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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  Best made sedan built in Mississippi - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Rusty Wolsleger - February 22 - 9:23 am

  No issues at all, great on MPG, Nashville to Jackson on a tank of gas! Comfort is great, compared to a old mans Camry, this is the car with style and reliability!

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  Not very happy with car - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By samantha - February 21 - 10:06 pm

  This car has the turning radius of a semi. It also has a very rough ride.

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  great truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Franks truck - February 21 - 4:23 pm

  Always dependable and I have to say this a manly feeling when you start to roll

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  Radiator / Trans Problem - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By joeferr1 - February 21 - 1:17 pm

  I like the Engine Power of SUV no Question ask. But when I read all the BAD REVIEW on this SUV, I feel very BAD. The RADIATOR problem for this vehicle the way they made it design flow. What I did to my TRANS hose that connect to the bottom of the radiator, I Disconnected & Bi-pass the hose & connect to trans Cooler. I thick the Nissan installed the VERY BAD R A D I A T O R...

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  fuel pump went out at 50k - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By A. Ellison - February 21 - 11:53 am

  I have a love/hate thing with this car. Its roomy for a compact car, great mpg, attractive, easy and comfortable to drive. The problem is, numerous recalls, fuel pump went out at 50k miles, just outside of warranty, and pretty expensive repair. Have had R headlamp go out every 90 days or so, turns out to be a fuse, and now the same with reverse lamp. I would not recommend this car, and it pains me to say because I have always loved/been loyal to Nissans. Update: about 6 months/approx 6 to 8 thousand miles later, the transmission went bad. My dealer quoted an almost $6,000 repair bill. Our payoff was less than that, so after pleading and arguing with Nissan North America, who basically told us we were on our own, we took our business elsewhere and traded in the awful car for a different brand. Not only are Nissans no longer quality vehicles, but Nissan North America doesnt give one thought if you are a loyal customer and have bought multiple vehicles from them. They will NOT stand behind their vehicles. Never again will I purchase another Nissan.

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  Great Looking car-good in snow - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Jersey Driver - February 21 - 2:36 am

  I currently have about 2k miles on the car. The Car handles excellent on the highway and in the city. It took a little while to get used to the brakes and the acceleration of the CVT. I recently drove in the snow storm of 2009. I had no problem keeping up with the snow plows. Handles great in rain, snow and icy roads.

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  Year and a half later with the Quest - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By sheggaw - February 20 - 6:00 pm

  We traded in a European luxury sedan for the Quest, an appropriate car for a growing family. Both me and my wife drive the van and it takes time to get used to it but once you get over the gas pedal softness, it becomes comfortable. Has ample power and gets OK gas mileage. Some of the materials they used to make the car are cheap and breakable. The only problem so far is the tire pressure sensor. Knowing that there are problems with the sensor by reading similar reviews, it seems like Nissan should have a recall for it. It accommodates 7 comfortably. From the outside, it is better designed than that the other box vans that you see on the road. The kids love it because of the ample space.

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  Three Year Review - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By dawg fan - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the 7th Nissan vehicle I have owned, and the second Maxima. I use it extensively on the interstates for business travel, and it has been a very dependable car. I have put nearly 80k miles on it, and it has only required tires (one set at 58k miles), brakes (pads at 59k miles and front rotors and all pads at 78k miles), and a serpantine belt change (along with regular oil changes, and oil and air filter changes). A very quick, agile GLE.

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  I studied the rest and bought the best! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By retirin99 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Researched several SUVs including Lexus, Acura, BMW, Honda, Pacifica, etc. Found the Murano offers all that I want in a more spacious vehicle with a price tag $$ less than all others I considered. Traded in LS400 so my expectations were very high. I couldnt be happier with performance of engine and transmission. Love the extra room, styling, handling, comfort, and ammenities in Murano. Couldnt justify $9,000 difference for Lexus RX330. Nissan has a winner here---recommend highly!!

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  They built the better mousetrap - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Paul James - February 20 - 10:00 am

  By far the safest, smartest, and fastest vehicle I have ever owned. My sense of well-being and safety when operating my Murano has never left me since my first test drive. Owning one means being prepared to describe to curious citizens just how beautiful of a car it is, and they do asked every time Im stopped somewhere.