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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  BUENO! - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By RUSSELL PTACEK - June 5 - 11:39 am

  Good car at a fair price.

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  Pathfinder Radiator leak into Tranny - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Donna from Lanc PA - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a brand new Pathfinder in 2006. A few days ago, the engine light came on. I took it to Apple York Nissan(n/c the customer service in Lancaster PA is TERRIBLE) and they informed me that I need a new transmission and radiator. I looked this up online and it happens that many people have come across this. I have a HARD time swallowing the fact that I need to shell out $5900 for a car that is not even 5 years old! Does Nisan stand by ts cars? Hell no! Would I EVER buy from them again? Hell NO! Customer service was downright awful in Lancaster. York was better. This seems to be a ongoing prob with Nissan, I have researched this prob and many people have had it...its time

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  Stay away from Nissan - 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Miguel - May 29 - 5:06 pm

  Extremely disappointed - first and last Nissan. Vehicle initially worked fine for first month than began to shake violently when going into EV mode. Dealer "fixed" it but now it will not drive in EV Mode. Been back to two separate dealers both of which say its normal. First said it has "learned" my driving habits so it wont drive in EV the second claims EV does not work when the air conditioning is on (doesnt seem to work with it off) 6,000 miles on it and am ready to unload it.

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  Beware the Catalytic Converter - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Anniee - May 27 - 6:36 am

  Originally car was great-looking and drove beautifully. Last year started to drive rough and didnt pass emissions. Had to pay $1200 to replace 4 valve cover gaskets. Was driving on major interstate at 60 MPH in the fast lane and the car suddenly stopped dead. Scariest moment of my life. The dealer is saying pay $1300 for catalytic converter. This apparently a HUGE problem with Nissan Altimas. Get yours checked before the 8 yr. 80,000 mandatory replacement expires, because Nissan wont replace if you are at 80,001. Disappointing at best and no longer have confidence in car.

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  Terrible Experience! - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By sandra87 - May 25 - 3:50 am

  I used to own this car and even though its great looking and fun to drive, my engine blew... timing belt was ripped off and they told me they needed to replace whole engine! Just reading from other reviews I see this is a common problem for 2004 Nissan Xterra so just be careful when buying!!!!

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  Nissan Never Again - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By rjk - May 24 - 10:56 pm

  Had to trade my Nissan in after only 3 months. The rattles drove me about insane. Live in the cold country and it depended on the weather which rattle would occur. When I traded it in, had to tell dealer that the rotors were going. Had the 4x4 light go on with out any reason then go off. Dealer said that computer didnt show the light going off. NOT IMPRESSED. Bought a Denali cant even compare the two.

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  Ok First Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Kimberly - May 23 - 10:35 am

  This was my first car and I fell In love with it right away. I bought it from a buy here pay here 100k on the dot an had it for two yrs. The first yr of owning it It was a great car no problems. I loved the speed of the car an the way it drives real smooth. When I first bought it the sunroof quit working properly but it was an after market an was put in from a previous owner I never bothered with it after I just didnt touch it. But my second year of owning the car I started having problems first thing was my head lights went out an only way to change them is getting either a detailer or Nissan to get inside an change it which would of cost some money but luckily my father in law changed it an all I had to pay for was the bulb itself. Next the alternator went out and I decided to put a used one in by my grandfather. I had to replace the battery TWICE and my gpa couldnt figure out why it constantly needed a new battery. Then two sensors went out and cost me a little.. Then shortly after that my radiator had busted while I was driving and after 100$ of replacing that we figured out the head gasket blew. I was officially over the car an sold it 2015. Overall maintenance wise I wont even lie with this being my first car I didnt keep up with oil changes to good not sure if that had anything to play with anything that came from but this car is a much older car look for something at least 06 or 07 an up with less than 100000 miles. I wont talk bad about Nissan and I still love Altimas but maintaince is a big key to a great car the way you treat your car is how great it will be I believe. But I have read similarities on here so wouldnt recommend the year of this car

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  Always wants gas - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Marde - May 19 - 10:00 am

  We just bought our XTERRA brand new and at first we were real excited to have our first SUV. We live out in the country and now we really have to watch our driving. The amount of gas it guzzels is awful. We thought it said 16- 23 in the city and highway and we are lucky if we get 10-12 miles to the gallon. Looking to trade it now, after 1 month. Love everything else about it but fix the gas milage 1 month

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  Wont be buying another - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By TurboTayrob - May 18 - 3:10 pm

  I purchased my 02 Spec v from the original owner at 41k back in oct of 08,the car was perfect condition, one owner, all maintenance records ,I bought it because the original owner simply didnt need it anymore(close friend)I figured "hey im buyin a nissan itll last me through college" WRONG!I lay no fault at the original owner, but at nissan , at 61k im having alternator, transmission and a whole lot of other electrical problems ,needless to say I didnt think SE-R parts would be easy to find but this is ridiculous,if only the performance made up for it when I hit the back roads its all gravy but in the city im highly disappointed with reliability,performance and MPGs, my last nissan EVER

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  Sooooooo disappointed - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By lori_colorado - May 18 - 3:09 am

  I purchased a 2006 Maxima about 2 years ago. Within that 2 years, Ive repaired the airconditioning unit, replaced the transmission, and replaced the catalytic converter. Nissan wont do anything, even though these are common problems! Ive put thousands of dollars into this car. I loved it when I bought it and I thought Id be a Nissan owner for life, but now I know Ill never purchase another one!! This was so not worth the money, Im very disappointed.