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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  AC and Transmission Problems - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Bratch - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Was good for the first two years, then the AC started blowing hot air, had high pressure line replaced under warranty. A year later the same thing happened, this time the low pressure AC line, and out of warranty. The hose and metal crimps seemed to have failed, replacement hose was more supple than original hose. After 4.5 years and 79,000 miles the transmission has started slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear, with no check engine light on. Taking it to the dealer for diagnosis in a couple of days. Purchased mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) from credit union, which is good for 4 more months, so I hope it will be covered.

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  Beware of Transmission - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By lynn - May 7 - 11:00 pm

  Love the car but only had it 4 months and it needs a transmission. Read the blogs and dont trust the dealerships. Weve been driving Nissans for 15 years and cant believe what a Lemon the Rogue has turned into.

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  Unreliable car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By jk - May 7 - 10:03 am

  Bought the car on 3/07 and until 7/07 have a nasty problem with oil consumption. The car keeps on eating up oil and Nissan is fully aware of this problem but not doing anything about it. Just got the engine replaced from the dealer after returning to the dealer for the 4th time. Have not had a time to enjoy the car, but instead going to the dealership every other Saturday to re-check the oil consumption problem. If you like wasting your time and going to the dealer every other weekends and worry about if your car has oil or not. Then I highly recommend this car. Overall my first Nissan that I bought and I dislike Nissan after 4 months of driving this car.

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  nice big truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - May 7 - 8:50 am

  I traded a Chevrolet Silverado for my Titan and the difference is night and day. I have a big V-8 and I get equal mileage as my chevy with the v-6. The unique styling takes a lot to get used to. I like how the seats are higher which gives a better view of the road and put that with the massive glass, it is like riding around in a glass car. The fuel mileage is absolutely terrible, but I put the recommended amount of MOTORKOTE in the crankcase and it increased the mileage form 13 to 14.5. The thing rides fantastic as well. very smooth. The stock stereo with 6 speakers sounds great. Seats are big, which is good for me because I am a big dude. I have had for 6 months and still cant park it very

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  New Frontier Owner - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Ralph - May 4 - 9:43 pm

  My first pick-up truck ever. I love it! Rides carlike. Roomy for a midsize. Not bad on gas (4-cyl.). Got the preferred and power packages with bed liner/caps and mats.

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  Engine Knock! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Manny Garcia - May 4 - 3:26 am

  Purchased the car the summer of 2007 everything was fine until 3000 miles. I noticed a faint knock coming from the engine bay so I took it to the dealer for a check. The service adviser told me that I was using the wrong oil filter, not! Second visit they told me it was a heat shield, not! Finally, I got them to admit the knock is from inside the engine and got some inside info as well. They told me that engine parts are from different vendors so quality varies from part to part? The engine knock was from a piston slap in the block and that most 2.5l suffer from it, right around the first oil change and on. Nissan is aware of the issue but claims that there is no excessive damage so SOL..?

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  I have mixed feelings about this car. - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By gelo7 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I had put 17,000 miles on this car,it has 67,000 miles on it so far. Problems: 1)Nissan Ignition Immobilizer system failed(car would not start)($ 140) 2)Fake interior wood trim started to deteriorate due to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun($ 235 online). 3)Rough idle,I will probably have to replace ALL the six fuel injectors which cost about $800. My parents own a 99 Suzuki Esteem and a 99 Honda Accord EX V6 for more than two years and NEVER had a single problem with them,thats what I call reliability.(The Honda Accord needs no major maintenance until 100,000 miles).

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  Love It... Annoyed With It - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Shannan - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable SUV with wide, roomy interior. Have had problems with drivers seat adjustments (which they seem to be unable to correct). I feel that it is a safety issue. Also some minor leaking of sunroof when it rains right after time of intense sun exposure (normal in Florida). Very quiet when sunroof open. Maroone Nissan in Miami has been horrible from the start. I do not recommend them. Nissan, on the other hand, seems to really care about customer satisfaction. I would buy one again.

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  2000 Xterra! - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By TJM - May 3 - 10:00 am

  its a fun suv, safe, sturdy, easy to ride.

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  Great, Nice, Power - BUT..... - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Bo Jensen - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful body design, great power, turn circle is to way to large, cheap plastic interior, turns to easy (light steering) when you are up in speed.