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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  Where Oh Where Has Quality Gone - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By FORMER FAN - April 18 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Maxima since 1995. It is the most leading edge styling. Dont let that fool you. It is the worst car for quality Ive ever owned. I am shocked at how many quality errors passed inspection on this car! Its bad enough the steering radius is so large you cant turn into a parking stall without going back and forth. Things dont fit right. Things rattle in the doors. Leather seats sewn crooked. Greasy fingerprints behind the glass on the display panel. Worst of all is after 3 days back at the dealers, they fixed none of these items. NISSAN, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!

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  love it & disappointed - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By jacgutz - April 17 - 8:36 am

  I LUV MY Z, ITS FAST, AN EYE CATCHER, BUT I HATE THE BRAKES. AT 8000 MILES, I ALREADY HAD TO RESURFACE THE ROTORS, THE DEALER DID NOT CHANGE THE PADS, AND IT STILL SQUEAKS!! THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PADS WERE STILL GOOD & ITS ONLY THE GLAZE. BALONEY!!THEY SHOULD OF REPLACED MY PADS TOO!!MY HUSBAND WAS READY TO TRADE IT IN FOR A BMW.I SAID,IT DOESNT HAVE THE LOOK LIKE THIS CAR.SO,I WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE BRAKES FALL APART,THEN THE DEALER WILL SAY ITS TIME TO CHANGE THE PADS! BUT HOW FAST CAN YOU GO ON THE 91 FRWY IN CORONA CALIF? MAYBE 10 MPH!!!

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  Great Car for the Price - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Pamela Dean - April 15 - 10:27 pm

  Got average 28 mpg while driving 35 mph. Comfortable for driver…not so comfortable for passengers. One key entry went out causing me to be stranded. Could not open trunk without key entry because there is no place to insert the key. Replacing batteries did not fix the "key".

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  I really like it...but... - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By jhuck - April 14 - 7:53 pm

  I bought my 01 Pathfinder in 04 with 39,000 miles on it. I now have almost 113,000 miles. First let me say that I love the engine. It revs quick and has the power of a small v8. Overall it is holding up well but Ive had some issues. They are: 1 - 2 mass air flow sensors have crapped (when this goes the vehicle goes into safe mode and rev past 2000 rmp) 2 - 1 O2 sensor 3 - the drivers power seat has stopped going back and forth (im living with it as it stuck in my position) 4 - the stock Clarion 6 disk changer stinks. I replaced it with aftermarket single disk unit. (I will never buy Clarion) 5 - Rear defroster only defrosts half the window. 6 - tranny leak that went away.

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  Not sure - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By spiff - April 13 - 5:10 am

  A good solid truck with a lot of promise. I have owned it for 3 years now with nothing major wrong with it. Just a lot of little things. Things like gas cap door spring falling off, door handle cover falling off, ac ducts came loose, rear bumper lights becoming loose, rattling in the exhaust. I have to say it hauls a load well and the bed track system is great.

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  Great Upgrade - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By pod - April 12 - 5:16 am

  I purchased a new 2008 SL AWD (w/premium & leather, and sunroof) 15 days ago and love it. This is my first Nissan - I traded in my 2001 Ford Escape. I was worried about downsizing to a 4 cyl from a 6, but the Rogue has more than enough power. The CVT provides smooth acceleration and the suspension makes the Rogues ride car-like and way smoother than my Escape. The sporty-sleek exterior styling made several neighbors stop over to check out this Nissan. I am getting over 26 MPG with 70% of my already 900+ mi coming from Chicago toll-ways (most are under construction).

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  nice but id pass on it - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By pelt - April 10 - 7:10 pm

  i would have enjoyed this vehicle if it werent making this humming noise when going slow or approaching a stop. i took it to the dealership 9 times and they could not fix the problem. they apologized many times. but dealing with nissan has now been the worst experience ever. the car would have been great but still makes some strange noise.

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  Better that I anticipated - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Jeff - April 10 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle surprised me with its the way it drives. Granted it may be a little rough if you are used to a car but this a truck and I can say it is not as rough as I expected. It has a smooth transmission, comfortable seats, and a pretty good stock stereo. The best feature for me, and the main reason I bought it, is I can transport my bikes with ease in the large cargo area. I also plan on purchasing a kayak soon and getting the accessory for the roof rack that will transport it.

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  Happy Then, Scared Now - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Paul - April 7 - 5:16 am

  Well, I bought my Maxima used and I loved the way it handled the road. Fuel economy is great. It has great power when I need it. I have come to some problems with the car though. I have had the transmission fixed on it with just 41,000 miles on it. And it hasnt run the same. Had the BOSE radio replace because CD didnt work. Im scared there will be other problems ahead. Turn radius is terrible. I had a 2000 Maxima and the turn radius was great in that one. Road noise is bad but, thinking its the standard OE tires that are bad. Other than that it is a fun car to drive.

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  2000 Maxima - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By cubbie - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I like it. Smooth esp. on interstate. I am 6-4 and it somewhat low to the ground, coming from a SUV.