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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  Watch Out from Behind - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By sw1974 - July 14 - 1:00 am

  I bought my 2009 Rogue S used with 14K miles on it. I had researched it & heard about the rear view issues, but WOW! It is bad. The blind spot on each back corner is a complete design flaw and must be fixed with larger windows in new versions. Its not so much the back window as it is the 2 small side windows. Its a real danger if you ask me, but the rest of the car is fine. I had an 07 Honda CR-V before this one and theyre comparable. I dont mind the CVT transmission and feel the car accelerates better than my CR-V did. I have had no issues in these first few months. Gas mileage is great. AC is COLD, which is nice. The sound system-- the factory version, not Bose--is still good quality.

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  Tapioca - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By ssj - July 13 - 2:16 am

  Ive owned the Frontier for over 8 months now, and I am selling it today. Any major problems? No, just a coolant leak. Maybe I am too young and immature yet, but the truck, while not bad in any particular way, is just not what I was looking for. I would keep it if perhaps if I needed a truck and wasnt using it as a daily driver.

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  Disappointed Nissan Fan - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By TN - July 12 - 9:26 pm

  I owned 3 Sentras before this one and a 97 Maxima and Nissan truck. Loved them all. Not this one. It does get good mileage but considering how underpowered it is should do better. The tires it came with were terrible. I replaced them with Falkens on 17" rims and it sure did make the car look nice IMO. (But thats probably just me, the car never seems to turn anyone elses head.) Things I hate: -often does not start on first try -clunky shift from first to second -too underpowered to maintain 65 mph during cruise control without down shifting -drivers side door seal leaks when driving in rain -Service Engine Soon light on at 60 K -lack of safety equip -seats do not go back far enough

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  Great truck, too many problems @6,000 mi - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By stoneman - July 12 - 5:43 pm

  Excellent looking, powerful, fun to drive truck. I get complimants almost daily about the looks. I currently have 6,000 miles, i have had all rotors and pads replaced as i had a nasty braking shimmey. Nissan had a service bulletin an this. Now my transmisson case is dripping fluid, my drivers window is loose and rattles when not shut tight. My one big disappointment when i purchesed it is it has no climate control, this is a $36,000 vehicle!! 2006 models no have it. I waited a model year before buying, i have contacted Nissan and am curious if i hear from them, other than that its back to the dealer for my newest repairs. I honestly love the truck!!!

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  Unhappy 2 the Max - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By bizyB - July 11 - 10:56 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used, after trading in my Acura RL (mistake!). With this car you feel every bump. My passenger side door has become so hard to close, that you get a work out every time you close it. My ABS sensor went bad which cost me big $$$ before they found out what was causing my brakes to make such an awful noise. When I first got it the power steering came and went whenever. I see why the younger crowd like the car, it is fast and sexy, but us older guys like luxury with our speed. I am trading it for a BMW the first chance I get.

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  Rumble noise in engine/transmission above 20MPH - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By sadnissanowner - July 11 - 1:25 am

  After my retirement, I drove for a local Nissan dealership, as a dealer trade driver. I was very impressed with the 2012 Altima, so I purchased a new 2013 Altima. This was a big mistake! Mistakely, I assumed that the engine and transmission would perform the same or even better than the 2012. How wrong I was! I love the car and everything it offers, but this rumbling noise from about 20mph onward is driving me nuts. I must trun up the radio to drown out the noise. I drove the 2012 Altimas for thousand of miles while doing my job, with complete satisfaction in the vehicle. Please dont make the mistake as I, and purchase this vehicle. I hope someone comes out with a class action suit

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  MY EXPERIENCE - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ROGER - July 10 - 7:06 pm

  Great engine sound. Very fast. Excellent exterior and exterior design. Lower than expected actual MPG. My only problems are the fact that the truck doesnt handle well on highway at fast speeds of 75-80MPH. I dont feel safe driving that speed in this truck but did so with ease in my previous truck hade by another company. Other complaints are radio controls, no rear defroster and no locking doors when truck is out of park. So far, everything else is GREAT!

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  Mad as HELL! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mr. mom - July 10 - 10:00 am

  We have love our Quest for three years now. We got it used. Im 65", my wife is 511" and our kids are going to be huge we know that already. lol so the room is what we needed we got it. We ALSO got a van that has had and continues to have transmission issues. The trany was replaced two years after we got it and were told that it was never serviced. Nissan says every 30,000 it needs a flush and fill. so the new rebuilt trany is now giving us a fit and Nissan keeps telling us they "cant reproduce the issue" even after the dealer ship having the van for 26 DAYS.The timing chain is making a ticking noise thats not covered by the warranty because it has 45 parts and 10 are covered by them.

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  Great overall car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By OneCoolGi - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car 2 months ago with just over 40,000 miles on it. The car took me by surprise when I first sat in the car, much roomier than it looks from the outside. The car is also very fast, I burnt rubber right out of the dealership on the test drive. Passing speed is no problem, it does it in the blink of an eye. I just drove from NJ to NC and got 32 mpg, at an average speed of 75 mph. City driving it will get 21-22 mpg. Overall its getting 26 mpg combined. All-in-all a great car for the money. Great fuel economy for the power that comes with it. Interior is very nice, lots of gadgets. Great look too. only problem is that I see a ton of them on the road.

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  Like the Rogue - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By lilbit - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my rogue in May and I really like it. The gas mileage is great for getting me too and from work in the Atlanta area. I looked at other small suvs and found the rogue to be the roomiest for a vehicle of its size. I have the navigation system in my rear view mirror and when it is on, there are times when it shuts off during normal driving, then comes by on. The next time its in the shop, will have it looked at.