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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  Buy the 3.5 engine 2.5 problem - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Mike - April 3 - 4:40 am

  Buy the 3.5 engine. The 2.5 has a screw that falls into the engine block and they will have to replace your engine. This is a problem Nissan knows about. Thats why they have increased the warranty on that engine. Buy Nissan but get the 3.5 engine. The fuel cost difference is little. Great car but if I knew then what I know now I would have bought the 3.5 engine. The catalytic converter recall is because of that screw. No other problems with the car except the engine and oil the engine eats. I have 60,000 miles on mine and only replaced the tires and brakes. Check the oil often because it eats oil. Make sure they add 4.5qts of oil and not just 4qts. Check oil every 1500 miles.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By dsw - April 1 - 10:40 pm

  I have had this car for three years. The only problem I have had with it was the tire misalignment that they had with the first year vehicles. Nissan replaced the tires and corrected the alignment after two years of driving for no charge. It is very fun to drive with ample power. Mountain roads are a blast, if traffic cooperates.

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  1 month. So far so good - 2016 Nissan Pathfinder
  By lee stewart - March 30 - 6:04 am

  We needed a SUV to tow a boat and a 3rd row seat for our family. The Pathfinder provided all of these things. We got a great deal on a 2015 with Platinum trim. After a month of driving we are still enjoying all the features. I realy like the back up camera and 360 degree view it offers. Towing has been fine.

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  Nissan Armada LE 4X4 - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Fish - March 30 - 2:56 am

  So far this has been an outstanding vehicle. My wife and I chose it to replace our Ford Expedition and have not been disappointed. The only thing you have to realize is that performance (7.0 sec. 0-60 mph acceleration and a 9,000 lb. towing capacity with the 4X4) comes at a price, in this case fuel economy. Do not expect to actually achieve greater than 11-12 in town. Havent sone an extended trip on the highway so I cant comment on the highway fuel economy, but realize this is one of the few full-size SUVs built that offers a five-speed automatic vs. the standard four.

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  good all rounder - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By webster - March 30 - 2:00 am

  vehicle has been reliable with the exception of the window motors. i have replaced 3 of the 4. i am willing the last one to fail prior to the warranty running out. fuel mileage is dismal, acceleration is poor, sunroof is useless, and ride over bumps is awful. then again, it is a true SUV based off a truck, not a car dressed as an SUV. other than these few shortcomings and problems, the truck has been easy to live with.

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  Highly disappointed - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By nunya - March 28 - 10:03 pm

  Have had this car for less than 48 hrs. and finding out a lot of things I really dont like. Sunroof was not working, so I was really down thinking I had to take it back to the dealer. After some reading I find out it just doesnt work like it should, and this is the gist of what I really hate about this car. Nothing is directly controlled. Everything from the "pushbutton start" to the sunroof and who knows what else, is just a signal being sent to a cpu to run a sequence to do the work. Had I known this, id never considered buying it. I told the salesperson Id gladly pay more not to have the stupid electronic key thing. Its just an expensive trinket waiting to break.

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  Radiator Fluid Leaked into Transmission - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By RadiatorProblem - March 28 - 8:10 pm

  Was very satisfied with the vehicle until the past few months. It is already starting to lose its paint in some areas and the radiator on this vehicle cracked so that the radiator fluid went into the transmission. The transmission is now ruined and I need a new transmission ($5000+). This seems to be a pretty common problem for 2005- 2008 Pathfinders and Xterras).

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  PURPLE - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By FRANKIE - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Its a good, dependable. I like the body its still made out of metal, that makes stronger than fiberglass.

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  Its Ok, better than american made - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By Stones - March 28 - 10:00 am

  My wife loves this mini-van. It is Kid friendly with TV/VCR. Excellent for long trips, but only if you are carrying a few things. Handles well, but not in hills. If you are taller than 57" you are likely to have problems getting your feet stretched in the driver seat.

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  2002 Maxima SE 6-speed - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By 2k2maxMD - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Had this car for two months now (2000 miles). Replaced a 1998 Honda Accord EX- V6 Coupe with this car. I am very satisfied with the ride even though is is not as smooth as the Accord Coupe was at high speeds (+70MPH). The clutch motion and engine are extremely smooth. The 6-disc sound system is par at best. The rear deck subwoofer sounds muddy and can only handle half the power without distorting. Wind noise at moderate speeds is noticable but bearable. In short, the Maxima has the ergonomics and all of the comforts that an average commuter is looking for; not exactly a Lexus, but the performance and lower price make this car a great buy.