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:

• 

  Lovin every mile!! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By MDC - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Elite package with VDC.Great car, yet I havent fully broken her in just yet.Ive got about 400 miles left.I fell in love the moment I sat in it.Design, performace, and luxury! Definately no regrets!I just love the reaction I get when I drive by.

• 

  what hasnt broke is a shorter list - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By john c - September 2 - 1:00 am

  heres a list of repairs (that i can remember) rear differential, rear axle shafts, power steering pump, both exhaust manifolds, u joint, front drive shaft, hub assemblies, condenser fan, wiring harness, window leak, air pressure sensors, back up sensors 4xs, rear axle shaft seals, drive shaft seals, rear axle breather, tailgate hinge, power steering lines, power steering tub/hose assembly, throttle speed sensor, anti lock brake sensor

• 

  Absolutely Great Car for the money - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Choo Choo Kornitzer - September 1 - 4:31 pm

  We bought new for our son who decided to go to HS a 45 minute drive away. Price and safety features were the reasons for our choice. He put 60K miles on it in 2.5 years. We bought 1 new set of tires and changed the oil. The car was perfect every day and never a minutes trouble and thats with a teenager driving it.

• 

  Problem with frontend - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Val - September 1 - 3:13 pm

  Fun car to drive and has a great pick up and go but keep having problems with the front end. I have replaced both wheel bears, brakes & tires with only have 58K. still making a noise like the brakes are low when I stop but when I replace the bearings it stopped the steering wheel from shaking.

• 

  Tranny - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By sandy - September 1 - 2:36 am

  There is a problem with the pathfinder that seems to be happening everywhere. For some reason the coolant from the radiator is leaking into the tranmisson and it is killing the tranny. Nissan says that is your problem not theirs. That is a cost of 7000 to fix. Can not afford to take that chance. Traded in my nissan and got another car and will never buy a nissan again.

• 

  Nice Ride - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By CJR - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I think that the Murano is one of the best cars around right now. They have so many features and being a college student, it isnt that expensive on gas (i live in Alabama). Nav system, DVD entertainment package, Bose, heated seats and the list goes on!!

• 

  First review - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Ed - August 31 - 3:10 pm

  Good car, poor dealerships. Ride is too firm for passengers but road handling is excellent. Fuel economy is very good, city and highway, even with regular gas. Every accessory still works.

• 

  first car - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By fidel - August 31 - 2:20 pm

  this car is a good first car. i have not had any problems with this car since i bought it. very good performance.

• 

  Disappointed - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By dmontoya - August 31 - 2:33 am

  Purchased in April, the car has been to the dealership 3 times for repairs (over 30 days in the shop and counting, it is there now). First visit was for a misaligned hood and pax airbag issue. Second was for same Pax airbag issue and CVT, currently in for a new transmission due to cvt issues (stuttering between 15 and 20 mph). We are invoking our states lemon law to have Nissan buy back, we will see how that goes. Great looking car, quality is the worse I have ever seen in my 30 years of purchasing vehicles.

• 

  Nice looking, rough ride - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Jimbo - August 30 - 8:50 pm

  Xterras are really nice looking, however, they ride rough on the pavement. If you primarily drive this on the pavement I dont recommend it. Buyers should get a Honda CRV, Element, or Toyota Rav 4 instead of this gas hog!