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:

• 

  Great buy - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By nikibleu - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive purchased this vehicle brand new, this is 5 spd, 4x4. It has been very reliable with very very few minor glitches that were fixed under warranty. Would definetly recommend again.

• 

  Problem Keyless Start - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By dtancredi - July 24 - 11:23 am

  Within the past two weeks, there have been 10-12 times that it was difficult to start. I am being told that the dealership cannot find a problem.

• 

  Decent - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By B. Foster - July 21 - 5:08 pm

  I would describe my rental Altima which I have for 3 months as competent. The exterior is styled nicely, the interior is functional but plain. I do appreciate the comfortable elbow rests. The 4 cylinder engine is powerful enough but struggles up hills. The CVT works well and you can get up to speed pretty quickly, but there is an artificial shift feeling. The steering is light and handling is just ok, the car has Hankook tires on which ride nicely but lack grip. The cloth seats hold up well, the ride is fairly comfortable but gets choppy sometimes. There is some engine growl but otherwise the car is quiet. Mileage is around 31 mpg combined. The Altima is certainly a good car, it just doesnt feel special. Unlike say, my previous Accord which I just liked to get into every day and drive. The Altima doesnt have that.

• 

  Minor ergonimic problems, excellent car - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By mmagliaro - July 21 - 3:26 pm

  Bought this used with 26000 miles on it. Its quiet, comfortable, powerful. I get an honest 23 mpg with it (but I do mostly highway driving). In fact, its the nicest car I have ever owned. But its not without flaws. 1. This car is so short on storage! Not enough drawers, pouches, etc, to put "stuff" 2. Doors dont prop and hold open at enough convenient positions. Have to open the doors all the way most of the time to really be sure they stay open. 3. AM radio reception is poor. AM is still handy for news and such. This thing cant pull in most of the stations my old radio could. FM is fine. 4. Sliding armrest thing is silly.

• 

  2004 Nissan Maxima SL - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By brandymac - July 21 - 3:11 pm

  Bought car at 89K miles & replaced timing chains & transmission 2 weeks after(cost=$5k)& then replaced oil cooler gasket.Burns over 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles.Car now has 145k miles and Im replacing the left Control Arm & brakes & rotors due to the damage. Dealer said it was normal for this car to burn this much oil.It is not leaking oil.Nissan was great about honoring the 2 recalls & fixed them no problem.The steering column vibrates roughly when driving even when alignment is done & balanced tires.Bought new Michelin Primacy tires which helped some.The turning radius is horrible. Car is super comfy& roomy for long trips.Love the style & sporty but 2 expensive 2 keep buying oil.

• 

  Everything youd thought it would be... - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By pex - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This generation Nissan is nothing short of a phenomenon. I dont think any of us truly appreciated what a classic sports car Nissan produced from 1990- 1996. Nor could you understand the gravity of its annual assault as Car & Drivers, Motor Trend, among others, pound-for-pound best sports car ever made claims. Simply put,power, handle, big brakes, and good looks. What more could a layperson ask for?

• 

  Love the Rogue - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By car_lady - July 20 - 8:24 am

  I have driven Ford vehicle for most of my driving life and I test drove an Ford Edge, felt like I was driving a mini-van and the Ford Escape, felt like I was driving a truck. So, next I test drove a Hyundai Tuscon, actually several times, and just could not get comfortable driving it. The sales person suggested I try the Nissian Rogue. When I first saw it I loved the body style and then I test drove it and I was conformtable driving it because it felt like I was driving a car. I am come up on 16,000 miles and have not had a problem with it. Great gas mileage and handling in the snow. Great sound system and all around great car. Love the back up camera and of course the sun roof.

• 

  Better brakes - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By big and bad - July 19 - 4:43 pm

  This is a nice machine;however, the brakes seem to be flawed...The veh shakes and shimmers when slowing down...Memory seat would be nice

• 

  Frontier - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By D. Smith - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Seat design and height reduces driver confort.

• 

  SO far SO good! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Jerry - July 19 - 7:13 am

  Hello one and all, i bought the SE 4x4 night armor late aug got 1400+ miles on it, the truck rides nicely and have been fun to drive. It has GREAT pick up, i AVG bout 19-23 HWY which is not bad if u think bout compared to other SUVs. Im 65 tall and it fits pretty well. It would have been nice for the back glass to pop open sometimes its a pain to open the whole back just to get something.Over all i am happy with this truck.