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:

• 

  Greatly dissapointed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By In look of lemon att - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I bougth Quest mostly because my wife fall in love with is from the first sigth. Now shes crying calling me that air conditioner is not working AGAIN - and thats in Arizona in August ! I lost count how many times I vizited Pinnacle Nissan dilership (which is even greater dissapointment then car itself). Rattling doors, squeeling front suspention,falling down interior lights, intermittent problem s with AC, 8 recalls... I have had it enough - Im looking for lemon lawer.

• 

  CVT transmission problem - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By My 2007 Maxima - May 15 - 2:50 am

  I bought my 07 Maxima new. Now have 50k miles on it in 2.5 years. Until 3 weeks ago only put oil in it and normal preventative maintenance like rotate tires and check fluids. Recently took it to the purchasing dealership service dept. and they say the CVT transmission is going bad. Luckily it is under warranty. (60k miles) I first noticed a light tapping noise at slow speed coming from the front end. Now three weeks later I am waiting on a new transmission to come in as they do not have re-manufactured ones because they are too new. Still runs, but the tapping noise is irritating. Did not pay the $$ I did to have it go bad. When working fine, the CVT is GREAT. Otherwise, I love the car.

• 

  Great Deal on Barely Used LE - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By uvagrad - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I just bought an 01 with only 4800 miles for $24,500! Loaded with leather, sunroof, 6-disc CD, NAV system, DVD entertainment system, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Tow Package, aftermarket roof rack for my skis, bikes and kayaks/canoes. Added an extended warranty to 100K miles. Rides like a Lexus or Acura for $20K less. This is my 3rd Pathfinder. #2 was totaled in a head-on collision at 45 MPH. It saved my life and my wifes, with no injuries!

• 

  A Hot Wheels Car for Adults - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By drg - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Have spent the last month looking at a wide range of vehicles; I test drove the Highlander, RX300, BMW X5, Acura MDX, Honda Pilot and Volvo XC90. This car was really amzingly well put together and the size was really what I was looking for as opposed to the larger vehicles that I had driven. The handling is better than the Lexus and close to the Bimmer in my mind. Havent been in snow but anticipate a good safe ride. Interior is well appointed and seats are very comfortable. DVD navigation system is a hoot and prob more helpful than I initially anticipated. Rear seats are fine. 3 adults would be a bit tight.

• 

  Some days - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By KG - May 12 - 12:20 am

  Most of the time I love my Murano. However, when I have problems it seems to take multiple visits to the dealer to cure them. It took a year to solve a creak in the sun visors. Ive made at least 4 visits for a creaking drivers door. Any road imperfections make it creak and it is embarassing when you have others in the vehicle. The door panel has to be replaced. Cruise control will occasionally not respond when I tap the brake pedal have to slam on the brakes or turn off cruise control. The dealer just replaced the master cylinder hoping that will cure the problem So doI! Nissan should spend more money on the interior. It feels like all the money was spent on exterior design.

• 

  2500 sv high roof - 2012 Nissan NV
  By marvin356 - May 10 - 10:39 pm

  2012 sv2500 high roof 5.6 V8 all options. Great leg room, most comfortable truck I have owned. Insulated and panled inside. Fuel miliage not so good. Try to drive for best fuel miliage .13.2 mpg hand calc.

• 

  No more cars for me... - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Dan - May 7 - 11:56 am

  My partner and I purchased this together, and aside from a few little issues (a rattle under the dash and a disappearing luggage rack end cap)we love our Pathfinder! We compared all the big brands for SUVs, and we have never owned Nissan before, but we fell in love with the styling, the ergonomics, the heated leather, the AMAZING handling in snow and icy conditions (more so AFTER we bought)and the power under the hood! The Inside line review issues with interior and exterior construction seem to have been resolved in production. As we are both husky tall-ish guys, I can tell you, there is plenty of shoulder room up front, and ample leg room in back. Get one, youll love it!!!

• 

  Paint Problems - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By baileyz - May 7 - 5:56 am

  Other than the problems with the hood paint we love the xterra. The hood has factory damage which appears as light swirls under the clear coat but on top of the paint. There is also environmental damage which appears as a bubble in the paint on the hood, which I am told will come off and leave exposed metal. I feel that the damage came from the dealer as the car sat on their lot for quite awhile before I purchased it. I have spoken to dealer and Nissan and they only offer to repaint. I dont want a repainted vehicle... I would take another hood off of another vehicle or a trade up with paying some of the difference if there was any. Not satisfied brand new and suggesting repaint. UGGGHHHH!

• 

  Like it OK so far. - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By JD - May 7 - 5:50 am

  Looked at both the Frontier and the Dakota. Chose the Frontier (storm grey color, steel grey int) due to proven reliability, also the interior materials looked much better than the Dakota. Frontier has a quiet car-like ride to it, outstanding getup and go when you need it. A/C is good and cold, getting 20-21 mpg so far on hwy. The bed extension works really well when slid up near the cab to keep stuff from sliding all over the bed. With 2 boys, cup holders throughout the truck come in real handy. Would have gotten LE Crew cab, wanted Blue exterior (cant get on SE), but would have had to have roof rack (standard on LE crew), which I thought looked ugly on truck.

• 

  Beautiful Junk - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By ScottieG - May 6 - 12:50 pm

  I bought my Max privately just after the ABS sensors and actuator were replaced @ Lancaster Nissan. 14,000mi later, I needed the very same work done by the same dealer. I refuse. I have had other items go bad @ a couple $100 here and a couple $100 there. The car is beautiful but full of knocking noises. The car is uncomfortable because I sit on the seats instead of in them. I owned a 93 Altima & a 96 Max. Both were of a much better quality than this car. I owned a Buick between the two Maximas & will go back when I can get rid of this car. I bought my 2004 Max based on a good reputation. I will never buy another Nissan. -ScottieG