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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  lemon?? - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By lynn - March 10 - 7:26 pm

  So $31k and 15 trips to the dealership later, needless to say, def never buy a Nissan again. Cheap interior components, rotten egg smell, chipping paint & peeling grille, falling headliner, etc. etc. Too many probs, not enough cooperation from dealership; they never fix ANYTHING. A total disappointment. Ive spent more $ on rental cars than I spent on the warranty itself. It is fun to drive, but the issues Ive had outweigh the 265hp engine. The interior suede door panels are hard to keep clean & the mpg stinks. It is an extremely safe car (been in front end & rear crash). But, not worth the money or the dozens of trips to the dealership. Blah. HATE IT. Never make that mistake again!

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  Nissan rules - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By bambam1962 - March 9 - 9:26 pm

  I/we own a 1997 maxima, with 197900 mileage, never been in the shop.. replaced only the alternator and a heater sensor behind the glove box which was simple.. OK as of this one the 2008 just purchased 12/18/09 so far so good.

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  Still going strong - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By chuckb - March 9 - 6:20 pm

  I now have around 98K on this truck. I bought it in 2003 with 23K. Overall, it has been very reliable and comfortable, but the repair bills have been adding up. I guess thats to be expected with any nine year old vehicle. Did need the exhaust system from the converter back replaced twice. Also had to go for rotors once and recently did the timing belt and water pump. The only real surprise as far as repairs was that the wheel bearings became scorched and had too much play. They were expensive as there are two sets in the front. The bearings, seals, races and a sway bar linkage was almost $1000, more than the timing belt and water pump. Still, it has never failed to start or stranded me.

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  one year old! - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By steve suher - March 9 - 12:06 pm

  Actually, I have two NAHs, both purchased March 07. I have loaded one with tech package, roof, etc., now have 34,000 miles, my wifes slightly loaded, she has approx 6000 miles. MPG as expected, for my car up until winter was averaging 34 - 35 mpg (mostly hwy driving) My wifes car, slightly better (more (suburban stop & go). I do keep very accurate gas records so these figures are actual consumption, not per computer (which is always higher by 5 to 7% MPG dropped to around 30 mpg for both vehicles, I suppose winter fuel and cold weather negatively impact mpg. Otherwise, no issues at all, very pleased with both vehicles.

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  Transmission problems - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By sygriff - March 9 - 6:44 am

  I would not recommend the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Wait until they get all the bugs out. I started having problems with the transmission a few days after buying the Pathfinder. Took it back in to the dealer but they could not find anything wrong with it. A month or so later I get a recall notice about the transmission. Went in for the "fix"...and it began acting up on the way home, which means the"fix" did not work. I live 1.5 hours from the dealership and I am taking it in for the third time after the recall "fix". Dealership never can find anything wrong with it, but they only drive it around the block...no wonder. Very, very disappointed and now stuck with it.

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  Improvements needed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By pmich - March 8 - 6:10 pm

  We test drove many minivans on the market before buying our Quest. The space was one of the main reasons we chose it. We love our Quest on trips with our 3 kids. The performance of the car is top notch. auto sliding doors are a problem in the winter. Ours wouldnt shut because it froze. Dealers are not properly trained in how to service vehicle. I am one of the fortunate ones whos door stopped rattling after recall. The DVD/sound system is great. Love the info center. It didnt take long to get used to. Plan on keeping this vehicle for a while assuming the issues that Ive read about dont occur on this one.

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  primus - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By primus - March 8 - 2:00 am

  excellent vehicle with great handling and love that four by four when needed.

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  primus - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By primus - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, good looks and handling very reliable

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  New Altima - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By newaltima1 - March 7 - 1:55 am

  I traded in a 2010 Honda Civic because I was looking for a bigger car as I am 62" tall. The selling point for me is the gas mileage. I was averaging 31 with the civic, do a little better with the Altima but its a bigger car. All the bad reviews on here scared me at first, but I think those may be the first 2013s released. No problems with mine (1,000 miles) yet. Car is very quite and smooth. Steering is different, does wander a bit, may be the tires. Again, it is a bigger car than Im used to. Good luck, very pleased thus far.

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  Its an OK suv but a Good Deal - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Chris - March 6 - 3:30 am

  Well, after having went through the process of suv shopping, my wife decided that she liked the Pathfinder the most our. Its an LE with all options except Nav or Sat radio. After owning it for a few days, we have agreed that we should have also included the Nav. We negotiated a great price. Sticker was $37,450, we settled at $33,900, which was about $600 below factory invoice. The interest rate was 4.49%. So, good luck. Its a ok vehicle. The fact that the gas mileage is poor coupled with the fact that premium unleaded is suggested leads me to believe that the posted yearly gas cost is a low figure. The door construction is poor, one can see the, what I believe are brace lines in the panel