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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  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

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  Should have gone for that Subaru - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By Sara - October 19 - 9:50 pm

  After a bad run with several used cars, I decided to go for a nice, reliable new car. After seriously considering a Subaru Impreza and a Honda Civic, the Sentra 1.8S Special Ed. was so well equipped for the price that I couldnt pass it up. My fathers 87 lasted 150k miles, so what was there to worry about? Well, here it is: in less than 24k miles Ive gone through 1 front door seal, a rear wheel bearing, 2 belts, 1 fuel pump, and out of nowhere, the rear brake drums went off-round (lots of meat on the pads 1k miles ago). Otherwise, the car is what I would expect from a low-priced compact car: zippy enough, passable steering and a semi-comfortable ride.

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  ITs EHHH - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Gary - October 16 - 1:20 pm

  Got it in 08, three days later new transmission, thank god it was under warranty. Slowly other parts started wearing out, motor mounts, inner tire rods and ac compressor have to be replaced according to the dealer all this comes up to 3k. I never again will buy another Nissan, Ive had Hondas all my life. Stick with acura if you want upscale quality that wont dissapoint you. Im waiting a little longer before I jump into a tl.. Oh yeah turning radius is terrible! A semi does a better u turn!

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  Capable but rugged - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Marty - October 16 - 9:33 am

  We traded in a Caravan for a new 2005 Xterra. We were really tired of the minivan and wanted something with more power and something to pull our new atvs. Poor decision. The ride is anything but good. The interior is all plastic and cheap. The stereo has poor sound. Poor fuel economy. Overall the vehicle is very off-road capable and tows very well. Other than that it is definitely not something you want to take on a trip. If you dont need the offroad or towing capability, look elsewhere for something more accommodating. The ride quality alone will tire you even on a couple hour ride. Also it is very difficult to get in and out of the rear seats. Not something you want if you have kids.

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  Pass on the Pathfinder - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By aposak - October 15 - 4:59 pm

  At least until the transmission issues with stuttering and surging are sorted out, avoid this one. The storage spaces are poorly thought out, cant get the glove compartment open if theres a passenger in the front. The center console screen is confusing and low quality. No Bluetooth music connectivity unless you spring for navigation, and the Bluetooth phone is really noisy.

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  2.5 L gutless wonder - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By porsche habit - October 12 - 6:50 pm

  The most BASIC/cheapest xe, 4 cyl. Engine and trans are not a good match. Power and torque below 2500 rpm is terrible. Gas mileage with gas here in Hawaii is only 21 mpg. But again our fuel is 10% ethanol so straight gas would give you about 10% better average, so that would be about 23 mpg. It is a very heavy truck so the 4 cyl. Has to work hard and the mileage shows. The gear ratios are wrong, you have to wind it out or when you upshift it bogs down badly. A six speed would be more appropriate. Drives well, good brakes, BASIC interior, great reliability, good value for the buck. My friends with the same truck but 6 cyl. Love the power they got on tap but 6 cyl. Mileage is only 18 mpg.

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  did anyone get the viration fixed ???? Production change?? - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By carpersonvu - October 8 - 2:15 am

  I have a 2013 altima SL and it has the vibration/noise at 1200-1500 RPM. Was anyone successful in getting it fixed and it stays fixed????? Does anyone know what the production change was in dec 2012

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  2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab 4cyl Auto - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By EYECAT - October 3 - 4:06 pm

  I bought a new 2005 in Jan-06 in Jun- 07 I have 80,000 miles on it. This is my 5th Nissan I have purchased for use in my business and the only major thing I have ever replaced was a clutch at 200,000 miles. My last was a 1997 & I replaced 2 clutches, a starter & alternator. I traded it at 487,000 miles & the others were over 300,000 miles. I got them all from the same dealership. Now at 80,000 miles the transmission seal leaks & the flange in rear-end went. Nissan dealer said it would take 10days to get the part. The same dealer sent my mechanic the wrong part 3X. After 2 wks & 20 calls to corp. no one returns my calls & no answers when theyll have the right part made, no loaner.

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  BEWARE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ..... - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By former nissan lover - October 1 - 12:30 pm

  Was very happy right up til recently when my air intake manifold gasket was found to be leaking, causing the car to have a rough idle and possibly burn the #4 cylinder due to an engine hotspot. Great. Engine light will come on, and repair bill will be around $800, as it is an 8-9 hour job my Nissan dealer told me, and will happen again and again as the hot spot in the engine causing the burning is not able to be fixed.

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  Not Impressed! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Crystal Clark - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Altima in the shop a couple of times now because it just wont start. The first time I was able to get it started by pressing on the gas several times. But, the last time it happened, that didnt work, so I had to have it towed from my garage. The first time the service dept. said they had no idea what was causing it. This last time all they said was basically it was my fault because I didnt have the 15,000 mile RECOMMENDED service done. But, thats not the problem because the first time I took it in with this problem, I only had 10,000 miles on it!