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 2004 beast - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Albert Chrost - October 24 - 1:06 pm

  I always feel funny vibration in the whhels, not the smoothest ride as I would like to have for vehicle over $40K. Also both front doors have strange clicking noise. Cant get rid of it. Its annoying!!! have only 2000 miles on it. During first service will make a list for correction. The car is hard to wash - even Embassy car Wash cant do it well; too many edges around the bumpers.

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  Great value but minor issue with quality - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By vicviper - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is truely a great value, a similarly equipted toyota or honda cost at least $2000 more. However, I do have some issues with the quality of this car. My power window switch and the map light tend to get stuck and refuse to pop out quite often. Otherwise, I found this car a lot of fun to drive.

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  Not perfect, but is still Nissans 4DSC - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By stracer82 - October 22 - 11:15 pm

  I bought my 2011 SV Sport right as the 2012s were coming out so I got a decent deal. I was really looking at Infiniti G37s but those dealers werent negotiating. The sport package is the best looking version, IMO due to the 19 inch wheels and smoked headlights, and its equipped with some of the extra goodies I would have wanted anyways. As of 9/17/12, I am just shy of 7000 miles on the odo.

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  comments - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By titan se - October 22 - 11:13 am

  quiet comfortable ride, fun to drive, has had some small problems, brakes, elect. issues, love the truck, very responsive.

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  Great at first but then a disappointed - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By DD9 - October 20 - 5:46 pm

  I went from owning an IS300 to something more reliable in the winter. The Xterra was my favorite compared to the 4runner. Right after the 60,000 mile warranty expired, problems, serious problems that should not occur on a relatively new vehicle. between 60k and 7ok miles shaking in the seat, took it to the mechanic and he said U joints, front and rear. After the initial replacement, more issues with rear wheel bearing, more random vibrating. 77k the heater/ac resistor went. $140 for that plus install, Livid at this point. Went to Nissan, no dice, telling me to go and pay for Nissan tech to diagnose. Terrible customer service from Nissan N. America. 3 weeks gone by, Mike has not called.

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  Coolant leaking into transmission fluid - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By clausl - October 20 - 9:34 am

  This is a known issue with Nissan 2005 and 2006 vehicles. (Currently the subject of a class action lawsuit.) Coolant leaking into Transmission destroys transmission, computer controlling transmission and radiator. Average cost for fix is ~$7,500 warranty extension offered by Nissan doesnt cover many drivers as the issue seems to often extend beyond the extended warranty of 8yrs / 130,000km. Some vehicles are not covered despite being within these two parameters. Nissan refuses to say why some vehicles of that year/type are excluded.

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  New Altima-OK Car - Nothing Special - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Reston, VA - October 19 - 2:00 am

  The new Altima is a nice, comfortable car, but nothing special. Have had several recalls in the last two years, and have had the clutch replaced in less than one year. One big problem with our car, is that it handles very poorly in wet (snow) weather. The car slides and does not stop very well when the roadway is wet/slick. I dont know if this is attributable to the tires, the weight or perhaps the weight distribution, but it can be frightening. In fact, my wife is nervous to drive the car when it rains or snows. Wouldnt buy the car again... need something much more fun to drive.

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  NISMO...................!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By busyburns - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my SE-R,-(Super,Excellent-Ride) its sporty & fun w/what we call a "sleeper" look - may not be too flashy but hauls you-know-what! The brace under the hood tells you something. Great ride, great sound, great price! Nissan definitely knows quality. That is, NISMO.

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  Great Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By dlb123 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this van about 2500 miles. Love the interior! It is comfortable and spacious for passengers. The luggage/grocery well in the back is great for trips to the store. Acceleration is fair to good, a bit too much shifting between gears as it speeds up for my taste, but trade off is decent gas milage. I have gotten around 27 mpg on the highway, 20 mpg for mixed driving. The car handles nicely, very comfortable to drive, handles snowy conditions well. Towing capacity is 3500 lbs, which is much better than the smaller SUVs we were considering. Would definately recommend this van!

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  First Maxima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Liu - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Just bougnt my first Maxima (GLE) w/roof and front side air bag. Got a good deal and very friendly service at the dealer. Loved it the first time drove it. Quiet and fast! Everyting is easy to control, even the audio controls are built on the steering wheel. Love the trip computer, too, but not the number on when you see your average gas milage.