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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  Could be better - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Could be better - April 10 - 6:16 pm

  My biggest complaint is the gas mileage. After 8000+ miles Im getting 24 city and 30 highway. Nowhere near what its rated at and Ive checked it repeatedly. Knowing that now Im not sure I would by this car if I had it to do over again. We have two teenage sons and need a big back seat and this car has it. How is it that Nissan can put in Blue Tooth and a Smart key but cant put in a compass/temp read out. Havent had any problems with the car so far, if it stays that way Ill forget about the gas mileage.

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  Another Bad Engine - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By JSanchez - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Same story as below, mine is 64,000 and the engine is gone after driving fine for 3 years. All regular maintenance is done. Just like below, one day light came on with knocking and misfiring noise. Dealer said same thing: needs a new engine. I am waiting for a used one from an ind. mechanic, for a replacement cost (incl. labor) of $2,500. I had intended to drive this car until it is paid for (19 more months!) I will NEVER buy another Nissan.

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  Plagued With Problems - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Kathryn - April 5 - 2:33 pm

  I bought my 2009 Nissan Versa SL about 6 months ago. About a month after purchase, the AC starting making loud rattling noises. Brought it to the dealership to be fixed with no success. Had to argue with the dealer just to get them to even look at the car again, and 2 months later and after 2 more drop-offs that problem appears to be solved by replacing the entire AC system. A few weeks after this incident, the car starts having trouble turning over. The dealer replaces the Fuel Pump Regulator, which solves the problem for about 6 weeks. Today, the car is back in the shop with the same issue again. Already considering getting rid of it, despite the loss I would take. NOT RECOMMENDED.

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  Disappointment compared to 1994 Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By nissandriver9408 - April 4 - 4:40 pm

  I purchased this car in new 2004, after driving a 1994 Altima into the ground and loving every mile. This car has cost me quite a bit in maintenance (religious about that) and repairs, and I have a clutch waiting to go (drove 250K miles on last clutch so dont blame the driver). The interior is chintzy, the cup holder broke just out of warranty and will cost a mint to fix, the glove compartment barely opens, the list goes on with inconveniences. I will keep this car until it dies because it is relatively fun to drive & somewhat reliable. Yet, compared to the 1994 Altima it is a disappointment... the pretty boy of Altimas. Nissan cheaped on value to deliver a good looking car.

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  Xcomfort - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Fred Garvin - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Take a long test drive before you buy. The front seats are HORRIBLE!!! Learn from my mistake; look at all the others before you decide. Im getting 12-13MPG at best, and its not really very fun to drive on the highway. Not happy with this purchase.

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  Engine Oil Cooler - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Prefecto1 - March 29 - 10:06 pm

  Hey out there, All you new 2009 370Z Car owners need to ensure that your 370Z Car can handle high Ambient temperatures. I live in Georgia, and the ambient temperature is almost always above 90 degrees, during the months of June, July, August and September. Ive had numerous contacts with Nissans Consumer Affairs Department, regarding the 370Z Cars need of an ENGINE OIL COOLER. The 370Z can not handle driving at speeds of 60 MPH, or more, with out the ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE reaching the 280 degree mark, which is what Nissan indicates is the MAX OIL TEMPERATURE the car should operate at. All 370Z car owners should contact Nissans Consumer Affairs Department and demand a RECALL!

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  Nissan should accept their mistake - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Andy - March 29 - 6:04 pm

  Bought my 2013 Altima SV 2.5L in May of 2013 considering all the features and low price. Within 2-3 months of driving started to hear constant high pitch noise and the other roaring noise from the engine. Overall driving experience sucks considering vibration coming out from the CVT and person on the passenger seat also feels it. Complained about noise, vibration and CVT feel twice during warranty period and tech said everything is NORMAL(as if I was stupid to complain). At 50000 miles went back as the engine noise became more lauder and frequent. Dealer found issue in the alternator and replaced it-cost to me was $700. It should have replaced while It was under warranty. Engine roaring noise has been fixed but driving experience is still same considering CVT vibrations and high pitch power steering noise. Tech at the dealer says the high pitch noise is normal... Every single car makes it and nothing can be done about it. I mean common guys.... its 22k dollars for [non-permissible content removed] noise..!! For the price of the car I got damm good features like... moonroof, navigation, bluetooth, backup camera, remote start, keyless entry and climate control but the real feel of driving car sucks big time. Real bad job on the CVT and other engine components. Probably they made so many people fool selling all these feature really cheap covering their huge defect on the engine noise and vibration. I have 1997 nissan altima and I prefer driving that car over 2013. I am a huge fan of nissan.... but considering recent experience I wont just blindly trust the brand anymore.... !!

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  2016 Maxima SL - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Tom L - March 29 - 10:23 am

  My car is only 3 weeks into the lease and it already requires an entire new sunroof. When filling up the tank to full it estimates 400 miles and after 3 full tanks Ive only got an average of 250 miles a tank. I mostly drive highway and and havent even used sport mode. I am disappointed a brand new car has such a serious defect right off the lot and may not have myou car for a few weeks.

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  Some Xs are better than others, I wasnt lucky - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By paraguayo - March 26 - 8:06 am

  I bought my X in 2004, at first everything went great. I have 167 K miles on mine and it wasnt a walk in the park. Where do I start, at 120k miles i spent 1500 dollars repairing the entire cluth assy. At 130 K the entire brake system went to hell ( another 1200 dollars. at 135 k miles the shocks went to hell ( another 900 dollars). At 138k miles or so 150 to replace the liner. Long story short...I replaced the compressor ( 900 dollars) , the water pump ( 700 dollars) , I replaced the radio ( 130 dollars) , the catalyst converter ( 900 dollars or so) , I had to replace the starter ( 800 dollars) . Now at 167 K miles , the only thing I havent replaced is the cup holder..IT SUCKS!

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  1997 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD SE - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By tinneywife - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We have had this vehicle for almost 2 years now. It had 50K miles when we purchased it, but I felt comfortable because it was a Nissan. We have had a few problems: replacing struts & strut plates (I have never taken it off- road), cracked manifold, replaced brakes twice, and info. lights in cluster sometimes go off for no mechanical reason.