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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  2001 nissan sentra CA - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Kenneth Finucane - January 6 - 6:53 am

  MY California car did great until about 44K- when the catalytic converter went out. At 52K the converter went out again, this time my car has been in the shop for over 5 weeks! Nisian said the part had to be made, then on backorder, (there were only a few hundred made of the CA sentra model). The truth is that the CA model with its 3 catalytic design just does not work- the car has run lean from the get go- what this means is that eventually the valves will permaturely fail- they are starting to go already, i pulled the spark plugs before i took to the dealler and could see detonation on the tips- not good.It seems Nissan received some form of insentive to try 3 catalytic system.

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  The good the bad the ugly - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By jennifer - December 31 - 10:00 am

  THE GOOD- looks good, lots of power, love the heated seats and steering wheel. the back up sensors have me spoiled. THE BAD- shimmies all over the road on acceleration. anything above 50 my steering wheel shakes. when you shut the doors it sounds like they used sheet metal to build them. replaced the timing chain already. the speakers have a short in them. there is a squeaking in the front end but the dealers mechanics never hear it. car shudders after i start the engine like its not getting fuel, but only of the afternoon when i am leaving work not in the morning. UGLY- the chrome is faded. poor poor paint job. 2 mo after i bought the car pain started chipping. carpet coming up.

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  Issue at High Speed - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By ferice - December 31 - 2:59 am

  I have a 2013 Altima 2.5s. I feel as though I am loosing control of the car when I reached 65 MPG and up. I am scared that I will cause a serious accident because I dont feel like I have control of the car at times. The car is also wobble when driving on the expressway at a lower speed. I am wondering if anyone else is experience the same issue. Ive driven my wife ford fusion for a month, and I have never had that issue

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  You get less for more money - 2011 Nissan Murano
  By nissanwtf - December 30 - 5:29 pm

  If you have the 2009 SL, then keep it. With the 2011 SL - you lose Xeon lights, truck Cargo hold (for bags) It only has (1) CD with a 2 GB but...800 MB to store songs. How can the Rouge 2011 SL come with Xeon lights for $29,000 and the 2011 SL Murano does not, my sticker price $38,495. Really like the new lights on the back. Seat memory function is good too. Still cant believe Nissan is really trying to force their loyal customers to other car companies. This is my 11th Nissan and I bought it yesterday and I can honestly say it will be my last.

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  Falling Out Of Love - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Caroline - December 28 - 8:06 pm

  When I drove my sleek black Rogue which I aptly named My Batmobile out of the dealership I was thrilled. That was in April 2010 and since then my service engine light has gone on twice. I had to have the vent control valve replaced twice. The cause I was told is the ethanol in gasoline. Now I search for gas w/o ethanol at a higher price of course.

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  2004 nissan sentra 1.8 liter 4 door - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By jrb - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought this Nissan 4 yrs ago. Had to replace breaks, tires, wheel baring starts hard and some times will not start at all, the radio went out 1 yr after purchased, trunk leaks water pump went out 102,000, dip stick broke, engine lite stays on all the time.

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  Rattles, Rattles, Rattles - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Shelly - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle over a year ago. I have had horrible problems with rattles. On the left front of my dash to the left of the steering wheel, in the center council near the gear shift, on the right dash and the worst one is in the far front where the dash meets the windshield. It is very frustrating, because I have had my vehicle in for rattles several times and they cannot figure the far front dash rattle. My girlfriend has the exact same murano and hers just started with the same rattle at 20,000 miles. I thought they fixed it, only it came back after 3 days. I have read many sites where others are having the same problem. Breaks squeak bad

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  Sentra has poor fuel economy - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Gene - December 23 - 9:23 pm

  Just bought the car and have only 900 miles. Rated gas mileage is 29 city and 36 highway. My average mileage has only been 20.5 mpg for local driving primarily in the suburbs. The dealer tells me the car needs to break in and good mileage will be realized after 7500 miles. I have never had this experience with other new cars, at least not to this degree, so I am very concerned. The dealer cannot find anything wrong. I noticed that the new CVT has a braking effect at all times and I suspect this is the reason for the bad mileage since the car does not coast like a normal car. It is like being in D1 all the time.

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  Good Practical Car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Kristi - December 21 - 9:13 am

  Has required no repairs, except a recall and normal maintenance. Good in snow considering weight of car. Road noise can be annoying-put on fave CD! Heat/air at 3+ too noisy. Gas mileage somewhat disappointing. Small & feel am sacrificing some comfort for reliability & longevity, but front seats very adjustable for max personal comfort. Excellent at holding its value if even moderately maintained. I recommend for practical types who want a reliable, low "cost of use" car they can pay off & be free of payments for a least a few years, if not more.

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  Just O.K. ( Buyers Remorse ) - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Durell - December 17 - 11:20 pm

  I decided to wait 6 mos before writing a review of this car. Lets say that its just ok for a daily driver. The v6 is advertised as having 270 hp, somehow I think thats not entirely true. The AC is lacking punch, The steering is ultra light, the handling even with SE trim is floaty, build quality is better than last gen but not by much, the brakes are pretty much dead if one must make a sudden stop from say 50 mph, lots of fade, the gas mileage is horrible even when taking it easy on the engine.