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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  Rusty 2008 Altima - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By captsquid - April 23 - 12:18 pm

  Rust is an issue on Altimas newer than 2006. I was just informed that there is a "football sized hole in my floorboard" on 9/30/16, drivers side. Passenger side was not checked. I was told this is a common issue, but thought to affect 2002-2006 models. Wrong!!! I am shocked to hear this as I fully expected to drive this car for ten years. Remember Toyota buying back Tacoma trucks because of rust issues? This was a company protecting the reputation of its products and serving the customers who bought them. Nisssan will not recall these affected vehicles even though the problem is acknowledged to exist. Never buying another Nissan.

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  Nissan....not again! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By grublet22 - April 22 - 12:09 pm

  I have been driving this vehicle from brand new from September 2007 and I very disappointed that at 68,000 miles, I have been nickled and dimed to death with vehicle. Tires replaced twice due to the super poor alignment! I have had it realigned twice now, working on a 3 rd time. Muffler rusted through and had to have that repaired. Now I am dealing with the fuel injectors.....just had to put out $350 to have them cleaned and coolant flush. Rear door seal falling off. Break lights needed replaced by mechanic because the average person cant do it by themselves.This will be my 1st and last Nissan.

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  Loved It But It Let Me Down - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By NewJeepGirl - April 21 - 7:43 am

  I really loved this truck. Had great performance-never seemed to lack HP, 6 spd tranny lots of fun. ABS computer died at 400 miles none of the gauges worked. Cam seal started leaking at 23K, then dealership couldnt get parts claiming they were hopelessly backordered. Nissan Corporate was no help either. Nice truck if you get a reliable one (good luck-its a crap shoot). Family has had good luck with older Nissans-this one was definitely my last. Traded it for an 08 Jeep Patriot, and was so glad I did-AWD, Lifetime powertrain warentee, better ride and easier to get in/out of. Cant tow my camper like the X, but thats what my 97 Ford Expedition is for!

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  Just "OK" - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Jeffrey - April 21 - 1:16 am

  Ive had my Sentra for 18 mos. and have come to the conclusion that it is just "OK". I have 25,000 miles on it and it has been reliable-no mechanical problems. That said, having been a Honda owner previously (Civics and Accords), I wish now that I had stuck with Honda for two reasons: comfort and fuel economy. I drive 120 miles daily on straight, flat, highways and the best I have ever gotten was 32 MPG. I did better than that with my Accord which was bigger and more powerful, and far better than that with my Civic. Regarding comfort, the absence of telescopic steering means having to drive with outstretched arms, which is uncomfortable and annoying. Also, road noise is a bit loud.

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  Shop Around..... - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan Young - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Exterior design is very nice with very nice features and lines. Other than that, if I could get rid of it without losing money, I would do so in a heartbeat.

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  1997 Nissan Sentra - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By osgoodusa - April 17 - 11:43 pm

  This is the second worst care I have owned. out of about 15 cars and pickups. At 88000 miles, the fuel system failed completely, the steering and front suspension are going out, and the timing chain is about to go. The oil and filter have been faithfully changed every 3000 miles. It is a strange combination of poor performance and bad gas mileage. Yuk!

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  1ST SUV - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By YO - April 17 - 11:43 am

  This was my first time owning a SUV. I fell in love until I had to fill the gas tank. The gas mileage on this SUV is very bad for a 4cyl vehicle. There is no get up and go. How could you have a visor without vanity mirrors? Take this SUV and start over from scratch. And next time have a female design it.

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  What in the world did I pay for - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Deborah - April 16 - 2:13 pm

  Yes, I know you dont buy a car just for all of the bells and whistles. Doesnt that add to the decision of your purchase? I traded a 2012 maxima for this beautiful 2016 Platinum. There are a few things that really bother me about the vehicle like stupid visors. They look like they were forgotten about and just had some thrown on. The curves on the outside of the visor are just in the right spot for the sun to come through when you use the slide feature. In the previous Maxima there was a sliding extender that worked very well for blocking out the blinding sun. That did not need to be changed. I also had a six disc CD changer that also included a feature that I could record my CDs and save them right there in the system. Now I have just one disc option . That did not need to change. Now the thing that really makes me upset with my purchase is the fact that all of the cool apps I was told about are not available on the TOP OF THE LINE, FULLY LOADED 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA I PAID OVER 42, 000 FOR. Talk about buyers remorse. if the little small things I thought I was getting could change then this would be the perfect vehicle. If I could turn back the clock a few months I would have kept my 2012 and waited until these stupid things were fixed. On top of all of that, there was a recall already on the fuel system/gas tank and after starting the vehicle there is an annoying clicking when I apply the break that I was told was something that I would just have to live with.

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  Shoulda bought a Grand Prix GTP - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Max-owner - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Not bad. Powerful, comfortable, but I liked the 1996 version I owned better. It was classier and more practical.

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  What happened? - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Alex - April 14 - 1:13 am

  My original Quest was a 98 whose only defect was the heater going in 2 yrs. My 2000 gave me major problems and is about to die. I dont understand. I know people with 98s and 96s who havent had anywhere near the problems Ive had. Even with mechanical breakdown I feel I traded in a great minivan for a knock-off of the original. The front end makes noise always like its falling apart and now it is stalling like a 90 year old at the olympics. My friend has a 98 with 30k more miles on it than mine (147k) and he has no major trouble and puts a lot of miles everyday on it. Cant wait to say goodbye to it.