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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  WORST CAR EVER PURCHASED - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By WOOODYWOOD - December 7 - 1:16 pm

  I bought this van with 3 miles on it! I wanted a family car and I really liked the way the quest looked. Thus, I bought one. This was the worst purchase I have ever made! It has been to the dealership 7 times since March! I have had 4 tire sensor problems, that the dealership cant fix! I also had a mildew smell coming out of my vents! The dealership told me that something could have crawled into the van and DIED and that this would not be covered under my warranty! I would have to pay for them to fix this problem! A brand new van!!! Finally, the dealership has the smell in the vents fixed, but the tire sensor is still flagging and the van doesnt qualify as a lemon per Nissan. DO NOT BUY!

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  My Rogue has the Nissan Drone - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By Lewis Muldrow - December 7 - 9:58 am

  When you test drive this car please make sure you find a long test drive route where you can maintain 1,500 RPM. The CVT transmission causes a harmonic vibration in regular mode. It is caused by moving into the highest gear possible, as quickly as possible to obtain the best fuel economy. You are no doubt asking how does this guy know this. Well I bought a new Rogue in July and have a vibration in my steering wheel at 1,500 RPM. I took it back and the the dealer said nothing could be done. I called Nissan and they said they are aware and nothing could be done. The dealer got me in touch with the regional technical service representative. He rode in the vehicle and said this is what you have. Once again nothing can be done. If a fix becomes available we will let you know. This is a feature on all Rogues and you should have felt it when you test drove the car.

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  I love my altima! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By girliegirlaltima - December 7 - 1:36 am

  I was reading all the reveiws everyone had left about the altima and well i still cant change my mind about the car..I LOVE IT!! Even though since i bought the car about a couple of months ago i have been hearing noises coming from the brakes and the seat. Its funny someone else mentions that. But i still love my altima!

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  Terrible car - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By xie004 - December 6 - 6:09 pm

  Bought this car at 60k. Repaired this car every year since then for average more than $1k a year. Replaced a lot of parts. Made a big mistake trying to keep this car. At only 131k milage, engine died. Terrible car. Avoid Nissan at any cost.

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  2013 Nissan Altima is a winner - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By mrtbone13 - December 6 - 5:52 pm

  To start, I traded in a fully loaded Infiniti G35xS. I absolutely loved the car, but due to the rising gas prices and the cost of owning the car, I made a decision to trade it in. There were really 2 main reasons for doing so. 1- I wanted a car that got better then 19MPG, and 2- something that wasnt as expensive to own. The Infiniti needed Premium gas and the oil changes and general car maintenance was a climbing expense throughout owning the car. I ultimately chose the 2.5SL as the features in the car are hands down better then the other trims Nissan offers. So far Im getting 32MPG+ depending on the type of driving. Best 4 door sedan out there when getting the SL trim.

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  Refined SV - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By emac4454 - December 6 - 9:31 am

  I have owned 2005 S, 2012 S now 2015 SV. I have to say that I am very impressed with the 15 model. Nissan has made some impressive changes overall (noise reduction in the cabin, wind noise, cockpit display, power driver seat, sport mode, aux, usb). I only driven this vehicle for 500 miles, I just love the exterior look.

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  I Love It - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Keri123 - December 6 - 8:43 am

  Overall i think this car is amazing. It is fun to drive and i love the way that it feels when you drive it. I have had no problems with it it is perfect. I recently just found new features in the car. In the center counsel you can take out the cup holders and it is one big open section. It drives very nicely as well. It is a smooth drive i can feel the power. I always look down and im driving faster then it feels like im going. The transmission is very smooth and i think that is the best feature to have.

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  The Only Choice - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Dan - December 5 - 5:00 pm

  I looked at all the similar trucks (Dakota, Ranger, Colorado, Toyota, Honda). I drove them all. There is no doubt that this is the best truck of the group. It performs with speed far better than any thing else. Its look and feel is much nicer than all the rest. It is comfortable and fun to drive. From someone who has always owned SUVs (Grand Cherokee, Explorer, Murano, Suburban, and Durango), this rates right up there with any of them in terms of driving comfort. Nissan has their act together.

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  My First SUV and is the best SUV!!! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Saint2010 - December 5 - 11:33 am

  This is my first SUV. Added the premium package and other extras like splashguards, floor mats, etc. We do a lot of road trips and this is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. I test drove Highlander, Pilot, MDX and found Pathfinder to be the best of all. Being 61" I feel this vehicle has the most comfortable seating.

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  Econo-Mini-Maxima and a sports car heart - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Peter R - December 5 - 3:16 am

  Excellent aftermarket seats in SE-R. Very quiet car with powerful quiet A/C. Handling is outstanding, can literally do right angle turns, no fishtail. Needs no stability control. No torque steer evident at all. Car will best EPA mpg easily - expect 25+ city and 33+ hwy. Very powerful, torquey engine with 173 ft-lbs at low, low 2800 rpm. Car will leap forward if asked. Two laner @ 40 mph barely touching gas. CVT downshifts to maintain constant speed on steep grades saving brakes and fuel. Upshifts to save fuel if you back off a tad. Overall brilliant execution of engine/tranny/suspension and brakes. Engineering excellence obvious in build rigidity and handling under power. Midsize ergos!!!