Overview & Reviews

The Nissan Titan, introduced for 2004, was the first Japanese pickup to truly possess the attributes that buyers typically expect from a full-size truck. Manufactured at Nissan's Canton, Mississippi, plant, it boasts dimensions and capabilities that are very similar to those of domestic full-size pickups. Though it hasn't sold as well as its rivals and is now growing quite long in the tooth, a new or used Nissan Titan can still meet the basic needs of many truck shoppers.

Current Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup truck. In terms of size, it's very similar to the trucks offered by domestic automakers, which means it provides competitive amounts of cargo and interior room. There's a fully boxed frame underneath for maximum rigidity and strength, as well as a traditional solid rear axle with leaf-spring support.

Nissan currently offers the Titan in extended-cab (King Cab) and crew-cab styles, with two bed lengths each. Buyers may also choose between standard- and long-wheelbase versions, with the latter adding 20 inches in length. The King Cab is offered with either a 6.5- or 8-foot bed, while those on the crew cab are each 1 foot shorter. The King Cab's rear-hinged doors open extra wide to aid cargo loading or a passenger's entry to the rear seats. The crew cab has four traditional doors and a larger rear seating area with more available rear legroom than the extended cab.

Each Nissan Titan body style is available in four trim levels. Similar to other Nissan products, there's the entry-level S, the midgrade SV, off-road-focused PRO-4X and the luxury-oriented SL. The S has a front bench seat, while captain's chairs with a flow-through console are standard on the other trims. Standard safety features now include stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Notable options, depending on trim, include upgraded audio systems, a navigation system, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and utility-enhancing cargo bed features. For those who anticipate pulling trailers, the SV Value Truck or SL Max Utility tow packages are also available.

The PRO-4X trim level adds equipment for serious off-roaders that include Rancho shocks, a lower final-drive ratio, skid plates, an electronic locking differential and 18-inch off-road wheels with aggressive off-road tires. Unique exterior and interior styling cues to differentiate the PRO-4X from the other Titan models are also included.

For power, Nissan offers only one combination: a 5.6-liter V8 connected to a five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 is rated at 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The transmission features a tow/haul mode for when the truck is used for pulling or carrying heavy loads. For every body style and trim combination, two- or four-wheel drive is available.

In Nissan Titan reviews, our editors have found it to be powerful and capable both on- and off-road. Downsides include a lack of additional powertrain choices and the absence of a heavy-duty model. The Titan has also been outclassed by newer competitors in terms of comfort and overall design. Still, we think Nissan's Titan is worth a look.

Used Nissan Titan Models
The current, first-generation Titan debuted for 2004, and these earlier trucks could be a good choice for a shopper searching for a used late-model pickup. The first couple of production years, in particular, outclassed domestic pickups in many ways. The most notable changes for the Nissan Titan came for the 2008 model year and included the addition of a long-wheelbase model, exterior and interior styling refreshes and new features. Models built for 2007 and earlier were available in one wheelbase length only, lacked the two different bed lengths for each body style and also had a reduced maximum payload.

It should be noted that stability control, side airbags and side curtain airbags were not standard on all Titans until 2010. Used shoppers should investigate whether the truck in question is equipped with them. Also, the current trim levels were introduced for the 2011 model year; previously, the Titan's three main trims were XE, SE and LE, though feature content was broadly comparable.

User Reviews:

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  2004 Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By esoken - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Everything you would hope to expect from a full size truck. More value in standard equipped version. Chevy & Ford dealers tried to sell option loaded trucks which wasnt what I was looking for. Handles very well even in our recent rain storm. Only down side Ive encountered is it has tendency to get bouncy over Socal freeway joints. But considering its towing capacity, I guess thats expected. Otherwise extremely happy so far.

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  my titan - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By kenseth - July 19 - 5:33 am

  this truck is solid and reliable,i like the long bed can get a lot of stuff in there,

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  Great Craftmanship - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By hhcroftt - July 15 - 7:56 am

  I really enjoys driving it. It feel like a Sport and Work Truck all in one.

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  Titan is best truck on market - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Matt13ISU - July 11 - 7:33 pm

  Best vehicle I have owned. Love to drive my Titan. Really turns a lot of heads. Tons of power, tows excellent. Comfortable to drive long distances.

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  Titan Good, Dealership Bad - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By commander3 - July 8 - 4:33 pm

  I have had my truck for 1.5 years and loved it until just recently due to the poor dealer service. It has the banks exhaust and gets 15-16 mpg with my heavy right foot and sounds great. The airbag light now comes on and is at the dealer for the 4th time in a month. They just keep replacing parts and two days later the warning lights are back on. You would think a Nissan dealer would know how to service a Nissan truck. Worst service I have ever seen with no end in sight.

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  Big Bad Truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Jim - June 24 - 4:33 am

  The Titan is a awesome truck. I think Nissan just needs to improve on their Seatbelts, and turning radius of the truck. And also they need to put on better braking system. I think a upgrade of rotors, and pads would help. Maybe performance rotors, the kind they use on Nascar or Trucks. I also think that Nissan should consider building a sporty version of the Nissan Titan. I am thinking 600 horse power or better .

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  IMPRESSED........SO FAR? - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ICEMAN - June 23 - 2:00 am

  With a limited amount of mileage this is just my initial opion of the truck. Ask me again in six months.

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  almost perfect - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By pluckYew - June 23 - 2:00 am

  first of all: theres no rear axle electronic locking differential until April 2004. not even a limited slip differential. were getting 8 city/15 hwy mpg, first 500 miles with the off road and big tow packages (3.36 final drive) easy to get stuck on deep (1) snow, but then what 4x4x isnt, i guess. truck lock is always locked..annoying. ca not anser the Reliability question yet...

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  Just buy it! - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Brian - June 19 - 1:50 pm

  I drive 36,000 miles a year. I go through vehicles every couple of years. After wasting countless time and money on the other guys, I decided to go with a foreign truck for the first time. I couldnt be happier. The reliability, performance, handling, quality, and dependability are insane. I am on the road all day for business, and I sometimes haul and tow to capacity, and the Titan has never let me down. And its never needed to go in for warranty. Thats something Ive NEVER experienced with my American vehicles. I buy USA first, but after buying USA first with several USA vehicles I had to trade loyalty for quality.

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  Titan Can Do It All! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By nissan chick - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I traded my Ford F-250 in on a Titan and, wow, I was so impressed by how the Titan rides, drives, and pulls! It does every bit as good as my 250 did pulling my horse trailer, but with much better gas mileage. Also, the room inside is great. I LOVE THIS TRUCK!