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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  Better the second time around - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By ourcrew - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Quest, the first being a 1997. It responds and handles well on turns with decent power for a mini van. We love the versality. Everything fits from luggage to a full- size recliner. Our grandkids love the video system. Only complaint is one of the side door windows occasionally becomes unlocked. Very reliable. Highly recommended over the Toyoya or Honda minis.

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  Objective? I think so... - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By wastintime - April 6 - 2:00 am

  We have had our LE 4wd for several weeks now and have made several road trips in it along with daily town driving. Ours has the Tech package and DVD (aftermarket 9" screen w/ TV and wireless headphones). The ride is sweet for a vehicle this size, very comfortable. The engine is phenominal, love the power and the sound from the tail pipes. When I drive, its hard not to play with that power so fuel mileage is averaging around 14 mpg. Interior is nice, comfortable and clean. Some complain about the cheap looking interior materials but I think the LE with leather works well.

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  4+2 Se Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By corgio - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I have own this Suv for approxiamately 1 month. The heat shield was rattling and deformed on the exhaust pipe. Nissan replaced the exhaust pipe with heat shield. It comes together as a unit. The dealership lost my original set of keys. They tried to make a new set of keys. The module was defective on the truck. So far in 4 weeks I ve had two defective parts replaced. It has a powerful engine. The ride itself is a little stiff compared to the GM trucks. ( Surburban, Denali). If I had to do it all over again I would have waited another year or so. Maybe by then some of these issues can be improved.

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  its good - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By scott1966 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I did not want the vehicle, but it was company issued. after 3 days of driving it, I loved it. It is just as good as any lexus. I have drove them all,and this is a great vehicle.

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  overall experience thus far - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By thomp3racing - April 6 - 2:00 am

  bought my titan kc 4x4 this past december. although this is a new product for nissan,they have done their homework. this is one awsome vehicle. the power is incredable. when you step on the gas pedal,its acceleratration is unlike any truck ive ever driven,or any regular passenger car for that matter. although it has less than 800 miles on it,i think this truck has something to say to the big 3.im sure there will be some issues being its first year for this truck,but nissan has been building trucks a long,long time.

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  DONT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By MIKE MORGAN - April 6 - 2:00 am

  THE RIDE IS EXCELLENT, THE HANDLING IS GREAT THE INTERIOR DESIGN IS SOME WHAT UNDESIREABLE. I PURCHASED IT FOR THE FUEL ECONOMY, AND I GET THAT. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS TIN CAN. OTHERWISE ITS A (B) ON A SCALE FROM A+ TO D RATING

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  Bad Ass Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Cool Truck - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought the truck in the beginning of January after test driving all the other trucks on the market a friend of mine told me about nissans new full size truck at first I was hesitant to even think nissan with a truck but after the test drive I was sure this was going to be the one. My Baby is Galaxy Black loaded sunroof DVD system big tow package and off road package so far so good awsome truck you owe it to yourself not to buy another truck until you go and test drive this new bad boy on the block you will not be disappointed.

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  Nissan Power - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By truck03 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Powerful American built truck with a great head turning ratio.

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  initial impressions - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By stude - April 6 - 2:00 am

  when i opened the door of the titan, i was immediatly impressed by the two tone leather interior & the colors chosen to blend together. on examining the exterior, i was impressed with the spray on bedliner & the plastic rub strips in the floor of the bed. very practical & useful. a minor note that i saw, was the crush zones on the front frame extentions. these appear to be serviceable, & if they are, then will be very useful in collision repairs. other trucks either fail to offer this feature, or only offer the entire front frame section, still requiring removal of the entire cab assembly for proper access for welding.

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  Great car with one problem. - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By P Tyler - April 6 - 2:00 am

  ive always been a fan of the maxima, and the 04 is no exception. It has plenty of power, and the Bose stero is terrific. While not thr best in its class, its pretty competative. My main problem and only is the annoying torque steer. Nissan keeps uping the power of the car each year, and its pass its limit. Infinity cars have rear wheel, why not Nissan?