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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  **Warning**2005 Pathfinder Defect** - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Roger - September 17 - 7:36 pm

  I and many others who bought the new 2005 Pathfinder from the same dealership have found a defect with the exterior. The defect is found on many but not all new Pathfinders, so please inspect before you drive a new one off the dealer lot. On the drivers side [passenger] door, look at the top toward the windshield. The metal should slightly curve inward and be smooth and flush with the lines of the truck. However, on many, the curve has more of a pushed in (bent) look than flush with the lines of the truck. This does problem does not occur on the [drivers] door. So, please inspect carefully in the daylight before you purchase and drive that new 2005 Pathfinder home. Outside of this, I am happy.

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  Never Buying Nissan Again - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By cmadd78 - September 17 - 3:06 pm

  We bought a NEW Nissan Quest in 2008. When we first bought we enjoyed every aspect of it. About a month later the problems began. The windows would whistle as we picked up speed (dealership claimed it was normal), we had some problems with ac not working properly (dealership fixed), and then a few years later the cheap car starts having more and more issues. The passengers side mirror cover on the visor falls off, the body rattles, the passengers side window motor quit working, the brake disks warped and had to be replaced, you so much as sneeze on the thing and the paint will scratch or the body dents. Features are nice but van is built too cheap. Cant wait to get rid of it!!

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  2006 Altima SE - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Jonathon - September 17 - 2:56 pm

  This is my first Nissan and it has really impressed me. Great on gas, lots of power, fun to drive. Love the Bose stereo and heated seats. I drive 50% city and 50% highway and current gas mileage is 26mpg.

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  After 37K, Update and farewell - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By JohnBuller - September 17 - 6:03 am

  I loved the car when I first had it, but 3 years later, the bloom is off. Still great, but not the same thrill. Its been fast, fun, reliable, but doesnt wear well both interior or exterior, and I am a fanatic about care. Paint quality is an issue; Sheer Silver looks great, but paint is poor, esp on front bumper and hood. The turning radius is HORRIBLE; 40.5 feet puts it in SUV territory. Car felt porky and didnt excite me even with all its bells and whistles. I tire of cars easily, but thought Id have it forever. Traded for an 05 Altima SL. Not that the Max is a bad car; far from it, it just doesnt grow on you. It felt clunky after 37,000 miles; I got bored.

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  My first Nissan - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By twduke - September 16 - 5:10 pm

  Previously had BMWs. Still have one. Needed more cargo space but full size SUVs just too large for me so crossovers got my attention. I researched & drove the Lexus, BMW, Acura, Infiniti crossovers then just stumbled across the Murano on the web, read up on them & had 2 test drives. Decided not to throw money away on other vehicles that were not as good as the Murano when it came to features, power, driving pleasure, and comfort. Got the tech, premium, leather, & dual moonroof options. Already had a portable nav system so passed on theirs. After 1,500 miles I am very happy with the car. Makes for a relaxing commute. Getting 20-21 mpg in rush hour/city driving. Nissan got this one right!

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  Engine Knock, High Winding transmission - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Christine Bowyer - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new, after 637 miles car engine started knocking. High winding transmission noises. Been in the shop for 28 days, serviced 4 times. Changed 6 different parts, then they had to install a new engine. New engine still knocks, Nissan will no longer honor warranty with only 13,000 miles. So am in Arbitration w/ BBB AUTOLINE. Hopefully this will get resolved. Other than all that car is cute, economic about 27-33mph.

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  Long lasting low maintenance - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Goxy - September 15 - 11:02 pm

  In 2004 bought 2005 model and during these 11 years and 195,000 miles did one tune-up, changed oil, filter, tires, breaks, and battery. In addition, I own 2010 Maxima and 2011 Altima. Comparing to my friends cars, Nissan is a way better than any other one.

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  2nd Murano - Just got the 2009 Version - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By nocbtuba1 - September 15 - 4:10 pm

  I just took ownership of a 2009 Murano- SL AWD. This is my second Murano previous one was a 2006 SL FWD. At first drive, I actually like this Murano better than the 2006. Though I will miss the adjustable pedals. I like the new dash, a little more traditional than the 2006. quality is excellent! The Bose system is better in the 2009 than the 2006. THis is very important to me, Im in the profession.THe 2009 is way less muddy sounding, crisper highs. Driving feels even better, and I loved the 2006. I never had mechanical issues with the first, I hope the second is just as good, if not better. Great job, Nissan.

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  Still Like It - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By TX Driver - September 15 - 1:16 pm

  I got my Pathfinder brand new and drive it 30 miles every day to and from work. My husband and I also wind up driving it on the weekends instead of his 2003 Chevrolet Pickup. We call it the "grocery wagon" because its so easy to access the back to put in shopping bags. It seems like it can haul just about as much as a full-sized pickup when we fold the seats down. Its sturdy, airtight, and has plenty of pickup on the road. I was looking for another SUV, but the new ones dont have much more to offer than my 2002 model.

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  Dissapointing Quality - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Bill - September 15 - 4:03 am

  Mechanically, the Maxima is top notch. Unfortunately, the constant rattling and creaking of the interior literally destroys the ownership experience of an otherwise great car. I have had a number of new japanese autos and surprised by the lack of quality on the interior of this car. I have family members and friends with similar complaints about wearing fabric, rattling dashboard and leaking sunroofs.