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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  If youre thinking of buying one.. DONT! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By DONT BUY ONE!!!!!!! - January 16 - 9:33 am

  We bought a used 2003 Murano trusting there were no problems and less than a month after buying (74K miles)the accelerator would stall for 3-5 seconds and after our research we found the transmission was going out! Even under warranty Murdock Hyundai would NOT work with us in an equal trade or just fixing the transmission! I will never buy again or ever suggest to someone to buy a Murano! They look cool and sporty, but the entire car will break down on you sooner than said. Any bumps you go on etc, it feels like the steering wheel is coming off and that your tires are popping.... It is just overall a HORRIBLE make of a car!!!! DONT BUY ONE.... YOULL REGRET IT!!!!

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  Is an OK SUV, will not buy again. - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Mike - January 13 - 8:20 am

  The SUV looks good on the outside, the inside like its build cheap. Muffler or resonator needed work after 4 years at a cost of $850, which was ridiculous. Mileage is very lousy at 16 mpg city, 17.5 highway. I will definitely not buy again!

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  What a PAIN - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Tizan - January 11 - 9:00 pm

  Bought it new, after 3k miles brakes went out, dealer replaced 3 times. Diff seal leaked, rattles all over, key gets stuck in ignition, front window regulator went out, drive shaft rusted, oil pressure sensor went out, makes me wonder what happend to Nissan. I am so disappointed that I want to call get rid of this truck. I have a 90 300zx thats been more fun, and reliable then this truck, I will never buy another Nissan.

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  Death Wobble - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By voldog - January 11 - 2:36 pm

  It has a shake, wobble that is at times down right scary. Its always there but sometimes its light and sometimes it will shake the steering wheel out of your hands. I will never own another. Also, the front end shakes and shimmies when I hit a hole, like it was worn out and I have 16,000 miles on it. Im scared to take it on a trip. Ive owned Dodge, Ford, Chevy trucks and I would take any of them over this Titan.

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  Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By backflip - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Owned 8 months. 8K miles, 2nd set of brake pads, rotors resurfaced twice. Sunroof rattles, interior shaking. AC vents in front not adjustable. Constant pinging sound in engine at low speed, dealer cannot find problem. Appears all Nissans investment was made on exterior. Not a $40K vehicle.

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  love everything but the engine - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By bellasmom2 - January 4 - 2:51 pm

  Love everything about it except its 4 cyl. only option. It goes NO WHERE when I hit the gas. In summer, I have to turn the air conditioner off to get onto the highway! After being on the highway for a while with the A/C running and then stopping, I press on the accelerator to find the car doesnt even move. I thought it had broken down in the middle of the road until it started inching along. I took it to the dealership and they told me that theres nothing wrong with it. The engine performance is a joke! I called the dealership to ask if the 2012 would come with the 6 cyl. option and they told me to buy a Murano. Sorry Nissan, the Murano is too big so now Im seeking another brand!

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  Death at 163 miles - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By MADCONSUMER - January 4 - 7:30 am

  Picked up 2010 Altima with 4 miles on it. Car dies on the way home with 163 miles total. I know that this can happen, and Im not mad about the car breaking down as much as I am about the warranty company not helping me. I am responsible to pay for the rental. I am responsible for any miles over 35 towed and I am 100 miles away from home. The dealership will not give me a courtesy vehicle cause I did not purchase it from them. No rental company open. Basically Nissan proved to me that they will not stand behind their product and since they left us 100 miles away from home without a care, I will make sure that everyone I know never goes with Nissan.

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  3 Years Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By jukedriver - January 1 - 3:05 pm

  Got my Juke in January 2011. I must say, it got my where ever I needed to go, didnt break down, and it has ample space for what I need to transport (e.g. 8 cases of beer ;-)

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  Problems with the Maxima - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By John - January 1 - 12:53 am

  I bought the Nissan Maxima because I had thought that Nissan had a great name. The car had a stunning interior and great overall design, but Im barely getting 20 mpg for normal half freeway half highway driving. Also the brakes are always making noise and every time I take the car in they charge me $200 to change the brakes on a brand new car. This car is smaller than camry/altima and I will never buy a Nissan again. DO your research before you buy this car, A lot of people will tell you its not worth the price.

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  Great SUV, big stereo problems - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By dilan55 - December 31 - 2:30 am

  I love my Xterra, it was everything I wanted. Having said that, I am disappointed with the Rockford Fosgate stereo. Ive had to get it replaced twice, lost over $100 worth of cds. I also had issues with the A/C not working which took two trips to the dealership to get fixed. All this has been under warranty, but I will have to trade before the warranty is up, I cant afford the maintenance. At my last oil change I was told there were problems with the suspension system. What next????