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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  Waste of money - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By murjose - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This car looks great and runs great for the first couple thousand miles. However, I have always had a loud clunking noise from the front suspension. Nissan is unable to fix it and keeps replacing parts, but at my cost. The car is cheap and cost a lot. Buy Honda. I will next time. I am hoping that someone steals this car and I never get it back. Thats how much I hate it. I bought it brand new.

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  So far so good - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Teefer - June 6 - 7:40 pm

  Just picked it up yesterday after years of waiting and researching (thank you Edmunds!) 2.5S with Convenience Package and Moonroof in Winter Frost. Im 6 2" so I have the seat back/down, which does create some blind spots. Ride is quiet and the CVT is great. Push-button start and keyless entry are pretty neat.

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  Do Not Waste Your Money! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Dissappointed - June 6 - 1:16 am

  I bought a 2004 Nissan Murano back in 2006, since then I have had a list of problems and issues with it. I dropped the transfer case at 62,000 miles... Since my warranty ended at 60,000 I had to fight to get the dealer to pay for it, or it would have been a $6400 fix... Also, the Murano eats Wheel Barrings! At least once a year I am replacing the barrings.. If that wasnt enough to deter you, try mysterious rattles in the dash and door, Hatch handle works when it wants to and gas mileage is not great. The Murano is a very "pretty" cross over SUV, but the mechanical issues far out-weigh the positives on this one. Do not waste your money buying one or your time repairing it.

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  I hope this Nissan I know - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By marklea - June 5 - 2:53 pm

  Nissan did a nice job in concept of this van. Radical exterior look, roomy lay out of interior, functional features. The reason I personally bought this van was for my personal track record with the 3.5 engine and overall Nissan reliablity. I have owned other Nissans and interior appointments have not always been A+, but Nissan cars look good,perform with a sporty edge, and most importantly are reliable. So far I am somewhat concerned based on what I read in other reviews. I have had a few quality issues in first 2 months, trim falling off, rear heater not function, ash tray compartment not fit etc. Nothing major though. Extended warranty helps though

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  GREAT CAR FOR THE PRICE - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Suns2006 - June 5 - 11:30 am

  I bought my Nissan 350Z Roadster Convertible just a few months ago and I love the exterior. If they would leave the exterior alone and focus on making a high quality/high tech interior, this car would be above and beyound for what you get. The 280hp engine is awesome. I get from 0-60 so quickly that I blow everyone else around me away and leave them fading into the background. The only con I have with this car is the quality of some of the interior materials. The leather is crap. The interior design overall is boring. I hope when Nissan comes out with its next version, they spruce up the interior and do minor modifications to the exterior. Nissan keep up the good work!

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  2007 maxima SL - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By mack - June 3 - 5:20 pm

  This is a very smooth riding car and is easy to drive.

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  Transmission problems - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By thammonds - June 3 - 8:00 am

  What a huge disappointment! I fell in love with my brand new pathfinder on the lot. As soon as I got it I had to put it in for service because the cloth was coming off of the drivers seat after about the 4th try I stopped taking it needless to say they never fixed it right transmission started messing after 1 year I did not know the noise I was hearing was not normal now 2 years later it is completely broke and costs 6800 to fix initially I took it in for a diagnostic test because I had no heat it was blowing cold air, they told me that the fluids from the radiator leaked into the transmission and made it go bad and they are not responsible for fixing Not worth money you have to put into it

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  Fun to Drive - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By geibelkj - June 3 - 7:10 am

  This is a fun car to drive. Traded in a 2009 accord EX-L for an end of year 09 Altima 2.5 SL. The Altima is a great car. has excellent pickup with the CVT. Smooth and quiet. Fuel economy is good, just took a 4 hour road trip, saw a little over 30 mpg.

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  Better then expected - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By rob c - June 3 - 4:20 am

  I bought the car for a second vehicle. I am impressed with its performance so far. It has unbelievable room for a small car, we are a family of 5 and we fit perfect. I thought that it would have a tough time getting up to seed on the highway with the whole family but it handles the job fine. The car is a great buy overall.

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  Good for 20-somethings - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Colorado Girl - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Fast and limber. Fun to drive. Great in snow. Not super comfortable, though. Very truck-like ride. Forget this car if youre a smoker. The ash tray is almost impossible to use and the lighter broke the first month. I (a 32-year old woman) recommend this car for guys in their 20s. Its a fast and manly car...and its easy to get a good deal. I paid $500 below invoice.