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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  I love my car...BUT! - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By nesspoopy81 - October 31 - 2:48 am

  This is the 3rd Sentra I have owned and by far my favorite! I had a 2002, 2008 & now 2013 and never had a problem with any of them until now. On my first drive in the 2013 the car turned off while I was driving. No lights nothing, just off. It turned right back on and I took it in and Nissan was great! 2 transmission updates and I was on the road again. I just hit 30,000 miles and coasted into the dealership. I need a new transmission. I dont know how long they are going to have my car but I miss it already.

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  An oldie but goodie - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Mark Hoffman - October 31 - 1:10 am

  Have owned my 98 Maxima for just over two years. I purchased it from a family member with only 51,000 miles on the odometer. The car has been reliable and fun to drive. Its a great interstate hauler having made four trips between Indiana and Texas over the last year. The car is very comfortable to drive and the handling is superb. One of its greatest attributes is its almost 360 degree driver visibility. Blind spots are practically non-existent. Highway mileage is great at 30 mpg, but city driving tends to consume a lot of fuel. The only mechanical problem has been a fluid leak in the power steering.

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  Not your Daddys Sports Car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Bill - October 30 - 11:56 pm

  Bought this car New Years Eve (yes,the dealership was open Sunday before the holiday). Performance/handling is great. Have to constantly look at the speedometer to check my speed. The car is that smooth. I can even fit my golf bag with a few pieces of soft luggage, no problem. Even though this is a performance sports car I get better mileage with the Z than my SUV. The only negative is the tires cant be rotated,and they are not cheap (18"front/19"rear).

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  Murano - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Santiago Dominguez E - October 30 - 10:36 pm

  Ive had a good experience although I thought the materials used in the interior were of much better quality...

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  the worst car ever - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By MOE - October 30 - 6:50 pm

  I bought this car two years ago. It had 63 k on it. I replaced head gasket after 1500k, I changed whole brake system, engine light has been always on! I changed oxygen sensor, crankshaft sensor. Steering wheel is making noise. Gas mileage is ok but you have to put premium gas! And the latest one I cannot pass emission test. Fantastic car! Nissan is my first and last car

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  Best Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mr. W - October 30 - 8:40 am

  Going on 22,000 miles and i cant complain. Been to Utah and Nevada twice with killer gas mileage. This V6 roars and does not hesitate ask the little civics i can take offline. Comfort is great and the room is awesome i can walk back to the rear seat with no problem. A true family truckster!

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  My Altima - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By autotech - October 30 - 7:36 am

  My 10 yr old Nissan Altima is one of the best cars that I have ever owned, and Ive had quite a few over the years before I bought this. This car has been really good to me and the repairs have been very minor and only in the last couple of years...things do wear out after all. The body has held up really well too; no signs of rust and it still looks nice. If I were to replace it, that would be because Im bored and want something new (this is the longest Ive ever kept a car. I used to get a new one every 4-6 yrs).

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  Sad to post... - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By jasonmontreal - October 30 - 3:20 am

  For 50,000 km (about 30,000 miles) my Versa was perfect. Then one day the problems started.... 1) Car started to make diesel-like noise every time I accelerated. I took it to the dealer and they informed me there was a crack in the pistons. Result=a new engine at 50,000 km 2) Air conditioning pump failed about 5,000 km later. Dealer repaired under warranty 3) The final draw was this week, when the car wouldnt start and left me stranded in a parking lot at night. I had the car towed to the dealer where I learned that the fuel pump was finished. As the car is out of warranty, repairs were $700 I signed for a Toyota Corolla yesterday, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted.

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  1st. year in Production,I would buy a dozen more. - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Adam Sands - October 30 - 2:57 am

  You should know that you have a reliable,safe,vehicle that will go anywhere,everyday.My x-terra owes me nothing.Over 200,000 miles.still perky and strong.I have a 5 speed man.trans.and Ive had to replace clutch @ about 130,000 miles.after driving lessons with 2 kids and towing a boat out of the water every weekend.Ive only had a few issues through the years.A/C compressor failed after 100,000 mi.quick fix= removed belt and rolled down windows.Broken leaf spring,due to rust sand/salt is a challenge here in MA.Dealer replacement springs were about $325.local mech repaired+new shocks.DIY tune ups are a challenge to get the #5 spark plug out.*tip= after tune-up check that ALL spark plugs were replaced.honest repair men are rare.The only "issue I had was getting the "4wd"to disengage back to 2w drive.theirs a sequence.drive 35mph in 3rd gear and shift out of 4wd.some times it takes awhile for it to go back to normal drive.Thats it for issues..AWESOME truck for snow,rough roads,hills,and trails.The only reason Im getting rid of my xterra is that I cant keep up with the RUST spots.Mine started on the back hatch ,little blisters,and every year it spreads all over.Good thing I am so handy with bondo and primer paint finishing.I LOVE MY TRUCK.

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  Love the Versa - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By Fifth Nissan - October 30 - 1:43 am

  I bought the Versa after attending a car show and sitting in every small car made. The Versa is extraordinarily roomy and comfortable for its size, as roomy as most midsized. The headroom, both in front and in back are excellent. The seats are comfortable, especially for a subcompact. Ive read some comments about the width of the Versa. It is indeed narrow, but the designers have constructed the Versa in such as way as to create a sense of greater width than it objectively has. Im pretty wide, 5 6" and 250, and I truthfully do not feel squished. Ive owned my Versa for about 3 months. It handles beautifully. The ride is quiet. I highly recommend it.