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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  Unrefined - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Shayne - November 12 - 3:23 am

  Ive put about 25,000 miles on this truck in the past 12 + months. Ive used it for towing up to 4,000 lbs, general highway and city driving. The power is great, major mechanical is strong, but it lacks a lot in overall refinement. The seats are below average in comfort, several trips to the dealer for electrical issues, traction control issues, body trim peeling off.

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  NIssan will roll backwards - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By Ken NH - November 12 - 2:00 am

  In July I purchased a new 2010 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X4 . With the new purchase I quickly discovered that when stopped on a hill, while in drive, the vehicle rolls backwards. It will similarly roll forward if in reverse and stopped when backing up. I now know there is a “Hill start assist” that allows the driver to stop on an incline, release the brake and not roll back for two seconds.” But after two seconds the vehicle rolls as if in neutral and will roll backwards unimpeded. Some assist. As effective as the Emperor’s New Clothes. Unaware of this “assist” I reported the problem to the dealership and I was told when on a hill I would have to “two pedal it.

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  Should have a mechanic as an option - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By celejao - November 11 - 1:32 am

  Bought my 2004 new. Have put on at least 3 to 4 brakes, and 3 sets of tires. Currently has 170,000 miles and is stuck at the dealership, was towed there. Right now needs motor mounts, catalylic convertor, front brakes, burns oil, a trans leak (so the dealer says, I do not have any leak spots on the ground), four tires, a belt: $6,000. in parts and labor! Really? I just replaced the CV joint on the drivers side. 350.00, an independent friend replaced it, probably double price at a service station. Nissan dealership is basically telling me to junk the car, so I will buy a new one. They tell me the engine may be bad, the transmission may need to be replaced. Dealership is scary.

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  headlights - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By shelly30 - November 8 - 10:14 pm

  I bought a 2013 Nissan Altima sedan back in November. I traded my 2012. I noticed that whenever the headlights are on that there is a smudgy place, which later found out it is a shadow from the lamp. I did talk to my dealership and they said all the headlights were like that. I called and reported it to consumer affairs nissan. She wrote up a case number and all and asked me to send pictures. I did that and she sent them to the engineering department. She called me back and told me that its the lamp and that theres no solution to correcting this as of right now. My question is did whoever make this car not look at it before sending it out on the market. You buy a brand new car

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  If you live in the cold dont buy it - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By No - November 7 - 11:06 am

  I have had this car less than 3 months and live in the Northeast. I expect to be sold a car that can handle the cold, rain and snow. Ive already had several issues including the remote control start not working when it gets below 15, even while standing right in front of it. Today I went out to start and move my car and the heater, defrosters and fans arent working. There are a lot of angles that hold snow and ice. The ice interfers with the sensors and will cause it to think you are crashing when you are not and automatically engages the breaks for no reason. So far not impressed wishing I had never traded my 2008 rogue in

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  Dont waste your money - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By NICK - November 4 - 3:10 pm

  When I bought my 370 I really thought I was buying quality, boy was that wrong. I paid cash and still spent all day waiting why I dont know and I said I wanted a spoiler added my sales guy said no you dont well I was sure I did. The sales part took way to long and the dealers knew nothing about the car. The car itself was fun to drive for about 3 days I could hear every Stone smack and everything else possible, I had water in both tail lights all the little flaps behind the wheels fell off. The paint was horrible it chipped every time I drove the car, when the tags were put on the lot guy ran screws into the bumper why use the bracket? Nissan service was horrible save your money&buy something else.

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  No ABS Brakes - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By scarolina - November 1 - 2:03 pm

  I purchased my Altima last September & was very excited since I had a 88 Maxima I traded. My new car lacks power (quick acceleration) (4 cyl engine) definitely underpowered & affects mileage. The driver bucket seat is not comfortable & the original seat was installed at a angle-had it replaced. My biggest concern is not having ABS system. I had ABS before & didnt realize the added safety in having ABS brakes. Im seriously considering trading my car in for a 3.5 Altima with ABS or purchasing a Honda or Toyota. Cars are so experience & purchasing a new that lacks quality to say the least is extremely frustrating. I normally keep a car 10 to 12 years but feel this car will be the exception

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  worst truck ive bought - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By usmc_nick1 - October 27 - 9:30 am

  worst truck i have bought by far. 2nd owner of 73k miles. drove it about 5k miles before putting over $5,000 in repairs into it, first problem was my drive shaft came out of my rear axle and transfer case. new axle and transfer case rebuild.. then my ECM went out, it was a safety recall, but nissan refused to pay for damages and my recall. i will not recommend this truck to anyone. then i needed a whole new front suspension (ball joints, shocks and springs) cause they were old and bad. but that comes with age.

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  SAVE YOUR MONEY! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By SLAVA - October 25 - 9:13 am

  Where should I start? 2K miles first set of brakes. All windows squeak. Ive been to the dealership 3 times, still cant fix it. Parts are on backorder for 2 months, now. 3500 miles, I lost the brakes COMPLETELY!!! After I was laughed at in the dealership, they found out that the power brakes booster went. Part went from being on "local" back order to "national" backorder. Car has been in the dealership for a week and nobody can say when am I getting it back. I paid $40K to drive a rental car. The only excuse everybody is giving me is that "its the first year" So what????

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  MY mistake - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By bugman - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I feel I made a mistake buying this truck, I was in a hurry and thought I was getting a deal on it. I bought it used, thought at first it was a good truck, it is a good truck, but for a person who put 120+ miles on in a day it is not that good of a truck. only get 18 mpg in 2 wheel drive but the weird thing is in 4WD I get 22 mpg. Just not the right truck for me