year.Nothing wrong with my tires just need new ones can easyly reset by pulling off the negitve wire from the battery(black one)and if u got ur Nissan used can check if the previous owner took it in for the recall fuel if not u can still get it replaced.It will clear out the DTE and no more check engine light.Living here in hawaii I surf and tow jet skis and boats its like the energizer bunny

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  loved it when it worked - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  bought a used 06 SE from carmax with a 60 warranty(thankfully) engine wise and looks wise a great SUV but had a few problems with it that were dangerous IMO. Rear diff had to be replaced and luckily under warranty at 49k miles! two different occasions the car would out of nowhere not steer more than 10 degrees to the left and deemed dangerous IMO. replaced under warranty both times and this might have been a lemon cause how soft it was driven. The steering issue the first time was the rack and pinion and the second time was the steering column IMO it was the steering column the whole time. Overall great looks and feel in driving when it steered properly! Great engine and powerful for a re

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  very reliable - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  ive owned this car for 5 months i like the cabin space its as large as some mid sized cars, the engine is very peppy no problem getting on the hgwy. however it could use some storage other than the glove box , and the armrest is woefully inadequate,with that said ive yet to reach gas mileage north of 30 mpg oh and the seats are very firm. overall a good car ,but i really love the cvt transmission a big departure from small cars , the way it pulls thru the gears seamlessly.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I have just turned in my 2007 Murano for a new 2010 Murano. I am expecting baby #2 and have found for the space the vehicle is perfect. It runs great, has beautiful design inside and out and is a safe vehicle for my family. I have shopped around and for my budget its the best vehicle hands down.

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  Great Ride!! - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Picked up a 2011 Maxima two weeks ago -- Professional Trim. Love it!! Great styling and drivibility. The features - - XM, NAVI, Moon roof, specific driver setting, engine response -- are nice. Car has smooth ride and suspension. Great pick up and power when using the paddle shifters or "manual" shifitng. While I use it primarly for myslef, back seat has been able to comfortable seat 2 back there.

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  Reliable commuter car - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By SaveGas - November 18 - 5:00 pm

  My Sentra is now 12 years old, and Ive had it for 8 years now. Its still fairly low mileage at 130k. Ive also tried to ditch it many times before but never had a good reason to do it. It gets still 30+ mpg with automatic transmission. Interior is starting to deteriorate, such as fabric detaching and shredding. Other than that, Ive never had major mechanical problems with it. Had to replace ERG valve, IAC valve, 3rd set of tires, 2nd pair of rotors, on 3rd battery, plus regular oil changes. Alternator, transmission and timing chain are still going strong. I have no complaints as its taken me from college to graduate school, and so far all 5 jobs Ive had!

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  my new truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By horn - November 18 - 11:26 am

  I bought this truck bran new. used edmunds.com to find a fair price bought truck at 23,000 a little lower than the tmv pricing report given on the web site im very happy with the truck performs very well is good on gas and the eye. even the rather standard model has nice qualty with a few good opitions i would recommend this truck over its counterparts from japan and america. the nicest mid sized truck for the money

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  Just like Edmunds said! - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Del - November 18 - 8:06 am

  I bought a Titan last weekend and Im very happy. Ive only encounter one minor design flaw which has to do with the shape of the window that allows rain or dew to drip into the cabin even if the window is barely cracked open. This problem with time will damage the door switches and/or the door itself. Easy to fix however by installing wind/rain deflectors. Bought the truck based solely on Edmunds reviews...didnt even take it for a test drive.Great job doing evaluations that help us, the consumers.