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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  AWD Performance Poor - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By sarah - March 1 - 10:00 am

  My purchase was in the spring so in trusting my dealership to be honest with me as a loyal customer they badly misrepresented the performance of the AWD feature on the Rogue, I feel it is a high priced enhanced traction control and as far as AWD in the snow its awful! thanks Ken Ganley Nissan. the AWD engages maybe for a split second if that and you still slide all over the road, live and learn that sales people only care about the almighty $$ not you as a loyal customer. If you want good, safe performance in the snow get a AWD vehicle that engages and stays engaged in AWD/ 4x4.It was new to me so an expensive lesson!

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  Im getting a little scared... - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By cori1 - February 27 - 11:30 pm

  I have a 2013 Sentra SL- At 2837 miles, The car went completely dead- electric system shut down. It was in my garage so no safety issue- Had the car towed. Local dealership said it was an internal failure in the IPDM. After 4 days and replacing this, car ran fine. Nissan paid for a 3 day rental. It happened again last night- approx. 11,000 miles- dead as a doornail. Spent the morning waiting on a tow, setting up a rental car, etc. Waiting to hear from the dealer. Nissan has promised a 3 day rental but COME ON GUYS! Im a single Mom- no one to help me get to work- no work, no pay! I thought I was getting a RELIABLE car- AM I GOING TO BE ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS like the GM DRIVERS? IM SCARED!!

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  Ok Car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Tyler Vanderslice - February 26 - 10:44 am

  I bought my 04 maxima in 05 with around 40k on it and it now has 170k. I love the look and power of the engine. Its style still looks great on the road. I bought the car b/c of style and reliability. The tranny went out around 50k miles(fortunately I had and extended warranty). The CD player went out twice and I always had problems with the heat going out in winter and ac in summer. I was very optimistic about the car but around 150k it just started having continuous problems. The power steering line leaked, the radiator and thermostat went bad and every sensor in the world seems to go bad annually( and it is over 200+ to fix each, 5 different ones have went out). I love the car and have had it for over 10 years but unfortunately I will not buy another one and will stick to toyota or Honda. Nissan just has too many little problems and is not very reliable.

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  Humming sound - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Gail allen - February 23 - 11:39 pm

  Had to dealership 2 times they say it is power steering ? Concerned .? POWER STEERING .?

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  Quest for Excellence...Keep looking! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By hjr - February 22 - 5:46 pm

  If you are looking for a high quality vehicle with great reliability look somewhere else. Our van has been into the shop too many times to count since we purchased it. The majority of the problems have been with rattles and creaks on the doors as well as the front doors not opening from the inside when you pull on the handle. There was also a problem with the transmission not shifting. The airbag light was also flashing which required two trips to fix. First was the wiring harness followed by the controller. The dealership was far less than helpful in getting these problems resolved. There basic mode of operation is that this is normal and we are too picky. Argh!!!

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  Reliable.. WHAT?! - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Nick B IL - February 20 - 1:40 pm

  Unfortunately I have not been as lucky as others who have posted here. I have had the computer go out at 70k, the rotors go out at 100k, the brake pads are replaced every other month, I get about 17 MPG. I have had the fuel filter replaced, the steering column replaced, and must do regular flushes to all fluids. I bring it in monthly to a mechanic (and have switched a few times just to make sure the mechanics werent messing with the car). Can anyone say lemon?

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  Disappointed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Not a happy consumer - February 17 - 6:46 pm

  When I first bought this vehicle I thought I was getting a good deal. I have had my car for 5 years and now I am told that I need $5000.00 dollars of engine work done on it. I have completed all my maintenance schedules. I paid the higher price for repairs and maintenance by getting all my work done at the dealer. I have had to replace the stereo twice in the last 5 years. The rubber molding around the door has come off numerous times. Maybe the newer models are better but make sure you get the warranty to cover yourself to 100000 miles, I didnt and now I have to pay. The car should have lasted longer than 5 years.

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  What a Disappointment - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Rodney H. - February 14 - 10:43 pm

  I purchased my 04 Maxima brand new and had high expectations. The first 3 years were relatively fine .... only minor inconveniences with recalls (sky view roof, heated seats) and minor mechanical issues. During the fourth and fifth years I had nothing but trouble ... motor mounts, transmission, computer errors, sensor trouble. It finally got to the point that the vehicle was unsafe for me to drive my children in ... I was afraid that it would sputter and stall with them in the vehicle as it ahd done to me alone on 2 prior occasions. Finally dumped it at the MBZ dealer and purchased an 08 C350

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  lemon law , two recalls one oil seal - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By lynn - February 9 - 2:27 pm

  this car is my wifes dream car. she loves body style and and the over-all performance . but on a recent road trip we encountered some snow and patches of ice on interstate 80 in Nebraska, and each time we hit a patch of ice, the car seemed to want to bring the rear-end forward. we were the slowest car on the road and had no clue as to why this was happening. tire pressures were sufficient , the wind was trailing, and we were carrying ample weight. after talking to a service manager and hearing of no probable causes, we have since learned of other customers with similar experiences. I would suggest that anyone considering buying this model or an Altima look into this problem. I am thoroughly disappointed with the handling of this car and will be looking at other means of transportation.

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  Disappointed Sentra owner - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By camrylover - February 3 - 4:06 am

  This car has been a huge disappointment for me. Any wind tends to blow it all over the road & it feels like I am wrestling a pickup or semi. The wind tends to suck the car sideways and blow it to the point that I have to turn the steering wheel 30 degrees off to hold it on the road on a day where the wind is 20 mph which sucks. Also on snowy days it tends to want to fishtail. Fuel economy is at best is 28 though typically 27 on the highway compared to my camry which got a solid 30. The seats are not comfy for anyone even slightly over weight as the location of the seat belts tends to jab, even 128lb daughter complains about it. Also the steering is very stiff.