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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  NEVER AGAIN - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By dhayward4 - October 19 - 6:11 pm

  Was driving a 01 Accord, got bored and wanted a change. So I purchased this car on St. Pattys Day in 09 with 57xxx miles on it. Got a good deal on the car. At first I loved my new car. But then it changed. QUICK. I heard of the transmission problems but figured that it wouldnt happen to me. Well it did. Shortly after that I had to replace all 4 tires 2 times. With 18 factory tires arent going to be cheap. Add the Z rating, now tires wont last long at all. After the tires came the headlights. $200 for all the lights up front to be changed. Next was the struts, shocks, bearings ect. $1200 later. Now I am in need to replace the timing belt. Car is a money pit.

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  Buyng & Driving the car was easy, dealing with WC - 2015 Nissan Sentra
  By Debra - October 17 - 3:13 am

  I would recommend this car. I feel that it is a good car for the price. However, I would not recommend buying it from Wesley Chapel Nissan. Everyone there was very pleasant and all were accommodating while I was there. Since leaving the dealership, which was about one month ago, I have not been able to get anyone to return my calls or emails.

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  Reasonable Car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By saman1 - October 16 - 11:11 am

  Very comfortable, reliable, somewhat fun to drive, somewhat rough to drive (not smooth ride). Spacey, good interior design, not so good exterior design. glove-box noise. drive train noise especially back wheels. shakes and vibrates at high speeds.

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  Never Buy a Nissan Again - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By kevin from Rochester - October 16 - 10:00 am

  have had for almost 3 years now. Lots of recalls, interior road noise, gas from fuel tank sloshes around while cornering, turning radius is horrible, breaks went at 28 K. (not turable rotors so it cost me around $400). Slippery in the snow and when wet, interior fogging is the worst I have even experienced. Has been like an American car, will not buy a nissan again

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  Dissapointing - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Mark_Char - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Blew the tranny after 6 mos. ownership. I bought it used had it for 6 months, only had 140 kms on it. Never used for towing or never abused. Nissan Canada wouldnt even consider helping me out. Strangely all the reviews were excellent for this vehicle. Lesson learned, dont believe everything you read, Im still burning my consumer reports magazines!! Talked to several shops theyve had many repairs lately due to rad problems causing insufficient cooling of tranny. Even 1999 models. Im waiting for the recall.

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  Not what nissan advertise as an SUV... - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Xjunk - October 12 - 10:43 pm

  Had this vehicle for repairs under warranty twice a month during 36000 miles. Basically changed everything under warranty. Fixed window regulators, both seats replaced, a/c compressor, abs actuator, WHOLE rear axle, curtain airbags deployed at 12k miles driving in mud. Definitely not what Nissan advertises as off road vehicle. Engine idles bad even after doing a 400 dollar injection cleanup by dealer. gas mileage is really bad and lots of noise, clunking under body. Nissan North America service was horrible, had my car for a month because of airbag issues and not covered under warranty!!! Never ever gona buy another nissan.

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  Wish I bought a Honda - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Shea - October 9 - 6:33 am

  This is the first car I have ever bought by myself and needless to say I am not impressed. I did buy it used, but the dealership insisted it was in great condition. There is a rattle in the door that after 3 trys from the dealership isnt fixed. Within 2 weeks of owning it my battery exploded. I have spent 1200 on the front and they then told me my engine mount was broke, the belts are all cracking, the radiator house is leaking etc. The finishing on the woodgrain has peeled. When my brake pads got low there was no warning went straight to grinding which resulted in more damage. Now Im without a car again because the fuel pump. Im a college student without money & now a unreliable vehicle.

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  CVT is HORRIBLE!! - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By Fred - October 8 - 10:23 am

  This is my 6th Nissan (third Maxima) and my last. There is a constant rumbling vibration felt through the gas pedal and steering wheel between 20-45 mph. Dealer tried couldnt fix it, so rep came and said "this is normal for this transmission". NORMAL!? For a $30,000 car! They tout this new transmission as seamless, which apparently its not. So, Im now stuck with it! Its a design flaw Nissan wont admit to.

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  What was I thinking? - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By fancypants1 - October 3 - 9:06 pm

  I traded my lovely trouble free Honda Accord for this 2005 Murano SL with 82k miles. Was told the previous owner babied this vehicle. The leather is practically perfect so I was like ok. Week 1--the battery dies. I replaced a 2005 Nissan Factory battery in 2013!! With a J-05 code on it. Even after I replaced the battery the car wouldnt start. I tell the dealer I bought it from they cant look at it until monday. I finally get it started but I smell gas just briefly. I make it to dealer only to have the service guy tell me he cant look at it. grrr. I drive back and my gas level depletes pretty quickly. Glad I made it home. I ended up walking to work as I am now out of gas.

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  Building equity to get rid of it! - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Marc C. - October 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has done what it was designed to do which is to get from point A to point B. Never had a break down or anything other than routine maintenance. The interior road noise and 70mph "shimmy" are unbearable on long trips. New tires, 4-wheel alignments, and computer balancing havent helped one bit. And lets not forget the shaky hood. I get nervous driving at highway speeds because the hood shakes up and down like its about to fly off. This car has never been in a collision, but its parts fit together like it has. Im waiting to get the loan paid down enough to trade in on a Monte Carlo or Impala. Ill never buy an import again.