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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  This car sucks! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By biggdaddy23 - May 15 - 7:23 am

  Bought the car in 2006 with only 31,000 miles. Kept getting a cylinder 2 misfire and tried everything to fix it, change coil pack, spark plugs etc. Car starts shaking and had a weird smell like someone posted earlier. Had to replace motor mounts, brakes and power steering pump. Every six months it seemed like the car had a problem that needed fixing. The catalytic converter needed replacing and the ac compressor also was going out on the car so I decided to trade it in for a hyundai elantra this week. i realized that i spent almost $4,000 dollars into repairing this car. I will never buy a Nissan ever again!

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  Poor competitor to the Civic - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Joe Ramiro - May 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is just a poor example of how a compact should be made. Even though it is Japanese it is more on par with its American counterparts then it is its Japanese. The car is loud, VERY loud. Tire noise, thumps, bumps, squeaks, rattles, etc. The windows make a rustling noise when you lower them. Just poorly constructed. 0-40 was actually impressive, however the torque curve is set that way intentionally; probably a good city car however merging onto the highway is not fun. I just traded this in for an 04 Civic. NO COMPARISON. Honda wins hands down.

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  Titan quality as bad as 80s-era Hyundai - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By boggsdj - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Titan quality is horrible! Really, terribly bad, not just a little bit bad. At 350 miles (my 2nd $50.00 tank of gas) interior and exterior trim pieces are falling off or splitting apart in 5 places. Vehicle quality is on par with 80s-era Hyundai or 70s-era GM. I bought Japanese seeking quality. Big mistake! I greatly regret buying this vehicle because its quality is abysmal. The truck is extremely annoying in other ways. The blinkers are excruciatingly loud, so Im having to learn NOT to use them! The stereo volume continually increases and decreases on its own. Seats are uncomfortable. Engine noise is annoying. Materials are 2nd-rate. Suntrup dealership is unhelpful.

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  Bitter lemons!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By 04queststinks - April 15 - 12:43 pm

  We bought this car new in 2004, we immediately started having problems! Rattling back seat which was recalled and the dealers fix for this on our expensive new car was...duct tape! Seriously?! Then the sliding door started rattling, the rubber strip above the side door flew off while driving. Have replaced brakes numerous times, the front windows get stuck when it rains!, the console is made of some cheap material that doesnt wear well, the lights and vents randomly fall out of the ceiling! The timing chain guides broke and the power steering pressure hose broke and it just sucks!!! Waist of $ what a lemon!

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  worst car ever - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By RobD - March 31 - 9:53 pm

  had car in shop over 26 times have had replaced:Steering column, struts, strut mount assembly, a pin in the steering column, steering rack, and an inner cv boot (which came torn from the factory). Along with the front end issue which has never been fixed we have had replaced: brake relay, AC blower motor (2x), Engine block (@ 25k miles), radiator and cvt transmission (both @50k mi somehow radiator fluid got in trans and trans fluid in radiator..go figure), ac relay (2x), fuel pump, fuel sending unit, and assorted interior plastic pieces which broke off. This car is a piece of crap, and so is Nissan customer service. I have had to retain an attorney because they will not fix my car.

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  Very disappointed! !!! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By kiki - March 22 - 6:28 am

  My first car. Its a shame that I am not too happy. Two days every other week I have to call out of work. Because it will blank out in the middle of traffic the same distance everytime. Now a few months later. Its getting kinda cold. When I start it in the morning. When I press the gas the car goes no where. I Will Then Have To Turn Off The Ignition Then Turn It Back On Five Minutes later. I hate it. My biggest turn off.

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  maxima woes - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By marklo - March 18 - 10:00 am

  problems with 04 maxima include harsh shifting auto matic when cold .impossible to start when temp is below 15 degrees and a squeaky shifting seat when cornering tech service bulietens now out on above but dealer does nothing.

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  One of the Worst cars ever owned - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By themanindbox - March 17 - 9:51 pm

  I have owned over 18 cars thus far in my life. The worst by far either this car or the Cadillac I owned. I purchased this car used in 2005 with 27K miles on it. I only owned it till 2006. I sold it with 35K miles on it. It was a terrible car. (6 months) What broke in a year. Power windows (new motors) Door would not open due to cheap plastic clips in the door for the connection to the handle. Rattles in all the plastic Motor was burning oil due to bad piston rings. Seat adjuster broke and would not hold the recline adjustment. (I weighed at the time 135LBS) MPG was awful even when compared to a Roush Mustang. Left me stranded twice

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  2008 Nissan Sentra - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Lee - March 16 - 6:13 pm

  This car screams cheap build quality. Gas mileage is poor 25-28 mpg mostly highway. Uncomfortable driving position found this out over time (needs a telescoping wheel). Gray plastic interior shows every scratch from my fingernails. Looking to dump this car already. Looks great but looks are deceiving. The ride over small bumps knock you around like a wooden roller coaster.

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  Whats all the hype about? - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By Sofie - March 10 - 2:36 pm

  I have read numerous reviews that are all so positive on the Rogue. I really feel like I am missing something. I have only had the car 1 week and I am sooo disappointed I REALLY WISH I could take it back! My main issue is the Huge design flaw (and I believe its also in the Murano (which really wasnt too much better, slightly bigger, way more $$) the rear windshield is too small! The back seat headrests block the sides of the rearview window!!! This "Crossover" drives like a cheapy made compact car. My other auto is a Sonata and that has a far more quieter, smooth ride. I did Not expect this auto to ride so rough,my 06 Pathfinder had a smoother ride! Rate this auto a 5 all around.