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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  Buyer beware - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By fmosoy - May 17 - 1:30 pm

  Purchased this car after considering Acura TL among the usual suspects in the same price range. I wish I had sprung for the extra 5000 dollars, as it seems like a bargain after five months of ownership. Nissans interior quality is shameful to be generous.This car has more rattles than Mazda I traded in. Panel gaps and sagging interior pieces are too numerous to mention. It is very fast and reasonable handling/ride and provides good 24.5 miles per gallon. Nissan has now gone on my never will buy again list.

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  Dissponted Owner - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ckone2030 - May 16 - 10:58 pm

  Bought this car in June 2013 because i liked the style and had owned Nissan in the past. First week already had some transmission rattling issue, in which Nissan still does not have a solution. In 6 months already have 2 recalls. And most recently the front bumper cracked for no reason. The expert in the bodyshop said that material is very flimpsy and would crack easily. Terrible experience with this Pathfinder and this maybe the last Nissan I will ever buy.

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  Mixed Review - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Hopjim - May 16 - 8:59 pm

  Pros: Great seats/comfort, intuitive safety features, good cost value versus competitive "luxury" SUVs, good exterior styling Con: bad road vibration from large tires-not fun to drive, inconsistent idle that also causes vibration, dealership service dept. inconsistent-good maintenance but slow to answer phone and poor communications

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  Disappointed...again - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Ian - May 13 - 4:56 am

  I made the mistake of purchasing another Altima. I bought the 2.5 with SL Package Feb 08, and although the leather interior is one of the most comfortable Ive ever owned, the other problems have made me regret my decision. Ive had it serviced at the dealership for creaking and rattling noises in the drivers door at least 3 times. The 1st time, the service manager said that a squeak/rattle kit would fix the problem. It fixed 75% of the noises, but in 2 weeks, they had all returned. The next few times, the technician couldnt reproduce the problem therefore couldnt fix the problem. The drivers seat moves side to side even after the dealership "fixed" it too. I cant recommend this car!

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  HAD FOR 3 DAYS and the transmission needs replaced - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Brittany - May 9 - 3:26 am

  my car is in the shop -/+ 92,000, I should have read all these reviews but I needed a car and wasted 9000$ thank god there was an extended warranty in the vehicle. but its up soon and I am so scared this car will cause an accident and now I dont want to drive it. I really hope this helps someone deciding on a car do not impulse buy read this and save money. its worth it in the long run.

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  not the best - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By canam77 - May 5 - 8:30 am

  Other than the non repairable alignment issues. And the bad welds on the frame it hasnt been that bad of a truck...

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  NOT SURE.. - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By M.E.M. - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I JUST PURCHASED THE 2004 SENTRA 2.5 S AND AFTER A TRIP TO FLORIDA, I FOUND THE FLAWS. 1.) THE SEATS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS; SERIOUSLY NEED LUMBAR SUPPORT. 2.) THE GAS MILEAGE IS SHAKY. 3.) THE HANDLING SHOULD BE TIGHTER AT HIGHER SPEEDS. 4.) THE STEREO SYSTEM: NEED SPEAKERS THAT CAN ACTUALLY HANDLE THE OUTPUT OF THE DECK. ALTHOUGH HEADS WERE ROCKING TO MY SOUNDS! 5.) FOG LIGHTS SHOULD BE STANDARD ON THE 2.5 S MODELS THAT HAVE THE REAR SPOILER AND SUNROOF, I MEAN, WHY STOP THERE? 6.) OH YEAH, THE TIRES NEED TO BE A TAD BIT WIDER CONSIDERING THE CAR HAS SOME KICK TO IT.

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  Love/ Hate Relationship - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By keb - April 23 - 11:06 pm

  I have been a Nissan fan since I can remember. However, I am sad to say that this is my last Nissan. I have had nothing but problems with this 03 Altima. I must admit that it is fun and peppy to drive (manual) but that is where it ends. I have had numerous issues with it starting in all types of weather. It has been in the shop 7 times for this issue. Also, the entire sub-frame corroded and had to be replaced. There has been all sorts of loose bolt noises ever since. Lets not forget the "rocking seat," constant squeaks, rattles and shimmy. Theres lots of outside noise (even with new tires). I just dont feel safe driving it. Finally, its extremely easy to be broken into. Hope this helps!

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  Dont buy this car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By kelly - April 21 - 10:30 am

  I have had nothing but trouble with this car. I will never buy a Nissan again. The turn radius is similar to a huge truck. I kept getting flat tires because the chrome kept peeling from the wheels and the tires would not bond to the wheel and hold in the air. The transmissions are faulty. I have seen many reviews from others with the same transmission problem. I am sure Nissan knows about the bad transmissions. They told me when it was in warranty that it was broken motor mounts. I would not expect to have 2 broken motor mounts unless I hit something. A few hundred miles later and out of warranty transmission goes south. The interior buttons are cheap plastic and they crack and break lose.

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  What a Heap - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By xmetal20 - April 18 - 10:03 pm

  Had the car for 3 years. Have had 2 batteries die, Sun roof slide switch doesnt work, keyless entry doesnt work, speakers have a short, bluetooth doesnt work and have sun spots on the rear spoiler even though its garaged at home and at work. All problems happened after the 36,000 mile warranty expired. Wont buy another Maxima probably wont buy another Nissan.