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:

• 

  RUNRUNRUN - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By RunLikeCrazy - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2001 Nissan Altima. It is a beautiful car. That I will admit. There are some issues with the car that is too long for me to go into. Look at other cars like Toyota or Honda before purchasing your Altima. If you really need a Nissan, I suggest the Sentra.

• 

  Complaint - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Cadet - September 17 - 5:03 pm

  It is better to buy car in the 90s now. Nissan Altima 2002 is a piece of trash. After only 61000 miles, I have to replace the head gasket which is cost a lot of money.The car consumed more oil than gas. Please stay away from Nissan Altima. I used to be in love with Nissan for so many years but know,many I will buy the older one .

• 

  Dont Buy a 2004 Nissan Maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By mortega1 - September 15 - 6:34 am

  In 2007 I began to notice that the “chrome finish” on the front grill was beginning to peel off. This was also beginning to happen on the “chrome” accents that are embedded on the roof of the vehicle. In late 2008 the power window motor located in the driver’s door began to malfunction and now it is not functional at all. In 2009, the power door locks located on the driver’s side (front and rear doors) also began to malfunction. Power to the steering wheel column and the drivers seat have now also failed. I have also experienced issues with the air conditioning system and I have had several leaks in the o-rings that have been addressed several times. Do not purchase a Nissan product!!

• 

  This car is terrible.... - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By SUZQ - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 5/02 and the second day I had it the flashers started blinking very fast. Brought to the dealer the next day they told me there was nothing wrong. Happened again and brought it back the next day. Took them until 10/02 to repair it. THen in 11/02 the heater stopped working and they did not repair that until 1/02. Then on 2/02 the car died in a parking lot and the dealer said the radio was draining the battery and replaced it. The car has been at the dealership more then 60 days of the time I have had it and only has 7000 miles. I have never had it in my possession when it was in working order without awaiting a part.

• 

  To Juke or not to Juke! - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By osu_dtm - September 13 - 9:32 pm

  I will say the car is fun to drive... BUT... like many other reviews... the frog does not get the gas mileage it should and a 11 gal gas tank is pathetic. I can get 26 mpg on the highway with really babying the car - meaning no quick accelerations, not going over 65, and in ECO mode. Once you hit the gas and try to pass anyone you will get 23 mpg. This is with 91 octane. I also noticed the electronic gas mile estimate is not accurate. If you do the math mileage/# of gals you will get better numbers. For example, the car states 22.8 and I am getting 23.4. Also, the interior has too much plastic, the seats are pretty stiff, and there is no arm rest which is ridiculous.

• 

  Get the warranty! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Just not worth it - September 10 - 1:56 pm

  This was my first car and I purchased the car with 23,500 miles on it. At 30,000 I had a problem with the starter hesitating to turn over. I kept up the expensive oil changes and paid for every service that was suggested. At 45,780 the check engine light came on and at 45,970 the heat went. I was informed by Nissan today that the engine has to be replaced to to a bad head gasket that caused several other problems. Thankfully Nissan is covering it but Im seriously thinking of trading this junk in for another car. A blown head gasket at almost 46,000 miles!

• 

  not so good ride.... - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By cpark - September 9 - 10:00 am

  i got about 26000 miles. engine is pretty good. but it burns a lot of gases. worst ride quality that i never had. tight supension that gives you wonderful corner handling. has pretty good standard feature. in dash 6 cd, fog lamp, and on. valuable price. i like that titanium silver gauge. horrible transmission. cant even see at night time. headlight is real dark. even if you turn on high beam, that darker than other cars low beam. not too good, not too bad car.

• 

  Great speed, but oh so not worth it!!!! - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By 1bzygirl - September 4 - 9:15 pm

  Shopping for a new car and just for kicks thought I would check out the reviews on my 2006 Maxima, cant believe so many people have had similar problems...let me see if anyone can top these, at 2 years my catalytic converter went out, at 3 years my transmission went out (right b4 warranty expired), my motor mounts have broken twice, oh yeah at 4 years my throttle body went out, end of 4th year my timing chain and air conditioner went out...now for my 5th yr anniversary my struts and suspension are out!!! I have spent well over 8k in repairs and maintanence....i am broke and now cannot afford to keep putting $$ into it, so am forced to get a new car or even buy a used one =(

• 

  Faulty radiator design destroys transmission - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By argiad - September 1 - 4:06 am

  I too loved my Xterra up until a couple of months ago. Bad engine design results in a faulty radiator part leaking radiator fluid into the transmission, destroying the transmission and leading to upwards of $5-6k in repair costs. Early signs include a low rumbling while driving as though driving over rumble strips and disappear if you slow or accelerate. Do NOT ignore this! If you do you could end up with engine overheating at best or transmission failure while driving possibly resulting in an accident. This problem occured for me at 90K miles is a common occurance and for others has occured at as low as 50K. Nissan is fully aware of and has done nothing to fix the problem.

• 

  2009 Nissan Armada LE , 4WD, 5.6L (V8) - 2009 Nissan Armada
  By kimber63 - August 29 - 8:25 pm

  Folks, I have owned my Nissan for over 5 years. It is by far the biggest piece of Nissan crap I have owned. I have had 4 other Nissans before this one. The air conditioning lines have been replaced twice. Side airbag issue, rear passenger door would not open, rear gate would not open. Two sets of front warped rotors have been replaced over a whopping 42K miles. Power Steering line leaking. All covered under warranty with exception to the brakes. And please put some darn tires on the vehicle. The OEM stuff was junk. Every time the repair work done it took 5 business days due to lack of parts. The truck sits at Nissan dealer more than my house. Thank god I bought the warranty.