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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  Bad back seat - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By Mary Grow - April 15 - 12:32 pm

  Only a very small kid can fit in middle of back seat. Also the buckles in middle of back seat dont recess so you ride on hard buckles and they feel auful.salesman said you need not worry because I will be driving

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  Bad back seat - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By Mary Grow - April 15 - 12:11 pm

  Only a very small kid can fit in middle of back seat. Also the buckles in middle of back seat dont recess so you ride on hard buckles and they feel auful.salesman said you need not worry because I will be driving

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  Its O.K. - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By joe from florida - April 15 - 10:00 am

  My car has 80k miles now, and if you want a reliable car this is the one. But if you are looking for great features, look elseware. The "leather" feels fake, and does not come with some amenities found in comparably priced vehicles. Exterior has bad paintjob and scratches easily. Interior has very weak plastic parts such as door handles and console area.

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  one year checkup - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By sham payne - April 15 - 10:00 am

  excellent vehicle

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  the second car becomes my first car - 2013 Nissan Leaf
  By seattle_ite - April 13 - 5:46 pm

  I was not convinced about buying the leaf at all. It looked weird and all the popular auto mags did not seem convinced. A friend convinced us to take a second look and we bought it as a second car ... that was four months ago. So far... - The lease + gas is approx the cost of my previous monthly gas bill. I am basically driving a new car for no extra cost. - - I have taken out my gas car about once a month ! I visited my Costco gas station after four months !!! Its comfortable, spacious and very well equipped. I would have preferred to buy the SV with the BOSE + cameras in hindsight. Bottom-line: if you commute < 60 miles / day, buy a leaf - you wont regret it.

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  Running Rogue - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By lisa hogan - April 13 - 4:35 pm

  This is my third Nissan Rogue and each one is better than the last. The car is comfortable for a wide range of heights, Im 52" and my friend is 64" and we both fit comfortably to drive with good visibility. The Rogue is the only car that I found that has the surround monitor where I can see 360 degrees around the car with the four cameras. The navigation system is very easy to use and the bluetooth quality has improved since my last Rogue. Acceleration is okay, but not great; we make jokes about the "roar of the four". All in all, I am happy with this car and the deal I got and when this lease is up, I will probably lease another Rogue.

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  Didnt want it but glad I got it. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Brandon Jones - April 12 - 8:03 pm

  Ive owned my car for 3 years and drive heavily, around 24,000 mi/yr. I havent had any problems with it other than changing a blown bulb. I have about 85000 mi on my vehicle now. This model is roomy, drives well, and is pretty good on gas considering its a family sedan. The interior controls are plain to me. If I didnt drive such long distances to work I would probably keep it. $3 a gallon even with average gas mi. can sting. Overall a solid purchase!

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  Much Better Now!! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By gaptozak - April 12 - 5:10 pm

  I just traded in my 2004 Nissan Armada for the 2005 Model.Its like night and day.The 2005 has a considerable improvement with the interior build quality. The ride is cushier, softer than the brash and hash 2004 model. Interior cabin is a whole lot quieter, the engine roar has been deadened. Better overall interior materials and lay out. Love the rear camera view when backing up or out.This Vehicle is the best full size SUV in its class. Nissan has listened and have delivered.

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  Love it But, Not Dependable - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By txgreg61 - April 12 - 2:43 am

  I bought a 2.5 SV in October 2012 and issues began within a few days of purchase. The car is comfortable and responsive for a 4 cylinder. The first 2 issues were a vibration when the engine was under a load and the other was some electrical issues. The driver side door lock would actuate repeatedly without my doing anything and the window would go half way down or up then return any time I pressed the button. The passenger side air bag warning light stayed on much of the time. After 18 months and 27,000 miles, the electrical issues persisted, the alternator went out and so did the transmission. I replaced it with a 2013 3.5 SL and within a week the transmission started acting up.

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  Radiator Assembly Problem - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By cookdough - April 11 - 10:14 pm

  I bought my 2005 Pathfinder used in October 2008. It now has 74,500 miles. I read all the horror stories about the radiator assembly so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had the dealer replace it before the extended warranty even expired. I had no evidence of any problem but did not want to risk ruining the transmission. Woodbury Nissan in NJ charged $843 (parts & labor) to replace the radiator assembly, but the piece of mind was worth it. Maybe if Nissan ever decides to recall, Ill be reimbursed. Im not holding my breath. And yes... Ill never buy another Nissan.