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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  Disappointed Nissan Fan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Disappointing ride - September 10 - 10:00 am

  Delivered w/38 lbs air in tires! Still rides poorly, harsh,noisy over road joints, jiggly, rear suspension seems like its suspended on bungee chords on dips. Numerous rattles. Fasteners missing on plastic inner fender splash shields. Dealer cant find klunk in rear area, is replacing shocks to hopefully fix the problem. We have been a Datsun/Nissan/Infiniti family since 1982, owned Sentras, Maximas, 200SX, G- 20 etc. VERY disappointed with this car in comparison. Tougfh to back up, no part of the car is visable out rear window.

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  Ya Gotta Love It! - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By dfkelley - September 10 - 4:43 am

  I love this car. I owned a 260z when "much" younger and have craved the rush over the years. The interior does not have storage but it is made up for with the way it handles and the design turns heads everywhere I go! I would recommend this car to anyone wanting a true "sports" car.

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  Better for families than Fit or Corolla - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By jw - September 9 - 4:10 am

  This is a great little car. We looked at the Honda Fit and the Toyota Corolla. We were impressed with the versatility of the Fit and the reliability of the Corolla, but were very glad we bought this Versa sedan. Were a family of 5: three kids between the ages of 6 and 11. Our Versa has the same rear legroom as our Mercury Sable, no kidding. It just seems so spacious! Much roomier & more comfortable than the Fit or Corolla. Rated safer than those cars too. We regularly get an average of 32 mpg in mixed driving (with 3 kids and their stuff!) -- no complaints there. True, resale value wont be as high as Honda or Toyota, but our Versa was at least $2000 less to buy!

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  If only the Shaking would be FIXED - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Majestic Blue - September 8 - 7:26 am

  I LOVE MY CAR! if only the steering wheel would stop shaking when i hit the brakes at 50-80 MPH. I got a call from my dealership today saying that it is my tires, you know....the ones that are $300.00 each. It has been in the shop about 6-7 times since i bought it with no resolution to the problems. They diagnosed it as my rotors previously now its my tires....well see. Other then that the car is a dream to drive, you get where you want to go REAL quick!

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  overpriced - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By rayray - September 5 - 6:10 pm

  For the price you donÂ’t get a lot I got the 2.5 SL and over paid a lot. The SL should all come with anti-lock breaks I really hate that it doesnÂ’t and has bad as their safety rating is they should all come loaded with air bags. It is very noisy; you hear everything on the road especially when it is raining. Fortunately I was lucky enough to sell mine. Also wish it had overdrive or 5 speed auto like 3.5 does.

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  CVT transmission problems - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By bille60 - September 5 - 3:25 pm

  We bought our 2008 Rogue S AWD new from the dealership. Nice looking, fun to drive, great safety features, and the AWD is fantastic. Never had to be towed. I noticed the transmission had a slight high pitch whine when it was new - going up steep hills. I thought it was just normal for a CVT. Then as time went on (about 20,000 miles) the transmission developed a loud high pitch whine going up steep hills - especially in the summer heat. At 30,503 miles the dealer replaced the transmission fluid because of my complaints about the CVT noise. Nissan has replaced 2 CVT transmissions so far.

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  A kids dream. - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Great Horned Owl - September 5 - 10:00 am

  When i was just a kid, i thougth that the only brands capable of doing REAL off road vehicles where land rover, jeep, and nissan. My favorite was without a doubt the patrol. all of them, with round head ligths. Since then ive been waiting to have a nissan off roader. when i saw the 2002, 3 and 4 Xterra, i went to a nissan dealer and bougth an Xterra. This is a great vehicle, on road is acceptable, but its a great off roader, no problems so far. the interior is strong, and i like that. If you want a vehicle capable and practicaL, GO FOR THE X!

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  Good little car, bad starting, tire leak - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By tire sensor - September 3 - 3:00 pm

  We bought a used Versa with 10,000 miles on it. We drove some other smaller cars and liked the ride and space of the versa. Have been to the dealer or tire shop three times so far to get the tire sensor leak fixed. Have also had inconsistent starting, takes three times to start sometimes. Am taking to dealer to fix.

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  ALTIMA 3.5 SE SEDAN - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Brandon - September 3 - 2:40 pm

  Car is a blast to drive. The 3.5 mated to the CVT tranny is fantastic. The combination gives immediate throttle response and will push you back in the drivers seat. The handling is great also. Very sure- footed around corners and on the freeway. Steering is tight and responsive. Quality touch and feel to the interior. Well built and stylish. Alternator had a problem (important to note that the car still started and drove fine) and was grounding out on the frame somehow only six weeks after purchase (This is my fourth Nissan and all have been very reliable). Dealer fixed without question and back on the road enjoying car the next day. Drives and feels like a $45K car

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  Very good commute car - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By kangaroo - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car for commute purpose. With Synergy Package. Worth the price.