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:

• 

  Best Bang for the Buck - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By ducksquat - February 4 - 10:56 am

  With gas prices soaring and my Jeep Wrangler eeking out a pathetic 14 mpg average, I had to do something about it. At 64", I needed a vehicle that would accommodate my size and be useful for an upcoming baby. I just didnt fit without my head bumping the roof in the new Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata. But, much to my surprise, the Nissan Altima was a winner in terms of "fit." Im very impressed with the power of the 4- cylinder, which felt much like what I had in my old V6 Accord. It rides very smooth, quiet and is refined. Im very glad I bought this vehicle and have absolutely no buyers remorse. It has a great aggressive style to it and wonderful for touring.

• 

  Best sedan hands down - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By clangille - February 4 - 7:33 am

  This has to be the most powerful & smooth 4 cylinder engine ever built. Not worth the extra for the 6 cylinder, trust me. The drive and handling are comparable to that of a $40k-$50k sedan. Interior is quiet, comfortable and extremely roomy. You get alot of car for the money, with great standard features. Vehicle is sleek and classy yet sporty all at once. Great gas mileage as well. Excellent all around car!

• 

  05 Pathfinder SE 4x4 - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ZANE - February 3 - 4:03 pm

  We sat on the fence for a long time between the 4Runner and Pathfinder and we are very grateful we picked the Pathfinder. We love the exterior look and the drive feel. The extra set of seats will be perfect when family visits. We no longer have to take two vehicle or squeeze into one, we can comfortably ride together. As returning Nissan customers we expect many years of riding enjoyment in our new Pathfinder.

• 

  some quility/dealer problems - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Mike - February 3 - 11:20 am

  Great looks, nice handling(have the track model), crappy build quality. I had this thing in for minor things....it just gets annoying. The dealer refused to fix my faulty window regulator under warrentey becuase I had after market speakers installed. Even though its a known problem. It took 5 trips to Devon Nissan to fix it. After my first trip it got stuck in the down position on a 300 mile trip. Huge after market....I have $10,000 invested in the suspension/brakes/dvd/stereo. It is a sweet set up and grabs attention everywhere. I buy a new car every 12 months so this one is being replaced. Honestly it will probably be my last Nissan due to the build quility and horrible dealer ex

• 

  what a scam, NISSAN CONNECT - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By Kelly - February 3 - 9:56 am

  very disappointed, had to pay for sirius to make sure my nissan connect was connected. now I have to pay and additional subscription for the NISSAN CONNECT. You would think that paying over 33K for a vehicle that the technology that was sold with the vehicle would be included with the vehicle.!!!!!!!!

• 

  Fantastic Truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By SuaSponte - February 3 - 4:53 am

  I shopped for a while and narrowed my full size crew cab truck choice down to a Ford F-150 Lariat or the Nissan Titan LE, both 4x4s. After a couple of test drives it was a no-brainer, the Nissan was far superior in all respects. The Ford seats were not comfortable, the Nissans sound system and controls were much better; additionally, the navigation system in the Nissan was awesome and much better implemented. The Ford F-150s power was an also ran in comparison. Both trucks ride and handle very well for big rides, but the Nissan felt more stable in the mountain roads where I ride. Also love the spray in bedliner from the factory and the innovative bed management rail system, etc...

• 

  Disappointed Sentra owner - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By camrylover - February 3 - 4:06 am

  This car has been a huge disappointment for me. Any wind tends to blow it all over the road & it feels like I am wrestling a pickup or semi. The wind tends to suck the car sideways and blow it to the point that I have to turn the steering wheel 30 degrees off to hold it on the road on a day where the wind is 20 mph which sucks. Also on snowy days it tends to want to fishtail. Fuel economy is at best is 28 though typically 27 on the highway compared to my camry which got a solid 30. The seats are not comfy for anyone even slightly over weight as the location of the seat belts tends to jab, even 128lb daughter complains about it. Also the steering is very stiff.

• 

  Update Report From October, 2010 - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By hikercamper - February 2 - 9:11 pm

  42,500 Miles. Still under factory warranty - timing chain is being replaced. Gas mileage started dropping, so am having fuel service, including cleaning of fuel injectors and de-carbon valves. Rear shocks will be replaced with Bilstein shocks. Have received two notices from Nissan extending warranties on fuel sensor assembly to 60,000 miles and the radiator assembly to 72,000. Feeling concerned about the mechanical reliability of this vehicle. Thought the Xterra would have held up better than this. Bought new and have owned the Xterra for three and a half years.

• 

  So far so good - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By girlfriend1 - February 2 - 6:11 pm

  Ive had the car for almost three years. We bought it with 29,000 miles and thus far all has gone well. Gets scary reading the other reviews. Dont like turning radius. All else has been fine.

• 

  Love my 98 SE 5 speed - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Jonathan - February 2 - 5:20 pm

  Bought this car with 95000 mi. 4 yrs ago and I have been running it hard ever since. The car is comfortable, classy, fast, dependable, fun to drive and now with 195000 mi. still runs strong and torquey. Very few problems in the 100,000 miles I have had it. In really cold weather the cruise control is intermittent. I had to have a new airbag control at 185,000, $750. Now the ABS light is on. Will get that fixed in the spring. Other than that I have had no real problems... still running the same clutch, same water pump, same alternator, same suspension parts, no problems. I love this car. Its one of those rare cars that comes along and it becomes a keeper. I love this car.