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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  my xterra - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By trippchris - April 1 - 10:00 am

  it is ok not the best not the worst

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  Disapointed!! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By HATE THIS CAR! - March 31 - 6:33 pm

  I traded in an suv for this vehicle because I was looking for something with better gas mileage, saw the window sticker on this car and thought it was good, it says 34 highway, its more like 20 highway! The paint started peeling off my bumper at 1,000 miles. I have had my brakes fixed 3 times for squeaking issues and the car only has 13,000 miles on it. If you have a problem dont waste your time trying to call Nissan Consumer Affairs, they dont return calls. I have owned many vehicles and this is by far the worst! The car rattles, my cd player screen goes blank, its just not a good vehicle at all, especially for the price. Never again will I buy another Nissan!

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  Disappointing - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Disappointing Quest - March 31 - 7:23 am

  The new Quest looks great for a minivan but overall quality is disappointing. Interior features fell cheap and we had to replace some interior seat parts within a few months of ownership. Rear lift gate power strut broke, transmission gets stuck in 2nd gear, gas gauge stays on empty after filling up, nothing major yet but just lots of annoyances.

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  Biggest problem is the 3rd row seat.. - 2016 Nissan Quest
  By Xin Xin - March 31 - 4:38 am

  Our family and relatives all drive different minivan over the past 20 years. From Dodge Caravan and Town and Country, Ford Aerostar and Windstar, Honda Odyssey, Totoya Pervia and sienna, I have tried many of them. Overall, this Nissan Quest, the driver seats and 2nd row seats are great. It is compatible to Honda Odyssey and Sienna. In fact, I like the driver seat and front panel design more that Honda and Toyota. However, from practical purpose, the 3rd row seats leg room just too small comparing to Honda and Toyota. An average 5 7" tall adults knee will touch the back of the 2nd row. Thats the main reason we didnt buy the Quest.

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  Sunny and dry roads only! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Mccleard - March 29 - 3:36 am

  Worst car Ive ever owned. If it is not bone dry on the roads with not an ounce of wind, I am all over the road. I got rid of my 1995 Dodge Stealth for this thing and have regretted it ever since. New tires did nothing to help. I hydroplane on the slightest hint of water. It is not my driving habits, this I can assure you. Anyone wanna buy it?!

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  Syle isnt Everything - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Altima6252 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Car looks great and is fairly comfortable, BUT is equiped with cheap tires (I replaced them with better grade tires). Interior plastics are cheap and flimsy looking- but you get what you pay for. Handles poorly at highways speeds- sways as its buffeted as the car has no weight where it counts. Difficult to keep it tracking straight.Becoming disapointing to drive.

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  owned pathfinder - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By janicecarter - March 18 - 10:00 am

  first pathfinder owned, over 200000 miles with only one major problem, five speed transmission, bearing failure, exhaust manifold to head gasket failure, broken stud in manifold to head,constant squeak somewhere in suspension

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  Transmission and Jerking and Cut off - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By sallyryser - March 18 - 3:13 am

  I purchased a 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 1 year and 2 months ago and I have 86,000 miles on it as of today. I took it to the dealership and told them what was happening and they said oh your not under warranty and the mechanic said it did not engage for him. So, with that being said I spoke to management to make them aware of the issue and I recorded what the problem was doing. They offered me a rental and a trade in value which would make my payments higher. They should fix the problem and make the customers happy.

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  big disappointment - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By loyal nissan owner - March 18 - 2:26 am

  traded my 02 suburban for 06 armada- big mistake-since 1st day armada vibrated @ 55 mph-"dealer fixed problem" then vibrates @ 80 mph dealer refuse to fix problem-"nothing wrong w/ car", so far had to replace window regulator X2-waiting for 2 more to be replace, had to fix air bag warning system @ 500 miles. going back to dealer to have a/c and front brakes service - (dual climate not working and not cooling during very warm days after 45 min of driving, and @ 7k mi front brakes making a lot o noise) Also car feels unstable on I-10 - wanders a lot even after 4 wheel alignment current cars-05 nissan altima, 78 nissan 280z, 90 nissan 300zx (2+2 & 2+0) previous car 79 280zx, 01 xterra, 90 sentra

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  Deceptive 2.5S Options on "Build Your Own" Nissan Site - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By bobynand - March 17 - 10:03 pm

  The Nissan "Build Your Own" site makes the 2.5S options tempting and I opted for these options. OMITTED from the 2.5S options was the overly harsh Sport Suspension. I am embarking on a very unhappy three year lease. Traded a 2011 Toyota Camry LE that drove like a luxury car, now when I run over a dime in the road I feel it.