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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  end of ownership review - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By zoolander1 - June 17 - 11:01 am

  This is an update to an old review. I sold my juke after 2.5 yrs and 42k miles. I think the car is priced right for what it is. MPG is nowhere close to estimated; I observed 25.1 average with 90% highway driving. I had the engine replaced for free for a defective cylinder at 31k mi and I learned to live with a grinding noise coming from the AC that the dealership never figured out.

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  Love My Xterra - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By GSX-TERRA - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I have now lived with my X-Terra for 5 weeks. So far I have no major complaints. I got the most bang for my buck with the X-Terra. The handling is not as bad as everyone says, it is quite nimble for a truck. Low to mid range acceleration (to 45mph) is good, but the curve flattens at high speeds. Gas mileage isnt great, but then I knew that when buying the X. Passed on the supercharger which you have to feed premium gas. Great daily driver, great people and gear haule, good looks ...what more can you ask for?

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  Compact Tank - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By PirateJake - June 15 - 6:23 pm

  My car has not had an easy mile in its life. From destroying a deer going 65 mph to some mild offroad drifting (rock crawling?!?) this car has been virtually invincible. We got this about the same time we got a Suburban, and this little car has worn its abuse much better. I have the SE model with the SR20DE and an automatic tranny. This car isnt pretty after its 7 years of abuse, but it sure runs like a top. Im in college and commute over 40 miles every day and I expect this car to be there for me for another 100,000 miles. It has carried my 16 foot canoe hundreds of miles without a problem and has done dozens of trips to all the midwest. Do yourself a favor and get the stickshift.

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  Good UTILITY vehicle; gets the job done - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By alfalfa - June 15 - 9:26 am

  This has been my daily driver for a year and a half and enjoyable for the most part. Its spacious, with plenty of cargo room with the rear seats down (Ive hauled big screens in it, dogs, even an auger). Has a ton of power so you feel comfortable driving it on the highway and uphill (the engine rarely sounds strained). Gas mileage is what I would expect from a 4.0L. I tend to be a bit more aggressive on the gas pedal and get about 18.5 mpg (mixed hwy and city). Contrary to others distaste with the interior, I like the rugged plastic and overall interior design. If you want something fancy, then look elsewhere. If you want simplicity and utility for a good price, take a look at the Xterra

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  A Bit Disappointed in Nissan - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Kim - June 15 - 4:10 am

  Reliability has been great and it has definitely hauled a lot of items for me. Very easy to steer and turns on a dime. However, Im very disappointed in Nissan craftmanship. Front grille immediately faded within 6 months. I was told by dealer that this was part of the "rugged" look and they wouldnt replace it. Seats are very hard and uncomfortable for travel. Windows have poor insulation - wind is howling. No mirrors even on the visors! Back seat doors are made for people smaller than a size ten (and younger than 50) to squeeze through to get into the backseat. But I guess you pay for what you get.

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  Great Value - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By jimmy_jam_2012 - June 15 - 1:23 am

  Leased the SV with Black on black. Nissan has some great owner loyalty incentives going on right now, so I got a great deal that blew away all the usual suspects for new sedans. The car is a fantastic value and has so many positive attributes.

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  Fun to drive! - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Bill - June 14 - 1:56 pm

  Replaced my 1997 Audi A4 Quattro and I find driving this to be as fun as the Audi. Have only been averaging 34 MPG which is disappoinging based on the EPA ratings, but is nearly twice what I was getting with the Audi.

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  Never had an issue - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By car_guy_93 - June 13 - 3:28 am

  I bought my 2007 Nissan Sentra in September of 2011 with 42k on it. I didnt own it long, only until January of 2013. I drive a lot for work, and in the short time I owned it I went from 42K to 69k. So about 27k in about 1 1/2 year. I never brought this car in for anything besides oil changes. Not one issue. I replaced the tires once, if that counts. As I said I didnt own it long, but I drove it a lot and never had one remote issue or sore feeling. The only reason I got rid of it is that I got a new job, so upgraded to a Volvo S80. Must say, sometimes I miss my little reliable gas sipping Sentra. Definitely consider this vehicle, have a mechanic check it over first, of course.

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  CVT needs replacement after 5 years - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By bummed about cvt - June 12 - 7:06 pm

  At 60000 the transmission was already having problems. At 70000 miles and 5 years old my transmission needs replacement. While driving for about 10-15 miles, it would have resistance at a stop sign, trying to pull into traffic. I would press the gas pedal and the Murano doesnt want to go, its scary when I pull into traffic and a car is coming. I love all other features of the Murano, just the CVT stinks. Today my Murano is stuck in the shop and I need $5000-$6000 to replace the transmission.

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  Love It - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By goarmada - June 12 - 10:00 am

  We have had some minor problems such as ripped trim and unbalanced tires. but on the whole we love it. would not recommend as a daily driver or commuter as it guzzles gas. so much is standard that all we added to the base se was 4X4, bose, and dvd player. would have liked to have a sunroof at that trim level.