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 - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Patrick J. McShane - August 25 - 1:10 am

  I bought my 2004 Maxima 3.5 SL brand new and I maintain it religiously. I owned a 1997 and that was one of the best cars I ever owned. This is probably the worst car I ever owned. Two recalls, the transmission went 100 miles before the warranty expired. Front grille replaced 3 times because of peeling. Brake problems. Had all the documentation and got zero satisfaction from Nissan. Latest - ABS problem, rear bearings, etc. All expensive repairs. Wrote a letter to the President of Nissan - no response. I will never ever ever buy another Nissan product.

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  A Decent Commuter - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By autojunkie79 - August 19 - 6:13 pm

  As my daily driver, the Altima is very quiet compared to the previous generation and gets great gas mileage (30.1 mpg avg) despite spirited driving tendencies (70+ mph, squirting through traffic). Now at 56K, it has been very reliable though there are several minor quality issues: A heat shield that rattles when engine is cold, air intake that keeps coming off and rear wheel well liner that keeps popping out - nothing that affects drivability or safety. For a midsize family sedan, the Altima handles surprisingly well but the electric steering is lifeless and OEM tires are horrid in the snow. I dont love this car, but I dont hate it either. Its a safe bet, just like Camry and Accord.

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  350z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By buddhaj - August 14 - 10:00 am

  i enjoy driving my z a great deal. it does however dent easily and has a substantial amount of interior noise. not the engine or road noise that is to be expected, but creaks and various rattles under various conditions. i have attempted to have the problem fixed but i believe that my local dealers mechanics are deaf or the noises dissipate when i am not in the car. at any rate they continue to exist. driving the car is surperb. the handling is outstanding and if not for traction control i know that on one occasion i would have wrecked my car. i wish the car had 50 more horsepower and 500 fewer pounds.

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  Disappointed - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Jack B. - August 13 - 3:29 pm

  This car has a droning noise at 1800. - 1900 RPM. I find it to be annoying. Nissan says it is an exhaust tuning issue that is normal. I drove a 2003 Murano SL for 165,000 miles and never had to listen to it drone at highway cruising speed. I am sorry I made this purchase. The only improvement over the 2003 is the back-up camera.

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  Dont let them fix it! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By brandon11111111 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Yeah, it sounds strange, but dont take your car in forthe "cold weather shutdown" recall. They will install a screen that is capable of blocking ice crystals from getting to the fuel pump. Since that was done to our car, the car has shut down 3 times in any weather! Basically the accelerator stops working. Its as if you put your car in neutral, but if you try to use your accelerator, nothing happens. Doesnt even rev. I know this has happened to several Altimas because the dealership couldnt figure out what was wrong and called Nissan who said they have no idea, but that these complaints are coming in heavy.

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  I will not buy it again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Grigor Terterian - August 8 - 2:00 am

  1) Both side sliding doors are making such a bad noise that it seems that the door is going to fall down any minute now... 2) The second problem is performance. Even though the car is OK performance wise, but lets say you drive 30mph and press the gas pedal little bit, the noise that comes from the motor is seems you are going uphill... 3) Driver seat and the passanger seat desings are so poor that you will never be able to rest your head on the headrest. 4) The drivers seat does not go back too much, so it seems you are stuck there... 5) On the back seat, it is too rough.

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  Dont buy this one AT ALL COST!! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By Dan Philbeck - August 7 - 8:03 pm

  After getting this car, it started falling apart. The interior trim is terrible. I have broken 22 pieces off in it. Not by pulling or jerking on them. Knobs, switches, etc. you name it. I have been at the dealer 10 times on this piece of junk. AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!

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  Nice Car, BUT........................... - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Sonya - August 6 - 2:03 am

  I purchased this car used with only 18,500 miles on it and got a great price and the first year was fantastic.Great gas mileage 20/25, fun 2 drive, roomy then at the anniversary of my purchase coming back from a trip to NC with 45,500 miles on the car the transmission went out.Who would think a car would have transmission issues at 45,000? I would never think of such a thing but it did. Yes it was still under warranty BUT can I trust it to go on trips again? NO! I am a previous owner of a 95 nissan pathfinder that never had an issue and I drove it for 215,000 miles.Thought nissan was a reliable vehicle told all my friends to buy a nissan now I am not sure anymore..Very Disappointed in NISSAN

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  So good so far - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By surfburger - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for a newer car with good gas mileage. Choose the Sentra beacuse we have had several Nisson cars, one a 92 Stanza, that have been reliable. Average mileage so far (5550 miles) has been near 35 on long trips, including with A/C going.

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  Lots of suspension problems, no help!! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Phil - July 21 - 8:06 pm

  I am only 25 so this was the first car I ever purchased. Since about 3 months into owning the vehicle I have had a squeak in my left front end and popping in my right front end on turning and acceleration. While I do love the style and looks of the car I have a feeling down the line I am going to have some expensive repair bills due to poor quality in the build of the vehicle. I was told after my warranty expired they are starting to find problems in the front end, I asked Nissan Corp. for help and was told my car is out of warranty there was nothing they could do.