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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  Poor gas mileage, no suspension at all! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Alex - September 14 - 2:30 pm

  Im leasing an 08 Altima 2.5s, which Im ok with, as long as it takes me to work and back, not for fun. But I do not like a lot of things about it: GAS mileage is not going over 23.5 mpg probably like 60-40 hwy-city driving. I am not an aggressive driver, I accelerate slowly, computer shows that Im getting 30-40 mpg but its wrong all the time. It rides like there is no suspension at all, very stiff ride, noisy engine. I dont know if thats only my Altima, no good MPG, stiff suspension.

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  Aviod this car - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By bvetmed - August 31 - 8:11 pm

  Since purchasing this car new, I have had nothing but problems. The moon roof hose kinked causing water damage of carpets. Nissan repaired the hose but refuses to clean carpets or covering the cost of cleaning the carpets. The acceleration has become sluggish even on premium gasoline. Navigation system has towns listed as both "town of XXX, state" and XXX, state". For any given address searched, one will work, one will result in a "no information available". Also the navigation does not assume you want a point of interest near you. It will list all even those > 80 miles away. Heated seats take greater than 10 minutes to warm up. AC is very good and cabin climate control is great. H

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  Think Twice - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Bulova - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I got the Maxima as a trade in at first the car was nice. Then things just started to happen. I noticed the fog lights would sweat when I washed the car. Then I noticed the drivers seat would tilt back when you take off. I also noticed that my rear bumper didnt fit right. And I also noticed a noise coming from the front of the car. And I called Nissan to see if the car was part of the recall and they told it wasnt. I took the car into the dealership and they said the noise I was hearing was part of the recall. So much for a car company knowing its vehicles.

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  STAY AWAY FORM THIS VEHICLE - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sunflowergrl - August 27 - 10:00 am

  I have filed a BBB suit against Nissan, that is how many problems I have had with this vehicle. In the garage more than on the road. Maybe it will be better when they get all the bugs worked out, but I got stuck with a Lemon that they dont want back!!!!

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  Bad CVT Transmission - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By neddnee - August 26 - 11:14 pm

  Unfortunately, my 2010 Rogue has begun to give me problems when driving up hill. I lose power and the car does not accelerate even when I have my pedal to the floor. The local Nissan dealership had my car all day and their conclusion for my problem was that the cars safety mechanism turns on so the transmission wont overheat. Well I guess thats fine except for when Im driving in 75-80 mph traffic and my car suddenly loses power. Thats not really safe. I really hope that this problem is resolved and these cars are recalled.

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  BEWARE!! .. SV Daytime Running Lights do not work! - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By B. Clark - August 4 - 2:58 pm

  The list of 2016 Altima SV Standard Equipment in Nissan Literature includes "Daytime Running Lights". Even though the lights are installed near the headlights, they DO NOT WORK!! I called the Nissan Consumer "Care" line. Their response.. "use your fog lights instead" .. turns out they know the lights dont work and THEY REALLY DONT "CARE". I am now making an appeal to the BBB Auto Line claiming fraud. I understand my chances are remote.. but Im upset. If you are looking at the 2016 Nissan Altima SV, make sure the sales person demonstrates that the mounted daytime running lights really work.

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  lemon vehicle - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By frances - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Has been to service department 7 times since purchase. Problems with interior lighting--see service bulletin, loose steering column, fuel chamber leak, transmission shift knob came out and broke, overall very frustrating experience since purchase.Current complaint filed with Better Business Bureau

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  unreliable and annoying - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By abelanger - July 27 - 2:10 am

  First car I ever bought new. Had fun driving for a few years, but had 1 serious engine problem (a screw came loose and fell into the piston chamber, would have destroyed the engine if not caught. Had many many many problems with body interior and exterior. Gas cover bent so badly I couldnt open to fill my tank anymore. Replaced, and a year later it happened again. Gave up replacing and now I just drive without the cover... Looks ridiculous. Inside everything is falling apart: standard shifter cover broke within months, doors and glove comp. Rattle, moldings fall off and break... Body not only looks and feels cheap in/out, it really is cheap. I will never buy Nissan again.

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  junk!!! - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By tattoome81 - July 25 - 5:56 am

  overpriced piece of junk. this is by far the worst riding car ive driven or been in. you feel every bump in this car even if the road looks smooth you feel everything, and god forbid you are accelerating when you hit a bump, you better be holding on to the steering wheel with two hands as tight as you can. besides the ride its not a user friendly interior either. the position of the power windows is on the dash toward the left of the steering wheel, making it almost impossible to adjust the mirrors while driving. 36k and no memory seats or heated mirrors?! what a waste of money. horrible gas mileage

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  Quality should be a concern - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By Will Moran - July 25 - 3:36 am

  Titian LE Off Road. I have owned it since the day it was new. I have had nothing but problems after 35000 miles. The bakes and rotors were completly destroyed at 11,000 miles at 40,000 miles the differential was blown out and was showing transmission problems. I took my extended warranty to dealership and found nothing wrong with it. Know till this day the transmission is almost completely blown out of it and I have tried to set a case up with Nissan and I have had no response or assistance. My warranty is good for 100,000 mile platinum pro. I do not work in construction or pull heavy trailers. Common day use back in forth to work occasionally four wheel drive in the winter