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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  Not really a bad car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By dcmajesty - September 2 - 12:58 pm

  i have a 2005 altima v6 se model i mus say overall its okay needs minor work such as alignment, struts, brake system etc , just small things but can be pricey, its lasted me quite a while, the design is quite nice i get alot of compliments not like other altimas i gave it a custom paint job got creative and just modified the current hid system from the factory and added some after market bulbs. threw some 18 factory 350 z rims same bolt pattern as alitima fit like champ , painted those black , it really makes the car stick out , i just gotta gut the exhaust system the one from the factory really sux , i think modifying the engine jus a tad and overall suspension this car will go!!

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  Never Again!!!! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Disappointed - August 30 - 4:56 am

  Bought this 2006 Exterra SE new November of 2006 because of the reviews and ratings on this site and the awards it garnered. Ill admit, it is a fun vech. to drive. But what a disappointment! Replaced tires at 20,00 miles. Replaced the front brakes (Rotors as well as pads) twice in 51,000 miles. Paint is poor quality showing rust specs and flaked off the running boards at in less than a year Just replaced the fuel sensor. Worst of all, tranny and radiator self destructed at 51,000 miles. Nissan refused to honor the drive train warranty. The excuses were pathetic! Cost to repair this piece of junk was outrageous! On top of that, we still owe $5,200 on the purchase price. Back to Toyota for us!

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  Buyer Beware - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By sgtrock62 - August 21 - 9:35 pm

  This was my wifes car. We both absolutely loved it. One morning at o dark thirty, my wife was on the way to work with our grandson in the car to drop him off at daycare. The car started slowing down to the point that it wouldnt go any further. My wife and grandson were stranded on a dark highway with no street lights. Bottom line, at 40000 miles the transmission went out. The car has been at the dealership for over a week now. They are waiting on a new transmission to come in. It projected to to be ready next week. Ill believe that when I see it. In the mean time, Im stuck paying $200 a week for a rental car. Nissan wont pay the rental car even though its a warranty service issue.

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  2016 Nissan Altima Led Daytime Running Lights - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Norman Smith - August 20 - 12:40 am

  Unfortunately, you will be very upset to know that even though it appears to have led daytime running lights which all new cars have today. You will not get them even if you buy the most expensive model like I did. Every time I drive my new 2016 Altima SL (3.5), I see all other cars which are less expensive driving with their Led Daytime light on. I feel very much cheated. and rip off. So buyers beware when purchasing this car. Everything else with the car is completely fine.

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  Not impressed - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Paul99 - August 19 - 4:40 pm

  My main complaint is the engine and transmission. Reliability is good, only replacing the exhaust manifold in 85,000 miles. But the engine is extremely weak (I have SC model), and the 4 speed auto transmission shifts very rough. Engine takes 15 minutes to "warm up" before the engine and trans are even acceptable for use. The supercharged engine only performs well in dry 60-70 degree weather. I live in Michigan, and we rarely have dry 60-70 degree weather. If I ride alone and temp is optimal, the car is fun to drive, but if i carry passengers, its sluggish at best. Gas mileage is unacceptable for a V6! I rarely get over 13mpg in city driving even when i baby it! Highway mileage is no better!

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  Problems and more problems - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By newsmaker - August 17 - 8:43 am

  If you are considering this car, dont buy it. We bought new and paid down in 3yrs. Always told service at dealership about jerky movements when shifting and accelerating. Transmission began having major problems at 56K miles. Took it to Nissan shop and they suggested trans oil change. Did not wanted to hook it to scanner. They said car did not need it. Now at 62K miles it is being repaired ($2K at auto shop) and Nissan wont respond. This car can endanger the drivers and passengers life. Will never buy Nissan again.

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  DO NOT BUY!! - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By johna_tigner94 - August 17 - 3:39 am

  I have nothing but trouble since buying this car. I am only getting about 18 miles to the gallon. I drive only back and forth to school (15 min from home) and I go through $80.00 a week in gas. Nobody can figure out what is wrong with it. My alignment goes out a week after getting it fixed, it makes weird noises going over bumps. When I shut off my car after drving it smells like sulfur. The steering wheel shakes on a regular basis. This is a car that is just going to nickle and dime you to death. DO NOT BUY! It is a waste of moneyyy!!

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  do not buy - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By William Braman - August 15 - 12:30 pm

  Seats not comfortable. Electric Windows stick all the time. Bad on Fuel. Hard to hold on road when the wind in strong. Leather seats poor quality. Rattles a lot inside after the first few months.

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  Only ok - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By me - August 11 - 9:16 pm

  Went with it for the good mileage but I am getting lower than expected. The CVT is ok, different, but ok. Coming out of a VW Jetta and I went to this. Drives ok and being 6 it has good headroom. Trunk is ok and the hide a way trunk is ok. Overall you shouldnt expect much of the car, as I said in the title, its only ok

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  Good for money but a couple of glitches - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By B- Rad - August 8 - 7:00 am

  Overall, the Nissan Versa CVT Hatchback is a good little car. It looks little but actually has a whole lot of room inside. My friend is 610 and has no problem riding shotgun because of the immense headroom provided in the design. The car does not get the posted gas mileage driving in the New York City area - which is mostly traffic congested highways and stop and go streets. I clocked every time I had to fill up for 12 months to find that the car on my average gets 25 miles to the gallon. I was surprised that my ex-car, a Nissan Sentra 1997 stick shift, got at least 35 miles to a gallon - way better. I also had glitches with the interior panel that always seemed to pop up and stay up.