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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  Dont Buy 05 Nissan Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By MidgeA - April 17 - 8:33 pm

  Numerous, numerous, numerous quality issue problems! Van has been in shop for one month of the four that we have owned it. Would not recommend this van. Having to file Lemon Law suit.

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  Dont buy a Frontier - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Tom LaBathe - April 16 - 11:36 pm

  After only 7 months and 11,000 miles the paint is peeling off of the rocker panels. Klines service department said it was caused by sand in the street and fix the problem.

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  Surprise! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By rick - April 8 - 4:43 am

  We bought 2004 Armada new. We loved the room for the family. Soon we noticed lots of noise and was told with in normal limits. Then squeaky brakes again told normal. The ride is rough. The DVD player ruined our DVDs. The interior is falling apart. While driving down the expressway (no overpass) our sun roof exploded! We were told again this was not a defect and we had to pay for that to be fixed. Sunday we were in another state for my grandsons birthday and the car quit. Had it towed to Nissan dealer hip and told engine blown. Something came loose & hit the engine.Waiting to hear if they will cover it. The cost will be $8-9000. So now I have a $16,500 loan on a car that is worthless.

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  Maxima should be Minima. - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Gino Piscopo - April 7 - 8:36 pm

  Drive an Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW and you wont even consider a Maxima. I drive professionally and this car is simply lethal. Terrible roadholding especially if roads are wet, useless in snow even with 4 snows, wonderful engine but simply overpowered when considering its inept chassis, the CVT is atrocious, lazy, and then overwhelming. Hang on if you need to pass quickly on a narrow road, torque steer will send you off into the weeds. Regarding the transmission it failed yesterday and needs to be replaced...20,000 miles! Front seats are exceptional, especially the drivers side as it is fully adjustable. The front passenger seat does not have a height adjustment so your passenger will be sitting on the floor. $40,000 and the power seat doesnt raise? The interior is spacious and of high quality. Exterior styling is quite unusual, Nissan needs to hire new engineers and stylists. The paint work and finish is terrible. My car is the poster car for orange peel. Goodbye Nissan, good luck to you if you purchase one.

• 

  Maxima should be Minima. - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Gino Piscopo - April 7 - 8:36 pm

  Drive an Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW and you wont even consider a Maxima. I drive professionally and this car is simply lethal. Terrible roadholding especially if roads are wet, useless in snow even with 4 snows, wonderful engine but simply overpowered when considering its inept chassis, the CVT is atrocious, lazy, and then overwhelming. Hang on if you need to pass quickly on a narrow road, torque steer will send you off into the weeds. Regarding the transmission it failed yesterday and needs to be replaced...20,000 miles! Front seats are exceptional, especially the drivers side as it is fully adjustable. The front passenger seat does not have a height adjustment so your passenger will be sitting on the floor. $40,000 and the power seat doesnt raise? The interior is spacious and of high quality. Exterior styling is quite unusual, Nissan needs to hire new engineers and stylists. The paint work and finish is terrible. My car is the poster car for orange peel. Goodbye Nissan, good luck to you if you purchase one.

• 

  Maxima should be Minima. - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Gino Piscopo - April 7 - 8:36 pm

  Drive an Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW and you wont even consider a Maxima. I drive professionally and this car is simply lethal. Terrible roadholding especially if roads are wet, useless in snow even with 4 snows, wonderful engine but simply overpowered when considering its inept chassis, the CVT is atrocious, lazy, and then overwhelming. Hang on if you need to pass quickly on a narrow road, torque steer will send you off into the weeds. Regarding the transmission it failed yesterday and needs to be replaced...20,000 miles! Front seats are exceptional, especially the drivers side as it is fully adjustable. The front passenger seat does not have a height adjustment so your passenger will be sitting on the floor. $40,000 and the power seat doesnt raise? The interior is spacious and of high quality. Exterior styling is quite unusual, Nissan needs to hire new engineers and stylists. The paint work and finish is terrible. My car is the poster car for orange peel. Goodbye Nissan, good luck to you if you purchase one.

• 

  First and Last Nissan!! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By stonejrw - April 5 - 4:09 pm

  Ive had this car in to the dealers 5 times now for low end rumble/shake, popping noises coming from the front wheels, tire pressure indicator not working correctly, seatbelt light coming on when passenger is in the seat, radio problems, engine light on several times and back up camera not working. I have just over 11,000 miles and this car feels like it has over 100,000. Stuff rattles and shakes. Popping noises coming from the front end again and now brakes sounds like they need replacing. This is the worst car Ive ever owned.

• 

  Horrible little car!! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Evan Grant - April 1 - 11:06 am

  I have had this car for 2 years. Of those two years, both were riddled with problems. The factory tires needed replacing at 8,000 miles, the brake rotors needed replacing at 14,000 miles, the check engine light came on at 18,000 miles, and the CVT is wayyy over-rated. Its not fun being on a highway at 70mph and not being able to hear people in the same car! The mpg is way worse than predicted by the window sticker, the best I got for city was 25, but highway mileage was ok at about 30. The sticker said 31 city and 34 highway. I wouldnt suggest this car for someone buying new in order to avoid repair costs. This thing is like an iceberg in snow. You go with the road.

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  Lemon??? - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By kehaunani - March 30 - 1:56 pm

  Well within the first year and a half, I had to take van back to dealer for quite a few fixes. There was a missing piece in the braking component, they replaced it, they had to replace the seals for the sliding door and hatch, the visors broke off just by opening them, they were replaced. My van was bogging while driving,check engine light came on with that,car had to be towed back to dealership, they had to change out the cylynoids. The a/c came on when it felt like it.they changed two major components for the a/c. went to p/u van after a/c repair, van would not start. end result, could not lemon law. didnt have 3x for the same problem.traded van in for a 2009 altima.wish me luck! :(

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  Nice truck. - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By davidscott - March 28 - 10:00 am

  My first truck. Previously drove sportscars (RX-7, Scirocco, CRX, Talon AWD) and an Outback. The Pathfinder is a capable off and on road performer. Handles like a truck - heavy and sluggish (expected). Still fun to drive especially off road. Good in the snow. Lots of room and decent towing power. Raised rear "theatre" seating is great for smaller passengers.