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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  Engine Options? - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By nativetexan69 - February 16 - 8:06 am

  This is an amazing truck. It truly outperforms the competition in every aspect... except gas mileage. The wife wants me to sell it because of the 13city-17hwy MPG stats. Aftermarket bolt-ons only help a little. Maybe with a smaller V-8 engine package you could set up your application the way you need. I hear the bed squeak when I have the back window down. There have been absolutely no problems with my Titan, I love it, and it has the most get up and go out of all the trucks I have tested. Buy it if you can afford the gas.

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  05 Titan review - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By dslater - February 15 - 8:53 pm

  I have owned a lot of trucks in my 63 years in Alaska. This is one strong, powerful mama. I pull a 4500 lb boat up a long pass and it pulls effortlessly throughout the rpm range at 14 mpg average (19/20 empty on the road). Great torque. On a long trip, my wife doesnt complain about seat discomfort and really loves the truck also... which is a real plus. I love this truck!

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  Best Value Pickup - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - January 31 - 7:30 pm

  The Titan King Cab XE is powerful, quiet, handles very well and has attained surprisingly good gas mileage so far. On a road trip through the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range with A/C on all the time I achieved 21.4 MPG at speeds of 60 - 65 MPH. Couldnt be happier!

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  Comfort and Quality - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Joe - January 31 - 11:00 am

  I wanted a truck that would handle not only my towing and hauling needs but be very comfortable. The ride and handling are first class. The ride is smooth and quiet. The captains chairs are very comfortable. The Rockford Fosgate sound system with the XM radio is exceptional. It makes you feel as though you are driving in a luxury automobile. The build quality is very good. There werent any defects at delivery. The gas mileage is as expected for a large truck with this much power. I get approximately 21 MPG on the highway going around 68 MPH. Around town about 14. The king cab provides plenty of room even for a six foot tall adult. This is a quality vehicle at a bargain price. Great truck

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  titan 4 door - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By ben armstrong - January 30 - 1:16 am

  I wanted this truck when I first laid eyes on it. Titans are by far the best looking trucks on the road, and having owned many Nissans prior to this truck I knew the quality would be impecable. It is roomy, well laid out, comfortable, and powerful. Towing with it is wonderful. Lots of power, and very smooth.

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  Great Truck.... Not so Great MPG - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By DK - January 29 - 4:00 pm

  I have owned them all.... so far this is the best truck and one of the best vehicles that I have owned. I traded a Nissan 350Z convertible in (now that my mid-life crisis has passed). It is very roomy and comfortable. I put over 2K miles on it in the first week of ownership. Drove from TN to AL and only averaged 13 mpg. Was expecting about 17 mpg. It may get better with the summer fuel mix and a moderate break in. Easily cruises at 85 mph. Hmmm... did I say that I get poor MPG? I do have the Off Road and Big Tow packages so that accounts for a lower gear ratio which probably hurts MPG a bit. But YOWSA!!!! This thing will move down the road!

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  Awesome Truck! - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Jeff - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had a couple other trucks, Ram Crew Cab, Ford f150, but this truck has been absolutely fantastic. I love the power to tow, looks cool, drives great, lots of back row space. I have never met another titan owner that didnt love their truck.

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  Titan = Bang for the Buck - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By DoubleD - January 26 - 7:20 am

  Seems like Nissan is good at offering "bang for the buck" vehicles. I was looking at all the other trucks and hadnt considered the Titan. I stumbled across it . And Im happy I did! I hated 1st gen styling, but like the current model. I test drove it and really liked it, especially for the price! Its not 100% perfect . No vehicle ever is. But, this one comes pretty darned close. Room, functionality, utility, options . All of them are very good! My friends are all jealous of the truck! Id definitely recommend this vehicle to someone looking for a full-sized truck.

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  sweet - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By eric - January 26 - 3:06 am

  it tows my 30 foot toyhauler really good but it needs a lil more bottom end for climbing but overall it is a excellent truck

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  watch out now... - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By josh - January 24 - 3:00 pm

  Driving on a trip yesterday, I saw an F-150 with a decal of the "Bad Calvin" doing what he does best on the word "Imports" Lets just say I drove up next to it, smiled, and blew by and far away from the Ford. Nissan has got it right- watch out Ford and Chevy. This truck is comfy (SE with all options) as well as rugged. We travel all the time, and love it. Plenty of room, even in the King cab, and even with our 2 100 lb dogs riding in the back. (Folding up seats back there kick arse) Best bang for your buck without a question- gas mileage... well, its a truck, but it does do better than all of the others. Side by side comparisions- most room, best performace, and best price.