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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  falling apart at 80K mi - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By John - January 23 - 10:40 pm

  The car was more or less fine till it got close to 80K mi. The car never came close to the sticker mi/gl - 23 mi/gl at best. After warranty ended (at 36K) - I replaced MAF, rear brake caliper, alternator, battery, all ignition coils, 1 O2 sensor, 2 sets of tires. Ive been battling with check engine light for two months now... $800 later its still on. Dealership replaces one part after another with no end in sight. Now dealership wants $2,000 more to replace both catalytic converters, refuses to do it under emission warranty. I called Nissan Corp.- they dont want to help either. So much for customer service and loyalty. Oh well, last Nissan that my family will ever buy!

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  Great car - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By wd - January 23 - 8:26 pm

  This is a reliable vehicle that gets good mileage (33 mpg highway). Its dependable and also handles well. Overdrive provides decent acceleration for its size. Its a good commuter vehicle.

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  My first Disappointment in Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Killian Tools - January 23 - 5:56 pm

  Ive worked and owned several Nissans. This is by far the worst one Ive had. At 67000 I had to have the Alternator replaced ($672.00) Now at 87000 the timing chain is rattling / pecking. Cost of repair $1104.63 Ive put over 200,000 miles on my altima.

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  pathfinder leads the way - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By RJB - January 23 - 3:53 pm

  The outside noise stays outside. I can hear my daughter from the third row seat. The power is there when i need it. The horn is not loud enough. I liked the horn on my ford explorer better. Everything else is up to par.

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  More hp - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By KEVIN - January 23 - 9:20 am

  Traded in my 06 wrangler (190 hp) i-6 and my 05 f150 v-8 (235 hp) v-6 nissan (265 hp) one truck one payment one insurance better mileage than both more power than both, better everything including warranty. Great in the snow and off road. No problems, someday detroit will wake up, well hopefully!!

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  New and improved - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Crimson revolution - January 23 - 8:26 am

  Great job on the redesign. Love the dual DVd screens. Lots of room and the comfort is fantastic.

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  Best value entry level luxury sportsedan - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Jay - January 23 - 6:13 am

  Coming off FX35 lease I was thought I was going to G37X. Problem was it was too small for me. Not to mention it looks like everything else on the road. This is best bang for the buck ! Roomy nice interior. Basically what you are getting is a FWD Maxima w/ Infinity interior ( even nicer IMO) Great V6 Hard to beat !

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  Problem with timing chain - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By nikmol - January 23 - 6:08 am

  I have had a whining noise from the engine when accelerate. When to the Nissan dealer today to ask about it, and it could be the wheels that the timing chain is running (bad bearing or something like that). It would cost around $1800 to fix it. Even if I have an extended warranty, it wont cover it, since it is wear parts. So this seems to be a common problem then. Should I car with only 70k mileage have to change the timing chain and belonging parts. I think there should be a recall about this. [non-permissible content removed.]

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  Mistake-imus Maximas - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By David - January 22 - 12:50 am

  I was a happy owner of this vehicle for just under a year. Then I took it in for its 80,000 mile check up. First they found some oil leaks. Then a few days later my radiator had a leak. Then a week later I found that my head gasket was leaking. Over $3000 in repairs later, Im selling this money pit and going for something that with better quality parts that will last me longer. All in all, a very disappointing Nissan. BEFORE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE...open up the hood and check out the design of the radiator: a plastic frame crimped together with the metal. You can expect to drop over $300 replacing that part in the very near future. Its a wonder the part hasnt been recalled.

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  Perfect Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Nancy - January 22 - 12:16 am

  I bought this car in highschool when I was 17. I bought it brand new. It has been 5 years & I still have it & still runs like new! The only problems that I did had was twice that the car turned off by itself but that was the time I had received a letter of recalls.... I sent it back twice to get it fixed for the recalls & havent had any trouble since! Of course I have followed most of the maintenance that states on the manual & until now I have had no trouble at all with my car! My car now has over 100,000 miles & its still running! I am hoping it lasts me another 100,000 miles! It is a reliable, spacious & good looking car! I would not have kept it for so long if it wasnt!