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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  Fun To Drive, But... - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By Shawn - April 23 - 8:30 pm

  I really appreciate the Altimas handling and the engine is tolerable. But I have had several problems. I bought the car used and it developed some very annoying rattles. The intake manifold gasket went after one year (Nissan covered the repair), and the instrument cluster died on the interstate, and came back to life about 30 miles later. I love the way the car looks and handles, but I am dissapointed with the mechanical problems I have an encountered. I am really having a hard time deciding whether to keep it. With gas prices on the rise it may have to go. I typically get less than 20 mpg. I have a 6 cylinder Jeep that gets better gas mileage.

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  Nice rig! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By DesertAl - April 21 - 3:36 pm

  I just purchased this Pathfinder last Sunday and drove it to work the next day. The vehicle steerings a little stiff (compared to my 2000 Toyota Camry) - i figure its the tires (265/70R16). The road noise, bumps and ruts reflect back to the cabin. Fuel consumption is typical (13.9 mpg.) Power is amazing. When up Cajon Pass enroute to Apple Valley CA and vehicle performed wonderfully! Tach was registering 2000 rpm but my speed was 75 mph up driving up the hill(6% grade incline). This means the SUV has a lot of spare power when needed. Acceleration is surprising considering its heftiness and weight, you can feel your head jerk backward when stepping on the gas. Tight quarters though.

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  What happened to Nissan and Quality - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By Dirk - April 20 - 6:13 am

  This is my second 4th Gen Nissan Maxima. Fun to drive in a 5 speed, a true wolf in sheeps clothing. I sold my 95 for a fully loaded 99. Since November 06, Ive replaced the ignition coils ($600), alternator ($200), brake calipers ($200), a new clutch ($800), starter ($250) and NOW, gearbox/tranny work (proven factory defect) ($1000) - all in the last 6 months. The coils, tranny, and starter should at least last 10 years or the life of the vehicle. Similiar so should the alternator. This vehicle is NOT reasonably durable.

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  takes a lickin and keeps on rolling - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By aaront - April 19 - 10:00 am

  original owner from 1996 Has never needed to go bakc to dealership. Likes to eat front brakes and tires, but I drive fairly aggressiviely. Lost a few wheel covers which can add up unless you check out the junkyards. It is now my 3rd car and still runs well.

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  Very Good little car - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By hptorres - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Overall the Sentra is a very good car. Its not far behind the Civic or Corolla in terms of reliability and quality; not as refined but not far behind. Perhaps the best value amongst the three. I purchased with the $2500 rebate so it was defenitely a great buy for around $12K dlls for the 1.8S w/ carpets, microfilter & splash guards and Auto tranny. About $3500 less than the Civic and Corolla.

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  love it hate it ...back again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By love it & hate it - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Well after 55 days in service dept. they did finally fix the interior light problems, which I still believe to be electrical malfunctions. That was Dec.,this is April so far so good. Now just really annoyed by rattles and squeaks. Pass.side slider, driver seat, also losing the motor on the rear wiper already. Having some acceleration hesitation, which I share with another local owner of a new Quest. Hes been in often for service too. Starting to regret decision on a 1st time model. Should have waited til 05 or 06. But...it still turns heads!

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  Unbelievable Driving Experience - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Mike Farris - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I was having my 03 Maxima serviced today, so I decided to test drive a Titan while I waited (after reading several reviews on this site) to test drive a Titan while I waited. Immediately I was hooked. It handles and performs like a sports sedan - no joke. Long story short, as of this afternoon, I have in my driveway a Titan, not a Maxima. The only thing I dont like about the truck are the seats. They are too soft for my taste.As far as exterior design, perfromance and fun to drive, this truck defies description. You have to experience it. If youre considering a truck or SUV this truck is a must test.

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  Rogue Saved My Life Today! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Monica - April 19 - 8:00 am

  I was in an accident today and I have to say that my Rogue held up well. I was T-boned by a Big GMC Yukon that hit me at about 40mph. While the doors did suffer lots of damage, the side air bags saved my son and me from getting lots of glass in our face. Overall we got away with a few bumps and bruises. Thanks to my Rogue!

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  04 Murrano issues - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Mo2004 - April 19 - 12:20 am

  I have over 100,000 miles and really enjoyed driving the Murano until the little issues that have occurred over the time of driving. The alternator replaced (free do to recall). The driver side sun visor does not stay in place which a number of owners have wrote about. The cost to repair is about $350 for just the sun visor. The lock on the fuel tank stop functioning, the motor to adjust the seats on the driver side stop functioning. The front and right side motor mounts went bad ($1000 to repair). The motor mount issue is apparently with all Nissan vehicles. The vehicle is a great looking design, CVT engine is nice feel, and overall a good design.

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  M.P.G. of an S.U.V - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By M.P.G. of a S.U.V - April 17 - 11:26 am

  Last year I decided to go back to school so I traded in my GTO because it only got 21 mpg on highway. I have an 07 maxima and I average about 26 mpg and I can get 30-32 on the highway driving 5 over the speed limit. My school is 126 miles round trip and I wanted something good on gas so I went with the sentra (which is my 8th nissan). On the highway the best Ive gotten yet was 25 mpg and in town I get 19 to 20. And its not the way I drive, with the price of gas I drive like a grandma. Its a nice little car beside that but the only reason we buy cars like this is for mpg. So even if you dont like the civic as much, its worth it because of the gas mileage