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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  A mixed review - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Mary Ann - September 10 - 5:30 pm

  Generally speaking I like this vehicle. PROS: good looking, deceivingly spacious, I like the interior placement of the controls; seating is quite comfortable; fairly quiet in smooth driving situations. My kids love it. Its really rather adorable. CONS: The shape of the side mirrors cause problems with the blind spot; I dont feel it "grips" the road as well as Id like it to- suspension feels a bit mushy; I dont like how wide the material is leading from the top of the window into the end of the windshield again causes trouble with visibility. I dont understand why the door controls dont light up? Lastly, the rear headrests obscure visibility.Overall cuter than the rest in its class.

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  Not To Satisfied - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Bummed in AL - September 9 - 11:46 am

  Since we bought it 3 1/2 months ago, I have had the tires balanced 5 times, the vehicle still vibrates, the rear view mirrors shake, (which I am told that this is the way it is and cannot be fixed), there is a rattle that I cannot quite place where it is coming from, the transmission fluid has leaked, and I feel that the third seat should be able to push forward to give more room behind it. There is little room for instruments, backpacks, and such, so if you have to fold down the third seat, then you loose the room for 3 people.

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  Nissan national & local dealer have forgotten they need a good product & good service to stay in business. - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By mr_kc - September 6 - 2:07 am

  They are right about the dangers blind spot, although it does help if you have the side mirrors set properly (wide), even then if someone is right behind me it can be difficult to see them. The Blue Tooth works intermintently, but the dealer ship can not find a problem. They believe national Nissans nonsense that you have to buy a compatible phone. I can go to Walmart & buy a much cheaper Blue Tooth & it works with ALL phones. It is really silly that Nissan think they can keep up testing all the new phones that come out each week for compatibility with their Blue Tooth.

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  Gas Guzzler - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By hazer - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my xterra for a year and a half and am currently trading it in for a Honda CRV. The gas mileage is awful, the front seats are very uncomfortable, and the power and ride are fair. It is an excellent off road vehicle, and has a great rugged look. But if youre not planning on doing a lot of off-roading and want decent gas mileage I would not recommend this car.

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  Ill ready to SELL... - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Tommie J - August 27 - 10:00 am

  ...my BRAND NEW Altima w/ the power and BOSE package. It was a mistake saving a few dollars. I should of bought a Toyota Camry, like I wanted originally. The body lines of the Altima is nicer, in my opinion. Thats about it! After about 3 weeks, Im sick of this Altima! NO power seat for the passenger seat. Camry has power seat for the passenger. Dail controls are out of date. The horn sound on the keyless entry system reminds me of Cheap domestic cars! Engine sounds kinda loud when you step on the accelerator. The BOSE audio system on my Altima has the worst sound that Ive ever listen too on a car audio system. The window fogs, if you dont have the AC on.

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  Above average - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Steve J - August 25 - 11:10 pm

  I looked for a year for a car I could fit in at 65", 225 pounds and with my limited budget. In the end, flipped a coin and went with resale value. Not nearly as much fun to drive as my 99 Accent, but its nice to sit high so I dont have to change lanes for every truck that comes by. Top heavy car, tons of interior space, crappy speakers, looks cute, good color, good price. Havent gotten used to the 6 speed yet, I have to shift down to third or fourth on all the corners, sluggish first year.

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  Very Mediocre - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By FA91 - August 22 - 3:23 pm

  We just traded our 2006 Nissan Xterra S. We did not entertain buying another Nissan based on our experience with this Nissan. It was not a bad vehicle, decent power - horrible mileage. We previously had a Ford Explorer that consistently got 18 MPG. Once in a while we would hit 17 with the X, but usually it was 14-16. My wife commuted in the car and it was not used off road. We had no major problems with the Xterra, but did have to take it back to the dealer for a loose exhaust shield - which is now loose again (or was when we traded it). Rust was starting on the rear passenger door. Brakes made a horrible sound when TC kicked in and brakes were applied. Paint scratched easily.

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  Tire Trouble - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Stharris - August 18 - 6:30 am

  I enjoy the drive and reliability of the vehicle. However, I have gone through two sets of tires. The enter tire is constantly wearing causing the truck to make a lot of noise, use more gas and ride uncomfortably. Also, I was told that I needed to replace the timing chain for $1700.00. It is a slap in the face to me to have to put that amount of money into a vehicle this soon. I am disappointed and will not refer this vehicle to any of my friends, perhaps my enemies.

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  Oil Well Wanted - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Annointed - August 16 - 4:43 pm

  This car after dealership replaced catalytic convertor due to an engine code began using oil at an alarming rate-a quart every 6-700 miles. They dont know why and are putting me through hoops doing an "oil consumption test" that will take months to complete the way they want to do it. Meanwhile I have a car I cant trust to take far from home. Very sorry I purchased a Nissan.

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  The Big let down - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By big mike - August 10 - 6:16 am

  I have owned my Titan for 16 months and ive had to have the rear axle replaced twice. I was told it was a bad design by Nissan. Ive also had brake issues with the rotors warping and premature wear. The gas mileage is terrible. The salesman told me it will average 15 to 18 and I have calculated 9 to 12. Although I will say this truck has enough power to race in nascar, it just doesnt quiet measure up as a work truck. When I went to traded it in the value dropped $12,000. Needless to say im still driving it. My next truck will be a Chevy!