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:

• 

  Bought a 2003 Xterra XE with 100,000 miles - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Rich - June 4 - 7:32 pm

  Bought Xterra XE with 100,000 miles. Terrific in the snow, handles well, excellent vision, need only 87 gas not premium, excellent storage space, stereo system with 6 speakers, nice roof rack, and pretty easy car to work on. Anybody who gets an Xterra in the 100,000 mile range.be ready for a new timing belt and will cost between $600 to. $1,000. Other costs in the 100 -125K mileage range include new starter ($400 - $500) and new plugs ($200). If you buy a 100,000+ Xterra check the timing belt, starter, plugs and it can save you a lot of money. 265 size tires are in the $400 - $500 range. Its a SUV built on a truck with 16 city/ 20 higjway mileage and if you take care of it, the Xterra is pretty reliable.

• 

  6000 miles broke down - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Sam - September 14 - 9:44 am

  2015 Altima 3.5 broke down on highway after 6000 miles. Air conditioner stopped working and battery light came on so I opened the hood and saw oil all over on the passenger side. While trying to return to dealer for service, lost power and left me stranded. Towed to dealership. Serpentine belt is shredded so I was probably driving on the battery alone. Why the oil all over, they didnt know. They mentioned oil lines, or crankshaft seal? Still waiting to see whats going on with it. (Also steering requires work as far as being not very easy to steer, driver side weather stripping already worn out due to seatbelt rubbing against it when retracting. Guess it may depend on where your seat is positioned, but the stripping itself is paper thin)

• 

  Mixed Feelings - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By diesengine - December 28 - 5:30 am

  Sport Package Pros:37.3 mpg in 90/10 city/hwy driving (light foot), design, comfortable zero gravity seats, and lots of interior space. Cons: Starting with the 2013 redesign, Altimas moved over from the hydraulic steering system to electric which does not have the same "organic feel". The car wanders left to right and right to left requiring constant correction of the steering wheel on speeds above 65 mph which is major safety issue. Took it twice to dealer and they could not find the problem. Nissan markets the car as sporty, yet having owned a Maxima and 350z, the only thing sporty about the car is the exterior design. Has no steering feedback whatsoever. Will try Mazda next time.

• 

  Nissan what happened - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By TNEP - December 24 - 10:00 am

  My fourth Nissan ,my first disappointment. The quality of this vehicle is surprisingly bad. 1200 miles so far,lots of rattles ,bad paint on bumper,tailgate button disappeared into the dash, finishes inside are not tight fitting. Im worried Ill run out of warranty before problems.

• 

  Rides/Drives like a 10 year old car - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Lady T - December 23 - 12:53 am

  I am in month 9 of my 24 month lease. I am not happy at all. I want to return this car. It only drove the first 1000 miles okay. Before I even reached my first 1000 miles, I felt that the cars brakes didnt stop the way they should. My husband thought I was being paranoid but it kept driving funny. Finally, I decided to take it in by 3000 miles to get checked. I was told, "Oh, by the way, the brake master cylinder needs to be replaced. It has been recalled." No one ever contacted me saying this part, a major part for stopping the car properly, was recalled. I barely feel safe driving this car and I have to drive my children. I have taken it back and am still not satisfied.

• 

  noisy - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By lato - December 22 - 9:20 am

  this engine is very noisy

• 

  unhappy purchase - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By thechad - December 20 - 7:43 pm

  I previously owned a 2006 Altima 3.5 SE and loved every second of it! Strong motor and great handling car... Traded it for a 2008 2.5 SL with CVT. I just want to run it into a wall every time I drive it. I thought I would adapt to the CVT and 4cylinder... it will never happen. Its too slow, CVT is annoying and the never ending revving of the engine is ridiculous. There is unfortunately nothing exciting about driving this car. The breaks are touchy and will throw you through the windshield, the throttle will snap your neck initially, the driver seat creaks with every turn (3 times they have tried to fix it) sunroof cover rattles (they said they cant fix.. on and on and on...

• 

  i should of kept my edge - 2012 Nissan Xterra
  By narcissa1 - December 19 - 12:41 am

  i wanted a four wheel drive to get around iowas back roads during the winter with all the room of an suv could offer more then my 08 edge. i like my exterra except the fact that when im on the roads on windy days i seem to blow as much as semis do cause of the height of the truck. i was thought i could get over not being able to get powered seats, navigation in the dash, or tvs in the head rests but i cant. for the final price of all the options i could get added i wish they would of allowed or gave the choice of those three other options. im suprised nissan wouldnt give you that unless you want a murano, just really bummed over limited options

• 

  Clutch Problem - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Margaret Calenda - December 15 - 3:50 am

  The clutch "got burned out" according to the dealer here in Asheville, NC. I have been driving stick shifts since I was 16 (Im 57), have driven trucks and cars over 125,000 miles and owned for over nine years. Have NEVER had a clutch problem. Somethings wrong here.

• 

  CVT - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By ginac - December 8 - 6:50 pm

  The transmission went out on our murano at 100,000 miles. Just as the warranty was up. we had to pay $6,000 to replace it and Nissan would not help us in any way. What I am disgusted by is the nonsupport that we received from Nissan. Ive written several letters only to be ignored or told to send my inquiries elsewhere. I will never! purchase another nissan and have already gotten several of our friends to back out of purchasing a nissan. Prior to this, the cat. convertor went out. Luckily this was still under warranty. Since then, weve had a bearing go out in a tire and one of the arms (shocks?) went out-total $1,000. this is an unreliable vehicle for obvious reasons.