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:

• 

  Nissans Lemon - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ericka - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Beware, I have has many bad experiences with my brand new Nissan Quest. Nissan keeps giving me the run around. My car has been in for repair 4 times since I purchased it. While at the Nissan repait shop, I encountered another unhappy new car pruchaser from Nissan. He had also had his brand new Maxima in the repair shop 4 times and Nissan does not have a clue as to what the problem is. I myself have has a radio replaced, which still is not working and also a fuel pump. This is a brand new vehicle!!!

• 

  Was great, now headache - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By young max - June 18 - 1:36 am

  This car was a dream in the beginning, It had great acceleration, high text gadgets that all worked, heated seats and Xeon head lights and a wonderful sound system. I brought this car with 30k miles back in 2007. Now in 2009 I have replaced 3 wheel bearing, A Bose sub woofer, (by the way the Head unit isnt a BOSE unit), a drivers power window and a very costly transmission. My advice is to stay away from this model. It looks great, but the cost of up keep will disappoint you. For a car that was once over 30K isnÂ’t built better than a car you can buy for 10K. Go with a higher quality car, maybe the Infiniti. Nissans flagship is a joke. My 1996 Honda Accord was a way better investment!!!!

• 

  Touchy brakes, spongy cornering - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By richardh - June 16 - 3:00 pm

  I bought an 09 with 26k on it. Brakes were touchy from the start but thought they would wear-in. No such luck. Minimal foot pressure feels like youve slammed on the brakes. Had dealer check them out. After he test drove it, said thats normal. If it is dont know how they keep selling the model. Other complaint is extreme body roll in corners. Maybe its just lack of seat support. Really liked the looks and power of the car but could not live with brakes and cornering. Sold it after six months.

• 

  No Power! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By wadk - June 15 - 10:04 am

  XE is severely underpowered, too much truck and not enough engine, should never have got it. Need the V6.

• 

  I hate this car! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Bummed Sentra Driver - June 13 - 10:16 am

  Weve had a terrible time with this car. The first issue we had was the CD player ate the disk and wont throw it up. The car overheats constantly. We cant take it out of town for fear of being stranded. It is reluctant starting, it usually takes 3 times to get it to start!

• 

  What a Lemmon!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Racer2004 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this early this year. Started noticing the problems right away. Leaky sunroof, creaking sliding doors, cheap plastic inside and lots of rattle. Minivan is new so dealer does not know how to fix properly. Often it takes months to get parts. Already made multiple trips to dealer. Not sure when what will break.

• 

  NOT AS GOOD AS A CAMRY... - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Mr & Mrs. Wonderful - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Made a mistake buying this vehicle. I like the the exterior design. After 2 months, thats about it! The comfort level is beginning to fade and other things cannot compare to the Toyota Camry, which my wife has. The leather seats/padding are cheap hard leather. Compared to the plusher leather of the Toyota Camry. The more I drive the Altima, the more discomfort I am experiencing. As a previous review noted, the BOSE is dissapointing in sound quality. The dail controls are outdated as well. I am already selling this mistake. Sadly, the resale value, and response is a BIG FAT zero! I may trade it for a Toyota Camry soon! I will NEVER BUY a Nissan product again

• 

  2006 Nissan Pathfinder - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By melyssa 75 - May 30 - 6:40 pm

  I bought this with fairly low miles 50k. It has a high idle with vibration under the driver seat when you start engine. Theres an exclamation symbol thats been on since two days after purchase. Ive taken it to get tires inflated but the symbol still remains. The steering is very hard ,seats are loose for some reason, when I turn I can feel it move. This vehicle aside from the steering being hard has a great takeoff,seating could be more spacious. The front seats are stiff and uncomfortable . The Bose stereo would be nice if the cd player would work. The stereo has static and bad reception and thats in town.This has been a total disappointment.

• 

  Fun car at first, But Z ya later! - 2009 Nissan 350Z
  By bryanbrock - May 29 - 6:40 pm

  car is impossible to get comfortable in after about 30 minutes of driving. The designer should be shot, The center console and door mounted arm rest are "for looks" and are located way down ware your hip bones are. Its either both arms stretched out clinging to the wheel or nothing. You will feel every bump in the road terribly!! ..this is the year 2010, if others can be sporty and not buck you out of the car doing so than so should the z! You know what.. Ill just come out and say It, Buy a ford Mustang GT and save your self a lot of grief! mustang has 300hp, Mustang has more room, you dont feel every bump, interior is great! convertible tob works better! ..WE do not miss our Z at all.

• 

  Ill never buy another Nissan! - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By AdamK - May 27 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Nissan, the first being a Maxima. I have had numerous problems with this car, considering in the last 6 months it has been into the dealer 9 times! Dont buy one...and if you have one, make sure you airbag sensors actaully work!