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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  so far so good!!! - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By tyfast - August 9 - 7:46 am

  I have about 39000 on my trunk now and it has been a good truck. The only problem i have had is the heater control switch will not move to thefull open position and the only way to six it is to take the hole dash off. So i just keep it at 80% and it is enough to keep me warm and the only other thing is the driver side door handle trim is coming off. I drive in the snow everyweekend on my way snowboarding, I still have a brand new set of of Tire chains i bought when i got the truck and they still have never been out of the boxes. Love the truck.

• 

  Good performer, bad gas mileage - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Tony G - August 6 - 10:20 am

  The truck is fast and looks great. I get a lot of compliments on the styling and I really like the way the rear doors open all the way. When looking to buy a truck, it was either going to be a Toyota Tundra or a Nissan Titan - I didnt waste my time with the American truck-makers (poor reliability, interior quality, fit and finish). My main complaint is the gas mileage - it uses a lot. Dont get the Off-Road package if you do a lot of freeway driving - I hate the stiff Rancho Shocks. Also, the drivers seating area could be a little wider. I would recommend this truck over any full size option on the market.

• 

  Slightly above average - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Rocklander - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Dont like CVT transmission at all. Slow acceleration, compared to other SUV like ML 320 or X5. Fuel economy on the highway - 18.5, on average. Rattling doors. Brakes are not adequate to the weight of the vehicle. Long stopping distance.

• 

  Cool for a Minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MarvinK - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Fear of first year run, but no problems so far. We were looking at getting anything BUT a minivan to replace our aging Town & Country, but the Quest had lots of room, good fuel economy and was cooler than a lot of the small & midsize SUVs we looked at! Biggest complaint is that many options are only available on SE, and SE needs more interior options (see below).

• 

  Great Start now improve it - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By barry eline - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Negatives: A problem is developing in the drive train. Has a lag or looseness while in drive (D) between 40-60 mph. Cup holders too deep for small cups. The stereo/climate display useless in day time while wearing polarized glasses. Too much road noise, Get the window washer nozzles off the hood. No hood prop. The positives: A vast improvement over 2000 Altima. They improved everything. Great acceleration. Outstanding fuel economy! I can get 30 + mph at 65 with no trouble.

• 

  Titan woes - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Bill - August 5 - 11:33 pm

  Vibration at 24 to 35 mph during acceleration or deceleration. Dealer balanced tires, no change in vibration. All dealer says is that the vehicle is drivable. Vibration does not seem to be related to engine rpm. In shop two times 1500 and 3000 miles. Dealer did not check driveshaft balance or carrier bearing on driveshaft. Only says could be tires. Tires show no abnormal wear. Tread depth across all treads 11/32. Sure would like to see dealer get enthused and find this aggravating problem.

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  Nice vehicle ... BAD brakes - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Sandi - August 5 - 7:16 pm

  Beautiful vehicle! WOW. I did however have it in the shop within 2,000 miles. There is a KNOWN defect on the braking system in the 2004 & 2005 Armadas & Titans that Nissan has chosen not to share with the customers unless it becomes a problem. Supposedly there are no parts available to make the repairs on the brakes at this time, so they are temporarily turning the rotors to keep the vehicle from "skipping" when attempting to stop. GAS mileage is horrible. If you enjoy spending time at the gas pumps, then this vehicle is meant for YOU. All jokes aside, it is a beautiful vehicle. I just wish they had shared the braking problem with me when I bought it.

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  Our Maxima has been AWESOME! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Wicksy - August 5 - 10:00 am

  It is sad to see all the issues some are having with their Maximas. Ours has been problem free and we hope this continues. If the new one wasnt so expensive we would look at upgrading. Great car, and a great value.

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  Doors swing hard, bad console - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By wudzwomn - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I read these before purchasing. Nissan must not read, still same issues from YEARS ago. The console is too low, no resting your arm on. And the doors swing hard, wide. Easy to door ding others if dont watch it. Otherwise I love my new truck so far. Only 3,000 miles. The bed extender rocks. No fog lights is weird. Cab is roomy. I traded my Toyota Tacoma. Got almost as much truck at much better price.

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  Great deal for a practical commuter! - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By NasserMA - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my mother and initially felt bad that I could not afford a nicer car for her. This completely changed once I got a chance to drive it! With the CVT, hatchback, upgraded interior this car is absolutely wonderful. I drove over 600 miles in one day and felt comfortable (Im 64"!) and relaxed. The CVT is extraordinarily smooth and efficient and had no problem with power up mountains. This car is awesome, a great commuter, and I managed an average of 34-35 MPG during the trip!