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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  Truck Must Have Been Built on a Friday - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By TSmith - June 10 - 10:36 am

  I do not know how anyone could rate this truck at anything but very poor. I guess that I must have just bought a vehicle built on a bad day. I purchased this vehicle right after they came out and had many problems with it even though it was taken very good care of. Bad fit and finish. Every small item in car broke. Plastic on inside of the passenger door shattered when it was very cold one winter. No power. Bad gas mileage. Rear tailgate fell off. A very heavy small truck and bad 4WD. At 115k the engine blew a head gasket and the mechanic said I needed a new engine! I was through. I paid a premium price for this truck and it was anything but that. My last Nissan.

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  Needs Improvement! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Vandy - June 8 - 11:00 pm

  This is my 6th Nissan to own and maybe my last. The 04 Armada has quality issues, starting with the brakes. I have had my brakes worked on twice and heading in for a third. It begins with a vibration in your steering while braking. Took it to the dealership at approximately 8K, they shaved the brake rotars, then again at 11K the rotors were completed replaced as well as adding a stronger torque bar for stabilization. Now I have no idea what they will do and I am at 15K and concerned my warranty will run out before the problem is resolved. It is a pain to pay $33,000 for a new vehicle and have to have it in the shop this much. Nissan needs to do a recall and take care of the consumer.

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  think twice - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By barbara - June 1 - 7:46 pm

  Murano is a rough ride, more like a truck not quiet at all and uncomfortable and stiff. Lots of blind spots. No cargo room and more trouble to lock and unlock with the intelligent key. Murano is grossly overrated. I cannot believe I am stuck with it for 3 more years. How do you get out of a lease?

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  Two years old less than 45k engine FAILURE - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By bowiestategrad - May 30 - 9:01 pm

  Two years in as im driving down the highway truck began to rev high and loose speed rapidly. Took it to the dealer and was told they found an error code but would need to duplicate the problem. After they had it for three days and put over 100 miles on it, the final decision was since it did not have engine failure on them the vehicle was safe and reliable to drive. Spoke with Nissan USA, and was informed I would have to get stuck on the side of the road again, bring the vehicle back and then they would look further into fixing my troubles. This will be the LAST nissan/Infiniti I EVER purchase as they do not stand by their vehicles.. as previously stated I had less than 45k!

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  Bad Transmission - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By E Vining - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I agree that the mileage is poor with this vehicle. But really bothers me is that I need to put in a new transmission at only 56,0000 miles. There are two recalls on this vehicle 1) transmission part 2) seatbelt Will not buy another one, will go back to Honda Accord.

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  DONT BUY IT - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By kay d. - May 1 - 4:00 pm

  This is the worst car I have owned. I should have kept my previous car. This car is good to look at but nissan compromised on quality with this car. I have been having mechanical problems since purchasing this vehicle and no one can seem to fix the problem. There is a thumping noise coming from the wheel area. The interior is missing simple things like coin compartment and sun/eye glass holder. I am short and feel it lacks head room. the seats are horrible and the air conditioning/heated driver seat is a joke. I am ready to trade in this vehicle in.

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  First and last Nissan - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Racheal - April 19 - 10:00 am

  My sentra was my first car and I was at first excited because I had limited means and the Sentra is an affordable car. I have had the car for nearly two cars and have had to replace the transmission take it for at least two recalls. They replaced the transmission because it had a piece of metal in it and yet I still hear grinding noises when I accelerate. BEWARE

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  Cramped and Weak - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Joe.C - April 5 - 5:53 pm

  I made a big mistake purchasing this vehicle. The cabin is the most cramped of any vehicle I have ever driven. I am 60" with a 33-34 inseam in pants and my knee always managed to hit the steering wheel no matter where the seat was. The seats were horrible. I could not drive for more than 30min without pain. The gas mileage was beyond terrible. The engine is super weak. I only put 5500 miles on it and I had squeaks in the suspension and rattles in the windows. The steering was very vague and numb. The rear end shuddered when no load was in the back. What a mistake! I have since purchased a used 02 Ford Ranger XLT and I am very happy. The room, features and ride are so much better.

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  Nissan does not deliver - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By sicofnissan - April 4 - 9:06 am

  I purchased my 2008 Rouge in Dec. of 2007 and have had it back to the dealer 4 times, resulting in the replacement of 2 transmissions and 1 trans case. Now I am experiencing the transmission slipping when slowing down or stopping.

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  Wish I still had my Honda - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Sam - March 31 - 8:56 pm

  Purchased this car in December 2007. Returned to dealer 4 times for clunking noise when starting out.Dealer was unable to locate problem. Now drivers seat is loose when turning.This is my last Nissan product.