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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  Some Hits and Some Misses - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By tengineer - October 30 - 9:27 pm

  The Altima is a nice car that boasts excellent interior styling and comfort. The 2.5L engine has great acceleration but the drivetrain is also quite noisy, even at moderate throttle. The drivetrain also exhibits a pronounced rumble/growl at low throttle from a standing start as the CVT seeks to keep the engine RPMs very low for maximum MPG. The cabin is quiet while crusing, but a high-pitched whine can be heard at idle and low speed driving. The AC compressor stays on even while heating; the manual gives a procedure to turn it off, but it doesnt work, so the compressor is working all the time. Highway MPG is very good, but EPA city MPG can only be achieved with very careful driving.

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  Great Car...and made in Tennesee - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By RDM - October 30 - 10:00 am

  Did much research before buying this car, it came down between a Acura TL and the Maxima. After driving both I cant see how anyone could not fall in love with this car. I got the SE 5- speed with sunroof and Journey package. There are so many new toys included in the new Maxima but the real joy is how quite and effortlessly it cruises at 100mph The looks will shock you at first but then after a close look you say "cool". Had a hard time finding the color and options I wanted due to 9000 Maximas getting hail damage at the factory, which is leaving dealers short on inventory. Still I was able to buy it for $300 over invoice.

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  Good for the money...just good - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By bigeandkenna - October 29 - 3:42 am

  I have a base model with cloth seats. Basically a rental car. But you would never know it from 10 feet away. Same good looks, same wheels, same growl from the exhaust. This car has great power and handling for $31G. Average 19MPG of premium. 27 on long trips. This car has long legs and you find yourself driving too fast. Interior quality has been disappointing. Rocking drivers seat- replaced once and still rocks and at 28K miles the interior rattles. The CVT drops the RPMs to early on slow driving and it groans. Steering column locked up and needed replacement. Back seat is hard to get in and out of for taller persons but ok once inside.

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  From Frontier to 350Z - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By arsey51 - October 28 - 9:36 pm

  OK, Ive had the little stinker for 4 days. I traded in my 06 Frontier which I liked very much as far as trucks go, for an 08 Z. What a difference from handling, acceleration, comfort, etc. I havent driven anything this small since I turned over my 85 Honda Prelude with 300K on the odometer. Looking forward to building quite the relationship with the Z. Im not looking to get anymore power or handling out of it. Ive grown tired of pouring money into cars with aftermarket stuff. So Im just going to enjoy the car for what is - a fun sports-car.

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  What a shame! - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Rich - October 27 - 7:56 pm

  I have had this car for less than two years and already I have had my rotors replaced, master brake replaced, and now one of my windshield washer nozzles is broken. I also get a noise when going over bumps which sounds like the windshield is loose. I would never buy another Nissan ever.

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  My take so far... - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By A.B - October 25 - 1:26 pm

  With 1 child and a second on the way, it seemed time to step up to an suv. Did so reluctantly, but wanted something stylish, functional and price worthy. Checked out the Rav4, RX 350, Acura RDX. The fully loaded Murano LE was the only way to go. Inside the cabin is nice, with a luxury feel. Lots of bells & whistles. The engine & drive is smooth. Very good acceleration for a heavy vehicle. Havent driven it hard, so hard to describe the handling, but it does feel like it does have some body roll on hard turns & movements. Mileage is avg at best.

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  Great truck, but we dont all surf Calf. - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Tim - October 23 - 11:13 pm

  The off-road X-terra I bought is a great combination suv to drive to were you want to go off road, and then to go off-road. It compares favorably with the Jeep Wrangler off-road, but gives you a lot more comfort on the highway. It also has a lot more room inside, and great storage system inside and out. Much wider and roomier than the previous X-Terras. My only major complaint is with the idiot engineerwho took the sunroof out and replaced it with that plastic bucket and cover on the roof. Now its supposed to be for wet things, like I want to put my dead fish up there, so it can drip on my roof and get baked in. NICE SMELLING TRUCK DUDE, maybe my waders after a duck hunt so they freeze in.

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  05 Nissan Pathfinder - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Texas nissan owner - October 22 - 7:03 pm

  I purchased my 05 pathfinder new this spring. I have had it into the shop for a squeek that is been in the left dash from day one. This is reported fixed each time but as of today still squeeking away. The fit and finish on this SUV is more like a chevrolet low end car. There are rattle from time to time and the SUV just seems to be put together kinda shotty. I also have never gotten over 21.5 miles to the gallon on the hwy and I baby it.

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  Its ok but will not buy nissan again - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By eg7737 - October 22 - 10:30 am

  I had a 2006 Nissan altima before this maxima and it was the worst car ever. I had all sorts of problems the dealer had to put a brand new engine when I had 8000k miles anyways I decided to buy a maxima because it looked Nice. Ive had this 2008 maxima for a little over a year and Im actually writing this review from the service waiting area at the dealership apparently my battery is dead.. Mind u its practically a new car and Ive only had it for a little over a year. I am the first owner and already having problems. Also all the cheap plastic parts they use on this car are breaking. Both charging ports are broken the visors are breaking apart the ac vent doesnt work, the shifter broke off

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  100k+ after - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Kinetic - October 21 - 1:46 pm

  Ive purchased this car about 2 years ago with 100k miles on it. So far Ive had to replace: Timing belt (wore out) Fog lights (burned out) A/C fan (Burned out) Leaf springs (1 snapped) Head gasket (coolant leak) Front grill (plastic pins holding it broke off) 4 small suspension parts, forgot what they were called I maintain the vehicle regularly, but a lot of parts appear to be cheap and fall apart. Especially the plastics, plenty of rattles and squeaks on every bump. Bumpers are also poorly built and fading. In the 2 years Ive had the vehicle it has cost me about $3000 in repairs on top of the regular maintenance. Great off road, but poor quality parts make it less appealing.