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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  Very disappointed - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By joe - January 9 - 8:20 am

  My second review since buying in June of 07. The fuel economy is not good at all. Lucky to get 20 mpg in local driving. I live in the country where the roads are hilly and expect the mpg to be down a bit but cant see how I would ever get 25-27. The CVT is so intrusive at times, everytime the car goes downhill or around a corner with a downgrade it downshifts. At times this seems great but not all the time. Leaves you wondering. However I think if you live in less hilly areas performance would be better.

• 

  love this car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By marie - January 8 - 4:36 pm

  I went from a jeep to this because of the gas mileage and the distance that I have to drive now. I have to say that I wasnt so sure about how I would like this car but so far I am very pleased. The ride could be a lot less noisier and the exterior mirrors are too small. It is a very comfortable car and the MPG was wht made me consider buying it. The arm rest looks cheap compare to the rest of the interior. I think NISSAN can make a heavier arm rest.

• 

  mone pit - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By redfur1977 - January 7 - 9:01 pm

  This has been the best and worst I have ever owned. The car handles great. Gets 30 mpg at 70mph. Wasnt expensive. Beautiful to look at. But it has been the most un reliable piece I have ever had the displease of owning. Bought the car with 100k. Two weeks after buying it transmision rebuild($4400). Then broke the cv joints because the transmission stressed them slamming into gear before the rebuild. Them a complete suspension rebuild. Now it need timing chain guides. Memory seats never worked. I have had over $8000 in repairs to this car and now..... The transmission is goin out again at 160k. Cant wait to get me an american car. FIrst and last Jap car I will own.

• 

  Sorry in Reisterstown - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Sorry in Reisterstow - January 6 - 9:23 pm

  Great looking, handling, performance,but reliability and quality of build questionable. Purchased July 2009. As of October 23, 2009 had to return for leaking water into interior from moonroof and again for battery failure. Whats next? Plan to trade-in for a Honda and take a lost. At least I wont need to worry about traveling any distance because of the possible next break down. Although the dealer repaired the cause of the leak, it refused to replace the wet padding unless an odor developed and only charged the completely dead battery.

• 

  Good except the gas millage - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Darien - January 6 - 10:36 am

  For the most part Im pleased with the car. The suspension is passable on bumpy city roads, but could use work on future models. The gas millage is terrible for a car this size. At best I get 330 miles on a tank of gas city driving. Nissan really needs to improve that to make it worth buying. Based on gas millage alone, you might as well get an Altima if you have the finances. Other than that, no major complaints.

• 

  After 35,000 miles, Im selling - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Joe - January 5 - 11:20 pm

  We own a 2006 Pathfinder LE (35,000 miles) and a 2005 Toyota 4Runner (45,000 miles). When new, I liked the Pathfinder more. Now I prefer the 4Runner. The Toyota has been trouble free, while Ive been to Nissan a number of times for silly stuff: running board rubber peeled up, idler pulley noisy, drivers window slamming into track, heater control jams, door handle fell off, etc. Also, handling seems to have deteriorated to the point of being scary around turns that arent smooth. Bad shocks? While my dealer has been superb, the car has not. Toyota does build a better vehicle. But, I love the drivetrain on the Path - very strong and smooth. Improve the suspension to the level of the drivetrain.

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  I really enjoy it - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By IamAng - January 5 - 7:16 am

  The gas mileage isnt great only about 22mpg. The ride is really nice, I love sitting so high up. The exterior design is really different. The interior is mostly plastic that scratches easily.

• 

  They dont make them like the used to... - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Jamez - January 4 - 3:43 pm

  I must say I have been a bit disappointed with this generation Maxima. My 97 SE was amazing, but somewhere in the crossing over, Nissan focused too much on power and not enough on the driver. The Bose sound system is a joke, the electronic seats are great but stopped working right after I bought it, the interior feels cheap and allows lots of wind noise. Fan for heater makes horrible grinding noise, so loud in fact it can be heard outside the car; how embarrassing! The styling and everything about this car feels old and worn out...I just want to get rid of it but Im stuck with loads of negative equity!! Yikes!!

• 

  Great Little SUV - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By rickp - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a terrific SUV. The acronym of Stupid Usless Vehicle does not apply to the X. It performs well on the highway, it is comfortable and nimble on the streets. If the X has a problem it is in that it is not a cheep vehicle to operate. The Gas milage is poor and the engine could use a few more CIs. The bottom line for the X is its off road capability. This little truck has never backed up to any off road situation that I have put it into. Granted it is not a FJ40, but the unit will take you anywhere that a sane person wants to go.

• 

  Solid as Rock - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By SamX - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I like this car! I had a 1997 Honda Accord and totaled it in a accident, I had a deal on that car, and it was Manual, so its why I took it. It has 375 000km, its so much for a car... but its solid as rock. Only normal think to change, O2 sensors and brakes... A great Car!!