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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  Maxima SE 2001 - Not So Good - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By JeffT in Texas - May 27 - 10:00 am

  I know numerous people that love their Maxima, but Im not one of them. Heres why: 1) CD was bad when purchased and had to be replaced 2) O2 sensors were bad and took 5 trips for the dealer to fix. 3) Paint on front bumper doesnt handle road debris well. Looks like its peeling and very unsightly. 4) Alternator just replaced at 55K miles (car isnt 3 yrs old yet). Contacted Nissan about covering it (warranty)anyway - they asked a bunch of useless questions to determine if I was worth bothering with and refused to help. 5) SE model tires are very expensive. OEM tires (Michelins) perform bad in moderate rain. I will NEVER buy another Nissan again.

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  Go with Honda, not Nissan!! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By MoneyBags - May 27 - 10:00 am

  This is an ok car. not all that great. Reliablity is very questionable... I would go with a Honda Accord over this car anyday. Better performance, handeling, features, and RELIABILITY!! The Honda Accord is the car that the Altima wanted to be.

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  Too much $$$ for so little sizzle - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Ed Bradley - May 21 - 1:50 pm

  Had this for a company car and disliked every minute in it. Terrible interior that featured poor display lighting (had to put duct tape over blindingly green colored "brights on" and "cruise activated" lights), back breaking seats if driving over 2 hours at a time, and sluggish performance with the awful CVT transmission. So many other crossovers have passed the Murano by that I cant believe anyone would pay near sticker price for this car. Interior is also noisy at freeway speeds exceeding 65 mph. Interior materials seemed like they were sourced from a Chevy supplier and dash display would be considered acceptable on an 80s era vehicle, not a car costing north of 30k.

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  Only buy if its a steal!!! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By travisbeamon - May 20 - 1:20 pm

  The car itself has been good to me for the three years Ive owned it until recently. The transmission is garbage. Just like everyone else my Maxima bumps, randomly shifts, accelerates, and downshifts hard when stopping. Sometimes it wont even downshift when I stop it will stay in 3rd gear. Only 70k on the car. This car has been serviced on time by Nissan the entire three years Ive owned it so it has been taken care of. Its just a known defect with these cars. I thought I bought a Nissan not a Dodge! $4500 to repair the transmission. Whos going to pay that much for a car that is 6 years old? Im looking to trade it in and leave Nissan alone because they wont stand by their products!

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  Buyer Beware - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By S Cantino - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this car with 56,000. Soon discovered what others have been talking about. Prepared myself for the worse and at 90,000 the catalytic converter self destructed. Caught it in time and replaced with new. Shortly thereafter the head gasket problem surfaced and the transmission needed to be replaced. Far more repairs than one would expect from Nissan. The engine problems should be addressed. There are better cars out there.

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  We call our Quest "the money pit" - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By A Sienna Next Time - May 19 - 10:00 am

  The maintenance costs of a Quest are unbelievably high. It is the first car Ive owned which needs a brake pad & rotor replacement every year, and new tires every year and a half. (None of previous vehicles have chewed through these like the Quest!) The car rattles, and we had to take our to the dealership for engine noise multiple times before they *finally) believed us based on a new service bulletin that went out. Too bad - its a stylish minivan, and we had high hopes for it. Its functional for our family, but we just wish it was lower-maintenance.

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  Terrible Drive - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By TD - May 19 - 5:20 am

  This car is a wreck waiting to happen. Maybe its just my Xterra, but the steering is jumpy, it doesnt hold its line in Hi-way driving and be careful if you think about taking it off-road. Ive taken mine several times into the hills and mud of North Carolina and if you take a bump or a rut too hard the jolt the car gives you can easily put you in the passenger seat. My 1993 Jeep Cherokee handled the terrain with ease...even though I am going to get destroyed on my trade in....this car is going back and Im buying something else. Good Luck

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  Poor/defective pearl white paint job - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By klis1 - May 17 - 2:13 am

  Purchased 2013 Altima in Pearl white, the day after I discovered a paint defect that was evident in low light and shade. Defect listed as mottling, shadowing or zebra/tiger striping. I was able to return the vehicle to dealer a month later after a bit of drama (too much to fit in this review) due to clerical errors that prevented the financing from going through and saved me the time of a Lemon Law case. Tried Nissan by creating a case but was stalled by rep that kept needing additional time for “review”. Defect was evident in showroom of another dealer for a car assembled in Smyrna,TN. Other issues consistent with reviews for heated seats, trany and steering noise. Maybe time for Accord

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  Terrible car; terrible company - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Evan - May 16 - 8:56 pm

  I purchased this car brand new, and had problems from day 1. 6 recalls in the first 3 years; should have been a clue. Once I hit about 60K the maintenance got very expensive, than at 90K a very common problem, the catalytic converter went and caused engine damage, after $1000 in repairs, I cut my losses and sold it before the engine got worse. This seems to be all to common on this car, so be wear! I would not recommend any nissan product to anyone.

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  Tranny - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By tunderk - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Great car until the extended warranty ended. Then, needed new 5 sp manual trans Other negatives are high priced tires for optional rims.