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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  Common Complaints - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By fvrsr - August 28 - 9:49 pm

  Steering: big problem with "drift"; easy to deal with in the city, but on a long highway trip? No way. Requires constant, irritating correction. Even using your fingers - after 50 highway miles, my forearms feel the fatigue. "Squealing": yes; some think its the brakes, some think its the steering. For me, the brakes squeal every morning upon leaving my garage. Door handle: lock popped out just by closing the door. Horn: Must push hard in the middle of the wheel (no more "polite" reminder to the driver in front of you that the light changed). etc., etc., etc. Nissan response/service: Very poor.

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  Very disappointed in Nissan! NEVER AGAIN - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By nikitat - August 28 - 6:49 pm

  I bought my 2006 Nissan Maxima with 29,000 miles on it, seemed perfect .....I have had problems with the rotors, it blows a headlight or tail light every 2 weeks and to top it all off, now there is something wrong with the transmisson......Im so hurt and disappointed knowing I only have a year left to pay on my car.........Ohhh well, its back to Honda for me! Thanks Nissan for the experience.........NEVER AGAIN!

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  2008 Nissan Quest 3.5 SE - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Jimbou - August 27 - 7:03 pm

  This car is excellent when it is new. VERY new. Because at 4 months, it is old yet. the interior sounds like if the car was 10 years old. Wind, rattle, vibrations. Customer support overlooks my problems with arrogance. Nothing abnormal, they say.

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  Not what you pay for - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By rich - August 27 - 1:26 pm

  The sole purpose for us buying the car was dependability and gas mileage. In to months we have yet to get either. Brakes glazed in a month, they dont know why. Rotors turned now brakes act funny. Never got any better then 25 mpg on straight highway driving, sticker said 35 mpg.

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  not quite perfect or acceptable! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By kind of mad - August 26 - 10:16 pm

  exhaust sounds like my husbands 69 camaro. lots of interior rattles. upgraded radio has problems. scary towing a heavy boat. i would rather tow with my husbands gmc. backseat of king cab is not fullsize. but it has lots of power and rides nice.

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  New Truck - Same problems - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Dochundley - August 20 - 9:16 pm

  08 Titan, AC drain leaks onto passenger side carpet, rear vibration, guages reflect in side mirror at night, 15MPG, gas spills down the side of truck if you fill up too quickly when low on gas - Udated info available in forums under nissan titan repair and maintenance

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  I really want to like it. - 2011 Nissan Versa
  By wally21 - August 15 - 11:20 pm

  I have reserved judgment for the 30 thousand miles we put on this car but wanted to mention a few items about our Versa SL hatchback with CVTransmission. I don’t think the CVT trans was worth it in this car. It was bundled along with a ground effects body package and rear spoiler, a few other interior items and alloy wheels. I would get the regular auto trans in retrospect as this is just a basic economy car. I would not buy this car again because it feels like it is ageing prematurely. My wife is satisfied because she can plug the iPod into the radio. I don’t like the Versa on New Jersey roads- the suspension is too weak to handle the coarse conditions.Buy one only at a great price!

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  LEMON - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Melly - August 13 - 4:56 pm

  I will have to say that this car has really cost me an arm and a leg. This car has been to the dealership over 20 times since I purchased it in 2005. I had to replace several front end parts at 30,000 miles or less. Also, at 72, 000 miles I had to replace the transmission. Nissan was very awful at fixing their own products. This car has literally broke me in the past two years. My maxima is in the shop at this time getting a hub and strut assembly for the front right. I am very upset about purchasing this car. I have replaced almost every part on the car with the exception of an new engine. I will never purchase another Nissan.

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  :( - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Scorepin - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I chose the Xterra becasue its a Nissan & always loved the car. Have no complaints about the ride or the gas milage, purchased knowing both were bad (the ride is NOT that bad). The vehicle has a major flaw that nissan cant seem to diagnois. At times it make a noise like a weed whacker,shakes, vibrates & wont excel over 50. Nissan plugs it into the computer and if it shows nothing then they say theres nothing wrong with it. They tell me if they dont hear the noise they cant (really mean wont) fix it. She has 5,000 miles on it and has been in the shop 6 times. Also be warned that this is my 5th new vehcile & Nissans service sucks.

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  Cramped - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Disappointed - August 10 - 8:36 pm

  Looking for a car that had some space. Trunk is small. Front seats comfy but, felt like confined space wise. Ride was nice. Bought an Impala. A car with a huge trunk and more cabin space. In your review the breakdown in each category would only register GREAT OR POOR. OK would not register in the survey. Big difference in describing the customers view points. Fix it or delete it.