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:

• 

  Sun Visors Dangerous - 2010 Nissan Cube
  By Sandra - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Visors are too big, they come down to low, blocking most of drivers front windshield view. Have to push all the way back towards window and still its hard to safely see out. Also they are not wide enough to help block sun through side window except for about 2" of very front area. Coming over Pacheco Pass with grand kids and we had sun directly through front window. Even my teenage grandson had a hard time maneuvering his visor. Plus trying to quickly adjust from front window to side was so dangerous, I almost wrecked into the guard rail a couple of times. I am very uncomfortable with these visors Now we have to find visors to buy that fit and do the job the right way. Anyone else agree?

• 

  Awesome Vehicle / Bad Transmission - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By OK - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in October 2008, with 62,000. The car is very roomy, sleek, and sexy. By the way it is very fast for a V6 sedan. Everything was fine until about 85,000, and I noticed a jerking when driving after awhile. I took it into the dealer, and they said that they feel the jerking, but the warranty that I purchased didnt want to fix it right away, they recommended that I do a transmission flush, which I did. As soon as I left the lot, the jerking reoccurred, I drove it till the transmission got worst, took it back and the warranty will NOW replace the transmission. Also the air conditioner went out, motor mounts were shot also. All this under 100,000, thank goodness.

• 

  Good car BUT Wind Noise!! - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By 1MuranoOwner - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Excitement of the new car purchase did not last long. Our AWD SL 360 package came with in built wind noise. The dealership insisted that the wind noise is not an issue and they branded it as normal operation. But for 35K car I expect it not be noisy on a long drive.We do a lot of long drives and listening to music on a windy day is frustrating. Driving this car is fun if you dont cross 60 mi/hr. Love the Bose Music system.

• 

  Follow-up - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Jimbo - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Hate the r-view mirror, had better mirrors years ago with normal views & could adjust if lights behind you were a problem. Mirror gets too dark with the auto-dim thing which does not work, have had 2 of these mirrors (got 2nd with camera system) both same problem, light & button useless because light goes on & mirror reverts back to the dark auto-dim view every 5 mins after you turn it off, no matter if its day or night or anyone is behind you or not, wish I could disable the auto-dim function, regular view is dark enough. R elbow rest on center console should be way more forward-- even with my long arms (I am tall) my right elbow just barely catches the very end of it.

• 

  Made cheap - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By haynie3 - October 27 - 11:18 pm

  We bought our van in 2008 thought it would be great to own a brand new vehicle. Well within 1 year the mirror visor broke off and the arm rest fell off and the rubber seals on side doors came off. Well today i was driving and there was a flapping noise, I looked back and it was the metal insert on top of the van,where you would have the racks at flapping on the side of van, i had to pull over and get before it hit someones vehicle. It just seems like the veichle is made cheaply, when only having a short time.

• 

  Love it so far. - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By jeffrn - October 27 - 1:15 am

  I bought this car used. It has 40k miles on it but feels and looks new (kudos to previous owner). This car is a huge step up from my former SUV which as we all know was clumsy and a gas hog. This car is like a toy for me. It zips when I need it to and stops when I need it to. Corners like a champ and is full of features. Excellent car for the price.

• 

  funnnnnn - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By bart - October 26 - 7:33 pm

  great all around sports car that does everything well. I have the Grand Touring model. The ride is good, power is linear and predictable, trans (auto) is smooth and shifts up and down well, interior is functional and fits well. Hey, this is a sports car after all, things are tight but not uncomfortable and I am 62.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By jaba - October 25 - 9:10 am

  I bought this car 1 1/2 yrs ago & have no problems with it at all. About the front seats, the upper lumbar is angled too far back so you never really can press your back against it. I love the interior, very spacious inside although the ext design makes it appear more sleek. I recently took it for a 1000K mile trip w/ 3 adults and 3 children. It was very easy ride, comfortable and felt safe. Lots of power and gas mileage was very good on hwy. It sure stinks in the city though (15/24).

• 

  So far so good - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By BD - October 25 - 5:50 am

  Bought a black Roadster Enthusiast on 2/21 - so far so good. The fun factor is off the scale - I love the throaty growl when you put your put into the accelerator and the ride and handling is great. Interior comfort is good and we went without leather since were in Arizona. With the top up blind spots are severe but manageable. The trunk is acceptable - much better than the Crossfire we test drove. Wind noise is noticable, but you can have a conversation with the top up or down. I have a concern about the tire feathering and will keep an eye on that issue as we drive. Were expecting many, many years and tons of miles from this quality Nissan product.

• 

  DONT BUY - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By antonioevans12 - October 24 - 11:52 pm

  Do not buy this car unless you have thousands of dollars for a transmission! It drives fine, until the car really warms up, then of to jerking it goes. The longer you drive the worse it gets. Never drive this car in stop-n-go traffic, you are guaranteed an accident. I know its stylish and sexy but please stay away.