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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  Nissan with a lot of electrical problems! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By rizeabove - June 1 - 5:40 am

  TPMS replaced new computer for sensors. Hit door locks and occasionally the stereo cuts off. Alarm system when locking used to beep horn and flash lights now just locks (checked all fuses and replaced, no fix). Gas door jammed and bent from wind rushing behind it now I have to use a credit card to open sometimes! I have 25000 miles on car. It is a 6 speed and occasionally on steep grades inclines or descending the car will make rattling noises and Ill feel slight vibration in clutch. Dealer cant reproduce the problem!

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  13 years in the making - 2016 Nissan 370Z
  By Nay Nay, San Diego, CA - May 31 - 7:13 am

  I fell in love with the 2003Z, my mechanic had one. At that time I was a single mom with two daughters to raise. My love for the Z never waivered. Fast forward 13 years to 2016, for my 69th birthday I got my Z. Shes the standard automatic coupe. I decided to lease first because after all I was 69 years old and didnt know, being up in years, if this car was the one for me. Well Ive had her a year and have turned 70 years old this month. When my lease is up I plan to purchase her or lease the 2019. Drove her to Las Vegas and on the open highway she handles the curves like a dream. The Z is simply GREAT EYE CANDY, I get lots of looks and comments. My mechanic says its one of the most reliable sports cars on the market. He went on to say that the Z almost never breaks down and if it is towed its more than likely been in an accident. It roomy to me, back in 2003, weighed almost 300 pounds and have very long legs and I had enough room. Now with the 2016 and weighing only 145 pounds its more than enough room. I have no issues with the trunk space, purchased a coffee table and I got it in the trunk along with several bags of groceries. Would have liked the standard model to have adjustable motorized driver seat. Im retired so the Z was attainable.

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  Good Car for the Money - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By PirateJake - May 31 - 6:20 am

  Lots of headroom for tall people, peppy SR20 engine, sure it rattles and is noisy but it cost next to nothing and is pretty quick for what it is. 105k miles no real problems. Low quality paint. I have had it since the showroom floor and plan to keep it for quite a while longer. Excellent college student car. I commute into Minneapolis every day in it. Civic reliability with Saturn prices. Go for the 5 speed in the charcoal grey or black. Replace the Firestone tires with some Yokohamas. I hit a deer years ago and the car still runs like the day it was new. Five stars for the money.

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  Second Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - May 31 - 5:30 am

  I bought a 2004 Titan S/E crew cab and loved it. I didnt use it in the winter. I live in Maine and cars rust fast up here. I left it in the garage for the winter. I sold it after 6 months because it wasnt getting used. I bought a 2005 Nissan Frontier in April of 2005. It was an L/E crew cab 4x4 and I liked it a lot. The problem...I owned a Titan before a Frontier! Like going from a trailer to a house! After 2 months, I traded the Frontier in for a 2005 Titan crew cab 4x4 S/E with tow package, Off road package and Preferred package. Now Im happy!!!

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  Change the Oil and 4 New Tires - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By 280zx - May 31 - 2:43 am

  I have had a 2004 AWD LS for 13 months and 12,000 miles. Expect to buy new tires--often. Either the Murano has alignment problems or the 18" Goodyear LS tires are junk--and I couldnt find another tire manufacturer that makes the same size tires. I bought my first tire at 11,000 miles and will replace the others in a few thousand miles. This SUV: will lock you out of the car when it feels like it, wheel hops over highway divider strips, has power, is comfortable, looks different, generally handles well, does not rattle unless you leave the seatbelts unlocked, and can get over 20 mpg. I have owned 4 Nissans but will not buy another because of the tires stocked on the Murano.

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  Love It! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By REALTOR - May 30 - 7:43 pm

  First time SUV owner... love the space. Like sitting high above the crowd. Extremely comfortable. Great ventilation. Lots of pep. Easy to handle. "They" say: Once youve stepped "UP", youll never come down!

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  Starting to get concerned.... - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By AnnaB - May 30 - 6:53 pm

  My husband and I were looking for an Suv/crossover that got good mpg and was functional for work or family. We love the look of the Rogue and have an 08 Altima that has been great. We bought this in Feb 2010 and noticed alot of road noise as the weeks went on...especially in the rain. I am 510" and my husband is 62 so the rear view mirror has become a real issue because of the blind spot it creates. My biggest concern has been the vibration and hesitation when accelerating from a stop or onto the freeway. I had it looked at and was told it is the CVT and is a "normal" function. Then, a few days ago, I started it and the motor started revving without warning...just a fluke? or a sign?

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  LOOKS, POWER, SPACE, RELIABLE - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Bill C - May 30 - 12:30 pm

  I Must say after reading some of the comments, it appears some of these folks are not educated consumers and are unfairly rating the vehicle. What are they comparing to a sedan? No its a van. This is the 3rd Quest in my family. This model is by far the best. The styling is great, by far more attractive than its peers. Drive? Drives great with plenty of power.I agree the interior is not the finest. Its not the styling, its the plasticy finish. Resale isnt the best with Nissan but youd pay more for an Odyssey or Toyota. If you paid 39k for the van, paid $350 per tire your [violative content deleted]. Shop around I paid no where near these prices. Very reliable car, hwy milage is good,great cargo space. Compare

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  NOT the ugliest car of the year - 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
  By docentdon - May 30 - 8:59 am

  When the 2011 Cabriolet came out, it garnered horrible reviews. I have watched this different machine through 3 years of a boring lease on another foreign SUV all the time waiting until I could try the Murano Cabriolet. I am now proudly driving my beautiful comfortable 2014 Murano Cabriolet and getting comments like: "Wow, what is it!" "Looks like an SUV on steroids." "Did you sell your house to buy that gorgeous thing?" Easy comfort for 4 people with all the bells and whistles. And, most important, for us old codgers, easy in-and-out which ALL the other convertibles I tried were not. This will probably be my last car purchase and I am sure I will love it for years to come.

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  Love it, Love it, Love it!!! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Vicious - May 30 - 8:00 am

  Ive had my car for about two months and its been nothing but fun. Ive driven it around the city and taken it for a trip from Virginia Beach, VA to Pittsburgh, PA and back. The cars got zip and is so much fun to drive. For awhile during my trip back to VA Beach, I was getting 41 mpg, that is until I got stuck for 3.5 hours in DC for rush hour. I still ended up with 34 mpg overall. Im very happy with my investment and being a Nissan, Im sure it will last me for quite some time.