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:

• 

  Very Fun to Drive - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By brewboy13 - December 25 - 4:20 am

  First of all this is the most fun car to drive that I have ever owned. I have some minor complaints. I went from a 95 Max to this. I expected a better upgrade with some features. The int. is poorly laid out & semi-poor quality. In some ways the 95 Max had better quality features. The Bose has weak bass & the radio reception is awful. My wife has an 04 Accord which is far more comfortable but not as fun to drive. I guess I would love it if I could trade interiors with her Accord. Also the ride could be smoother on the SL model. It rides a little more stiff than it should feeling every bump. My 95 Max was just as smooth which this one should superior. With that said I still love the car.

• 

  Best for the Price - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By mathews - December 24 - 11:10 pm

  I bought my 08 Rogue in Sep 2008. After 1 1/2 yrs still I love the performance of my SL AWD. In this years worst winter in Philly my Rogue was running smooth without any traction problems. Never got stuck in ice. Never felt like driving in Ice. Fuel economy is incredible while driving long routes.I have been getting 27 hwy and around 23 in city. Plenty of room and comfortable seating providing a great ride on long trips. Also a great design giving a real sporty look . Over all Nissan Rogue is the " Best car for less price".

• 

  MM - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Mev - December 23 - 10:33 pm

  After 1 year the headlight has to be replaced. Now I hear strange rubbing sound in the front - Probably bearing. Not to recommend.

• 

  Great car for what it is - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By Sentra owner - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Good mileage, good ride, great turning radius, and comfortable. Weve enjoyed it thoroughly. But it isnt perfect...

• 

  Educate yourself 05-08 Pathfinder Radiator issues - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By nwfinder - December 21 - 2:12 pm

  The radiators in these have a major defect that destroys the transmission, torque converter and computer that controls both. If not caught before the 80,000 mile warranty will be extremely expensive to repair!!!! We own a 2007 and havent had the issue yet and hopefully wont. Its been recommended on numerous sites to have the cooler lines that go between the radiator and transmission by-passed to a separate transmission oil cooler that can be installed fairly cheaply by any transmission shop. Anyone who has a Pathfinder and has already Passed 80,000 miles and hasnt had a transmission failure should do it immediately!!!

• 

  So far, so good - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Leslee in Tucson - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Its been a little over 2 years since I purchased Blondie ( named for the "blond" leather interior). No major problems to deal with, so far, so good. I do mixed freeway/city driving. In Tucsons heat, using the A/C which works great here in AZ by the way, I get 31 mpg. In our milder winters, Ive been getting 34 mpg. The mpg are a slight disappointment but still better than 14 yr old Volvo. Still love the look, acceleration and roomy interior. Still not used to door locking system or less tight turning ability (is that torque?) Nervous about future cost to replace cell. Small trunk no problem; no kids and not much travel. So far, so good.

• 

  Love the Power - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By maurice - December 19 - 3:46 am

  I bought my first Titan in 2004 the first year king cab version. I loved it. It got me a couple of tickets and I Learned. They are good trucks hard on the gas but has the power. The only problem I have really had is the 04 and the 08 I have now are hard on rear tires. I dont spin the tires they just seem to wear on the back only. They a just good trucks.

• 

  LOVE my Maxima - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By eric_n26 - December 18 - 10:38 am

  I bought my 01 Maxima SE with every available option ($31,500 sticker) from the original owner in 2007 with 106k miles on it. It just rolled over to 145k miles and I know it would run to 200k easily. Things I love about this car are the sports-sedan styling, the extremely powerful and silky V6, its good interior space, & high-quality fit and finish. My car has been very reliable and the engine and tranny are great. To date, Ive had to fix a rear ABS wheel sensor, the catalytic converter, new alternator, and a hinge and spring for the fuel door rusted off. It is also starting to rust where the rear plastic bumper meets the metal body frame on both sides of the car, leaving orange-ish stains

• 

  Great Car! - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By NissanBoy - December 18 - 9:30 am

  This is my third Nissan, which this one is the best by far. It has just what I was looking for comfort with a sporty feel. The 3.5 V6 has amazing power if used with premium gas, but the downside is it only gets about 16 mpg on avg. It also has loads of great luxury features at a cheap price. The quality could be a bit better, but when compared to other midsized sedans its above avg.

• 

  Good Buy - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By Stu Man - December 18 - 8:56 am

  No problems in 4 years and 38,000 miles...nock on wood. And I drive it hard.