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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  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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  Its worth every penny - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Justin Elixson - March 13 - 1:30 am

  My wife and I just had our first baby and need a bigger vehicle. I had to have a truck with my business. We got the Titan and was and still are very impressed with all the back seat room.

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  Big, smooth, comfortable, Powerful - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By cjohannes - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Love it so far. Two things... it has awesome power and pick up (0 - 60 in around 7 seconds). This things rides very smooth and I risk getting a ticket because I cant tell how fast Im going. Great sound system (although missing a cassette - and no XM Radio option). Some interior storage issues (I like a place - ashtray? - to store coins. The center console is big enough to store an average laptop but I have a 16" screen and it doesnt really fit. It is comfortable though. Great for kids (tons of room in the back seat.

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  Smooth Ride w/Power Cheap Features - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By SunDevil - January 30 - 2:23 am

  Overall truck does ride smoothly. Power and concept is good. Features and trim are cheaply built. Two weeks new embroidered "TITAN" on floor mats unglued. Since then, edging interior and exterior along rear window, front windshield, and other areas pops up and has to be resecured. Front captains chair shifts like it is not locked into place. Mileage is terrible but it is a truck and new that going in. Power is fun. Truck does ride well and interior room is nice versus tundra.

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  Verdict still out - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By verdict still out - January 21 - 6:20 pm

  4000 miles. Truck runs great. Noises coming from rear bed or axle when turning left. Gas mileage is less than competition. Smooth and quiet ride. Verdict is still out!

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  2009 Titan SE - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By tb - January 12 - 7:06 pm

  I purchases this truck to replace my 2005 titan that I leased. I personally liked the 05 much better. Some of the flashy features have been removed like the chrome mirror covers. The SE truck should come with fog lights. It also seems the suspension is a little different as the ride in the 09 seems to be bumpier.

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  What a great feeling truck to drive - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Seattle Titan - January 5 - 2:00 am

  The truck itself is fun to drive, my only concern the lack of quality and the lack of customer service from nissan USA. Many issues with part not fitted right or not at all.

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  The Best Beast - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Phly Physher - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This truck is a beast! Wow, the power and handling put the Big 3 to shame. The 5-speed tranny shifts so smoothly I forget Im in a truck. My only complaints: bucket seats are not very supportive and lack good side bolsters, cheap interior plastic scratches very easily, no tire options yet available for the BFG Rugged Trails. Overall, the best truck value....

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  Bench Seat Collapse - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Steve Coleman - December 3 - 7:53 am

  I have a 2004 4WD SE with split bench seats with cloth interior. Looks like the 2005 suffers from the same seat issues. Whats with the sagging split bench driver and passenger seats. Im 210 lbs and the Maxima I traded in had awesome support in the seat. I feel like the seat is slowly collapsing on any trip over fifteen minutes. And the material starting to come apart at the decorative stitches. The tailgate pivot pin is loosening up and looks like it may work its way loose. Time to visit the dealer. And yes, Im soon going to be on my third brake job which means the new heavy duty ventilated rotors and hopefully dustfree brake pads. Otherwise the truck is great! Steve