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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  3 Months Later - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By RJATC - May 13 - 10:00 am

  After three months with the new 350Z the new car feeling has started to fade but the sheer fun of driving the 350Z is still way up there. A periscope would be nice for backing up and lane changing but it is, after all, a sports car and you have to accept a few minor inconveniences unless youre Bill Gates. Im not Bill Gates. The engine is just incredible with its strong pulling power from any gear at any speed but second and third will put you right back in your seat when you press the fun pedal. The performance edition does not have the Brembo brakes but when you decide youve had enough, the standard brakes still bring the car to a stop quickly and smoothly.

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  A fun car - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Orthoman - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had the Murano for 5 months. The dashboard has an annoying clicking sound and recently have been hearing some squeeking and crackling noises which are either coming from the suspenders or the shifting mechanism. will have it checked soon. The ride is smooth and stable. Milage is low for the gallon.

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  A great preowned SUV! - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Frank - May 12 - 8:06 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used with 106,000 miles on it only because it is a Nissan. Had it been any American car I wouldnt have considered it with that kind of mileage. I have to say what a great ride and feel it has. Still tight and quiet, like it was new! Very reliable as everything is in great shape. Very little signs of wear. The gas mileage has little to be desired, but is in line with todays SUVs gas mileage. Everything considered, I am extremely happy with this vehicle and would highly recommend it.

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  My First Car - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By Jodi - May 12 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car new in 1999. It has made several cross country trips and taken me to work and back for 8 years. I have never been stranded anywhere. It has been a great, reliable, practical first car. It isnt really "fun to drive". I often joke that I have two hamsters under the hood and one of them is tired. If you have a drink in the cupholders, it will block your radio controls. Both the 1 and the 6 preset buttons broke off about 4 years ago. The cruise control works great, but the button has a hole in it where Ive pushed it one time too many. Overall Ive loved this car, but Im excited to have enough money now to buy something with a little more luxury and style.

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  Revisited Nissan Maxima 2016/2017 in a nutshell - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Kevin Mawhinney - May 12 - 6:02 am

  With obvious reason, purchasing a car can be a big deal, after all it is the second largest purchase an average person will make. Most people going onto the lot are thinking two main things, price and look. If they did their research, a list of requirements will fall into place. With Nissan not releasing a 2015 model of the Maxima, it is for very good reason and the results are spectacular. Unlike some reviews where they review the low end and work up, Im going to start with the high end and work down hoping to matriculate the perspective of the other trim models of the vehicle. When I test drove the 2017 version of the Maxima, I was immediately awed by the look of it. It looked very aching to the 2015 concept car that Nissan was going to release, with some minor changes. The body shape is a much more sleek, and arrow dynamic design with the impression that it means business compared to its 2014 predecessor. Opening the door gave me the first impression of the "cockpit" that is one step out of the future. Sitting in the "cockpit" felt like I was being wrapped up in luxury, with all the electronics smiling back at me, ready to get on the road. Of course I had to take some time soaking it all in, and I took my time going through every detail from the comfortable D-shaped steering wheel that is wrapped up in soft, stitched leather to the center column. Turning on the car brought the steering column to me and the seat to it, adjusted previously to my body size and comfort. And the lights, dazzling displays of all manner of things from sensor read outs, to a very sophisticated control center. Leather stitching all over the place, with accent lighting makes this first experience rather nice. The seating with its exceptional "zero-gravity" seats felt like it completely hugged my back, which is very important to me due to my condition. The center console seems complex but I was able to easily navigate and understand it. The sound system with its 11 speaker Bose surround sound system, auto speed sensing and the "Driver Studio" mode that quite literally makes you feel like you are sitting in the front row of a concert. Unfortunately the "Driver Studio" mode is turned off by default. Looking up, I find myself once again in awe at the large panoramic dual moon roof. Looking in the back seat, it looks rather comfortable, but I cannot tell because I am currently in the front seat. Perhaps Ill get in the back seat later. After a bit of ooh and awing at the interior, its time to see what the rave is about the other aspect of this car, the performance. Revving the engine tells you this vehicle is definitely a 6 cylinder and it is ready to go. Upon first applying the accelerator, people will be mildly surprised at the jump into motion as the V6 300 horse power engine spurs the car forward, and man did it move. In "Sports Mode," the maxima was very responsive with the applying of the brakes, accelerating into high speeds, switching lanes and turns. In Manual mode, the shift needs some getting used to as the Gear ratio doesnt really account for much in way of torque at the higher 6000-7500 RPM range, resulting in the necessity of faster gear change in order to keep up with the speed increase to plateau. Im not terribly technically minded, but basically, I am losing about 3-4 gears of acceleration in order to continue increasing speeds at the higher RPMs. It isnt until I get to 6th gear do I actually feel the car moving again. If someone can present me with what each gear represents in torque and RPM, I might be able to see why this is the case. Overall the handling and performance was relatively nice, and I let off the gas to ease into cruising mode. This car felt very solid and luxurious and should be considered as the sports sedan, meeting both luxury and sport requirements.

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  Be Careful! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Regretting Purchase - May 11 - 2:40 pm

  First hour off the lot, I already had problems. I looked up at the pillar on the drivers side (the spot where the headliner meets above the window), and I see a wet spot. Had to take it back to the dealer. Apparently there was a blockage in the drain hose from the sunroof. Next day, I get a call. The front of the car is soaking wet. The evaporator has also malfunctioned. So I bought the car Wednesday, drove for a total of 40 miles (20 miles home, and then 20 miles to the dealership), and will finally be able to drive it again Friday afternoon.

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  Great truck BUT not so good truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By oldrunner - May 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck in 2006 and really liked it until the timing chain guides failed. Found on the internet that this is a common problem. There is also a tech bulletin out on it. But Nissan would not cover the repair. $1400.00 later it is running well again. Check the internet before you buy, there is a wealth of reliability info there.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By pmadd - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Have had our 2007 Murano for almost 3 1/2 years and have had 0 problems with it and have enjoyed it thoroughly during this time. It is fun to drive (for an SUV), handles exceptionally well, and has fairly good fuel economy for an SUV/crossover.

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  dollar-ed out - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By carikeli81 - May 7 - 10:53 pm

  I do love this truck but would love it more if I hadnt had so many issues...At 26,000 miles we had to fix the tension belt and just again at 59,000 miles! The fuel sensor failed and had to be replaced at 50,000. My tire pressure light will not go off even though it has been to the dealer no 4 times and now my air bag light is flashing and they said my extended warranty will not cover anything on it if they find something wrong with the airbag!? which I dont understand and is ridiculous to me. My husband informed me he will sell it if it continues to have issues! I always thought Nissans were well made vehicles guess I was wrong?

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  king of the wild - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Nissan - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Great small truck. I would stick with a 6cy model. Nissan has bulit this truck to run forever.