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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  driven-2002 Altima 3.5 SE - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By clank44 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my vehicle in January. I do an extensive amount of driving as a sales rep and find the vehicle comfortable even for extended trips and extremely fun to drive. Performance is impressive and mileage is reasonable for that performance. I am very satisfied to date.

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  Motors are junk - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By steve - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I will never buy another nissan altima or nothing in nissan the motors are junk and will not hold up i have spent a fortune on this junk pile and i am going to buy another car as soon as possible shame on you nissan for selling junk!

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  Nice at the begining, then deception! - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By James - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle when I bought it: Nice design, comfort, fun to drive, and thinking about the Japanese quality I was expecting a really nice quality vehicle. But one month after the purchase the battery died, was replaced under the warranty but still a hassle. Then at 15,000 miles the reas sonar alarm sound died and I have to replace the speaker by myself. otherwise you ended paying around $300 to the dealer. Then at 28,000 miles the rear door mechanism broke, a poor soldering nut to the frame of the door. Then at 30,787 miles (just few days ago) the speedometer is showing a higher speed, the gauge does not come back to zero, so you ended with 10 miles more your current speed, want more.

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  My second armada - 2010 Nissan Armada
  By duckman - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my second armada i also owned a 2005 se i love the power and reliability we use ours to tow a travel trailer extensively the self leveling rear end never gave us a problem and the power this unit has a fully loaded 29 trailer fells like your not pulling any thing ive owned fordm Chevy and dodge you can keep em these are in my opinion the most comfortable, powerful,and reliable suv/truck 4x4 on the market.

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  Dont Buy 2005-2006 Pathfinders - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By runnermcm - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I am having the same problems that others have noted here and on the Edmunds discussion board about the radiator and the transmission. The tranny is failing, but Nissan of Omaha says they cant find anything wrong despite riding with me and it slipping (acts as if it is in neutral) - goes to 6 RPM and you say at 40 mph for a while - just one example. Woodhouse Nissan confirmed my problem but Nissan of Omaha has to be the one to fix it and so far they wont. The radiator was replaced after it flooded the tranny and they flushed it, but that didnt solve it. There are at least 3 class action lawsuits. Im not letting it end here. I will keep all boards I post on updated with progress/advice.

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  Buyer beware! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By kfop - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used 05 Pathfinder in January of this year. Within a month of owning the vehicle, began having the transmission problems that everyone talks about on here (radiator fluid mixing w/ transm. fluid) completely destroying the transmission and radiator. Also began having the fuel sensor problem that everyone talks about. This all occurred between 65K - 70K miles. Dont take just my word for it. Read all of the bad reviews online for this vehicle for the tranny and fuel sensor problem. New tranny costs $5,000. To top things off, the gas mileage is awful on this vehicle (16 mpg best I ever got) I highly suggest you stay away from this vehicle.

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  Fantastic Ride! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By MacGeek - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Maxima a year ago, and its amazing! Great performance, very responsive acceleration and breaking. Beautiful car inside and out. It has never broken down, never failed to start, no problems. Just routine maintenance.

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  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Dick - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This is our second and when the lease is up next April, we will most likely lease another. It is a good, solid car that performs well with no trouble. This is my wifes car so I expect it to be a safe, easy to drive car. I wish the gas mileage was better but we live with it. Love the car as does my wife.

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  Love my Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By Kelly - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my car one week but their arent many reviews yet so I thought Id comment as a female driver. I love driving this vehicle. The Juke truly is a blast to drive, maybe too much fun. I have to put on the cruise or Ill be getting a ticket for sure. The get up and go (great for passing) and cornering are fabulous especially in an AWD drive vehicle. I was looking for an affordable vehicle with AWD, good gas mileage and car-like handling. This is it. Cant really fairly comment on the gas mileage (break-in period and all)or reliability yet. The hatch area is small but okay for groceries.

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  NIssan will roll backwards - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By Ken NH - November 12 - 2:00 am

  In July I purchased a new 2010 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X4 . With the new purchase I quickly discovered that when stopped on a hill, while in drive, the vehicle rolls backwards. It will similarly roll forward if in reverse and stopped when backing up. I now know there is a “Hill start assist” that allows the driver to stop on an incline, release the brake and not roll back for two seconds.” But after two seconds the vehicle rolls as if in neutral and will roll backwards unimpeded. Some assist. As effective as the Emperor’s New Clothes. Unaware of this “assist” I reported the problem to the dealership and I was told when on a hill I would have to “two pedal it.