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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  Hard Vibrating ride - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By J. R. - October 14 - 6:40 am

  I purchased the 2.5SL Altima for three main reasons. Fuel economy, style and price. Those are the good things. I noticed a vibration in the front end, on the drive home, between 63 and 70 mph (approx 20 miles). Took it to a tire shop to check the balancing, that helped, but didnt solve it. Im on my third trip to the Nissan shop. If this doesnt fix the problem, I will have to consider another vehicle. The vibration and what I would consider a hard ride, has soured me. I still like the style and fuel economy and would love to have the vibration issue fixed. I will check the tires for overinflation from the factory. That may improve the hard ride.

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  Pretty sporty car for an old man - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By bob holley - October 14 - 1:58 am

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  05 sentra shifts strangely - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By islifereal - October 13 - 7:07 pm

  We bought this used in 2010 for 6,600 with 83K miles. We found the console light doesnt work nor does the crusie control. It was too late by then to take back to dealership. That was our fault for not checking better. But then we changed the oil after only 40K miles and it was dirty! We havent found any real problems aside from it shifting jerky going from 1-2 gear and moreso when cold. It is a automatic

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  2nd Frontier - 2016 Nissan Frontier
  By Joe - October 13 - 5:44 pm

  I originally bought a 2015 SV V6 2WD King Cab (in May 2015). After using it for 6 months it became obvious there was not enough room in the cab when I needed to carry passengers. I was also a little disappointed with the lack of features I have become accustomed to in my new vehicles - heated seats, compass, outside temp, rear camera............ While the reviews of this 2015 vehicle were not outstanding, I was happy (overall) with my truck. It was fairly noisy, but it fit my expectations of a truck. (I want to be able to carry stuff, with reasonable expectations for performance and reliability.) So after getting a reluctant nod from my wife, I bought the same truck as a 2016 (November 2015). However, this time it was a 4 door SV with the value truck package. This version is much more usable, with less road noise. Gas mileage is not outstanding, but its not rediculous (as you might expect from the reviews). I get 20 mpg consistently (combined). The features and controls work well, and are simple to use. However, they may be somewhat dated in their design. Again they honestly meet my expectations for a truck. I did look at the new Chevy when I bought the 2015. The dealers were unwilling to negotiate on the price, and there were few vehicles available on the lot. There were no Toyotas available in a 2WD, and the dealers were even less willing to negotiate about the price. To be honest, I may be unlike many who want a pick-up. Id really prefer a small/mid pick-up that would be based on a small SUV. This would likely improve gas mileage, and address the main reason I have a pick-up. Did I mention I want to have the ability to carry stuff...... I am not a farmer or tradesman, so I dont need all the bulk and capacity of a real pick-up. I use this vehicle to go to work, shopping, and just general transportation. Given the 3 small trucks currently available in the market, I think the 4 door Frontier is a competent choice. It doesnt seem to have any of the concerns noted in many of the customer reviews for the new GMs or Toyota, and the gas milage is not significantly different.

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  Versa Nightmare - 2014 Nissan Versa Note
  By Mark Juhl - October 13 - 4:56 pm

  The Powertrain is only warranted for 60K miles. My transmission needed replacing at 63K. Nissan will not budge on 60K. Plan on spending $4,000 on a new transmission (and only one year old!). If you can afford the $4K, you still have to live with the heat shield rattles. A thin, flimsy piece of sheet metal held on with a screw and an undersized washer. I would never consider any vehicle made by Nissan after this experience.

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  New Nissan Murano Crossover - 2014 Nissan Murano
  By Elysia Edmondson - October 13 - 11:00 am

  My first Nissan. I have been impressed so far. My baby is Arctic Blue metallic with black leather interior. I fell in Love with the exterior design. Very sexy! She is gorgeous . Have had it for about a month now. Good gas mileage with extended range. Lots of Interior room, very comfortable. Has a lot of get up and go. All wheel drive is great, snow and Ice no problem.

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  I love my Nissan Maxima 2006 - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By William Betancourt - October 13 - 7:24 am

  I bought this car 7 years ago. It has been so good to me. Thank God I have no problems with mine. I take good care of my car. I literally pray before I get a car and prayed that my Nissan will not give me major problems. Till this day I still have it. Has not given me major problems and i truly love it! Love the inside and out! I have driven this car far places, drives great. Overall its the best car I have ever own.

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  Great car - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Ryan - October 13 - 3:20 am

  i love it...its pretty fun to drive.the interior is great...the acceleration is pretty good and so is the handling...i advise you that if u want a fast 4 cylinder for under 20 gs then this is the car for you....

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  Nissan/Datsun - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Bill - October 13 - 2:56 am

  Unbelievable sports sedan truly 4dsc (fast) cvt is much better and improved.Interior is high end comfortable seats heated and cooled paddle shifters heated steering award winning engine for 10 straight years engine code vq35de.Previously own 2 maximas I love them fun to drive.

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  best truck you will ever drive - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ross bryan - October 12 - 6:40 pm

  This is a great truck. its fast, fun, powerful and reliable. every time i turn the key it starts right up. i will drive it until the doors fall off of it.