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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  So Far So Good - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By MiniMeUT2004 - November 25 - 6:33 am

  I have only had this car 1 month,but I can say that its been great so far.I drive 125 miles a day to work and back in sometimes horrible traffic and weather,and I dont feel fatigued to badly.2-3hrs to get home sometimes(Seattle Washington area).Im getting about 34 mpg and one time it read 40.4 mpg!This is with rush hour traffic.I love the interior,the seats hold you in well,and the stereo cranks,but needs more treble.And this car is solid feeling,and its quiet inside.Cant believe its an economy car.

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  Poor Mans Infiniti - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Mufasa - November 25 - 2:56 am

  I was ready to buy Accord, but felt I should at least drive an Altima. Wow. Internet pics dont do car justice. Very smooth, refined, and the cvt is so sweet and the sound system is solid. First tank of gas the mileage was not that good, mainly because of my desire to get the know the power of those 270 horses. 2nd tank of gas resulted in average of 26mpg -- which was 75% highway and 25% city. I know I am sacrificing 4-5mpg for v6 instead of v4, but I can live with it.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By chill68 - November 25 - 12:25 am

  Purchased in 2004. Happy with the overall look and performance. Did not buy it for gas milege just wanted a safe vehicle for wifey. Check engine light stays on due to a bad Catalytic Convertor. Which in subsequent models was repaired. This causes the engine to burn oil because of particle blowback. The only sensible repair is a new engine. About 2-3 quarts every 2K miles. Driver side seat panels and arm rest cracked and peeled apart. During hot weather the door locks stick. Have to hold the unlock button and let the windows roll down to get in. The gas tank door opener stop working. I just disconnected from the system versus paying $300 for the part. Cannot wait to part with.

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  Whats Wrong with Nissan - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By WhyMe - November 24 - 3:50 pm

  I got a great deal on this car and I guess I know why. Being a mechanic, I can tell you these cars have problems not worth fixing. On the 2000-2003 Maxima, the computers give faulty signals saying sensors arent functioning properly. After manually checking each sensor to determine that the mass-airflow sensor needed to be replaced and not the O2 sensors, I replaced that. In addition, the O2 and cooling sensors will go and theyre $200 each for parts and there are 12 total (6 cooling, 6 O2). And that wont fix it. Ive now ran all electrical/computer test and the only way to fix it is to take parts off one that runs and put them on mine. Imagine the cost for a non mechanic.

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  Disappointment - Transmission Failure - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By gol_den2 - November 24 - 12:09 pm

  Purchased this vehicle new in May 2014. In October 2014 with less than 5,000 miles the transmission began slipping at speeds above 60mph. Took it to dealer who said may be bad gas and to fill up once with 89 octane. In November 2014, the transmission slipped constantly (No warning lights came on). Took it to dealer, they confirmed it was a bad transmission. They said they were putting a new transmission in however it is still in the shop so I am unable to validate if it is new or a remanufactured transmission that is going in it. A vehicle with less than 6k miles and cost $45K a total disappointment. Stay away from the Pathfinder.

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  120000 and still going - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By happy camper - November 24 - 4:36 am

  Bought the van, used with 30,000 miles logged on it, put on an additional trouble free 100,000 miles on it. Had none of the problems mentioned by other reviewers, ( must have been lucky I guess ). Change the oil regularly, replaced the tires twice bought some studded snow tires for winter travel and in that configuration it handles like a regular 4 wheel drive vehicle .

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  Little Econobox - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By sky1 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Mines a stripper model, power nothing, 5spd. Im not really attached to it. It has an ok amount of power, but you have to work to drive it fast. Handling again is alright, but nothing to brag about. Sryling again, nothing to brag about. The interior, boring and basic, well designed and built, but basic. I guess the only bragging rights this car has is an EPA rating of 30/40mpg (personally I average 30mpg over mostly city driving). Anyway, to be honest, I wish I had gotten a Honda Civic - they seem to have a little more character. The Sentra is a fine car - its just boring, thats all.

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  Transmission Problem - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By RLJ - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder with 62,000 miles on it. It started making these rattling noises and I took it to the dealership. To make a long story short, the transmission is shot and they want to replace it. Which is about $3,000 worth of work. I have read the reviews about quality and reliability before I purchased the vehicle, turns out some of that is untrue.

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  great car for the price - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By jim631 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  i like the comfort,the way it handles,the radio controls on the steering wheel,the roomy truck space,big back seating.........im vvery happy with my purchace would recomend for some one who likes to drive.

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  From 04SL TO 07SL - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By JSuggs - November 23 - 9:56 pm

  I traded up from a 04SL MAX .. The 07 is what the 04 should have been. MUCH improved in all areas. Quiet smooth ride. Build quality much improved. The more I drive it .. the happier I get !! It is different car than my old 04SL especially in ride and handling ....