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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  2 neighbors F-150s in the "Bone Yard"!! - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By swolfe44 - May 3 - 5:22 pm

  Bought a new 2004 Titan the same day my neighbor bought a new 2004 F-150. 3 years (80k miles) later his F-150 was falling apart, so he traded it on a 2007 F-150?? Here we were in 2010, 3 years later, his 07 F-150 has 92,000 miles on it and its just blown the tranny--He traded it, again-on another F-150...some people never learn!! My 2004 Titan had 378,000 miles on it when I decided to trade it on a new 2010. I thought about keeping it to see if I could put a 3rd F-150 in the "Boneyard", but Ive made made neighbor feel bad enough already ;o)

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  one solid poswerful truck. - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By DSHESS57 - April 29 - 9:13 pm

  this has the most cab space of any extended cab pick-up i have previously purchased. interior design easy to manage all control knobs. strong sturdy ride. truck rides and feels really solid. no rattles inside of cab. wish it were a little more sound proof. hear a lot of outside sounds with windows up. overall very satisfied with truck. i will purchase another when i need another vehicle.

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  beefy truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jeff Cochran - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Love this truck, bought a travel trailer so is wouldnt be lonely.

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  GREAT JOB NISSAN - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By rafael r - April 23 - 10:00 am

  WELL HAVE MY TITAN FOR ABOUT ONE A HALF AND STIL SMILE WHEN I GET IN TO IT. TEST DROVE THE FORD F150 TE CHEVY SILVERADO DIDNT LIKE THEM BECAUSE DONT LIKE AMERICAN CARS DONT LAST LONG. SO WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE TOYOTA TUNDRA BECAUSE THATS THE TRUCK WE WERE GOING FOR BUT WHEN DRIVING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER SAW ANISSAN DEALER AD THEN WE SAW THE BEST LOOKING TRUCK SO HAD TO STOP TEST DROVE IT AND SAID I WANT THIS TRUCK SO I LEASE IT AND DONT REGRET IT EVERYWERE I GO PEOPLE EYEBALLING EVEN PEOPLE IN NEW FORDS. LIKE THE INTERIOR LIKE THE 180 DEGREE SWING OUT DOORS LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT GREAT JOB NISSN

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  04 Titan Review - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Drivedabuziness - April 12 - 11:46 am

  Love this truck. I get a lot of comments about it. Biggest gripe is mileage - I usually get around 16 mpg. However, after I used SUV formula in my last oil change, Im now getting 18 mpg. Not too bad for a big truck. Power is great, handles tight. Love the stereo - lots of other great design features. Road noise is higher than I like, but the exhaust has a nice growl.

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  Loving it so far - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Fishtech - April 12 - 1:10 am

  Was looking for a truck that didnt drive like a heavy oversized truck but with the power and reliability to work like a full size truck. Hauled lots lumber so far almost 2000 lbs. Handled it well and drove great with the load. This truck is fun to drive and easy to hop up as well. Going to get an air intake kit soon. Still low miles on the truck just over 3k. If you drive it heavy on the gas, yes it eats the fuel, but dont drag race at every light and its not too bad.

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  Pleased with the Titan - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By J CHASE - April 2 - 3:06 pm

  I did my background before buying. Im happy with the vehicle. Great power. I having better results with gas mileage that has been reported. Try synthetic oil, mobile1. I get 15.0 In town and 19.7 On the highway. This is with about 3600 miles on the truck. Quiet ride. I also have a fiber glass topper which helps with the mileage.

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  The Titan is the best! - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By yahmel - April 2 - 2:46 am

  I love the Titan, its is the most sylish, reliable, powerful truck (in its class)out there. The Ford F150, Dodge Ram, or Toyota Tundra do not have the presence of the Titan. It drives with ease, like a dream! I have to say the fuel economy is actually not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I would recommend this truck to anyone who is in the market for a full size truck.

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  Titan Rocks!!! - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By James - April 2 - 12:16 am

  Absolutely the best truck I have ever owned. I get a new one every few years and I have had all the other manufacturers. I have really enjoyed this truck. The only negative is that the gas mileage is not as good as the GM brands. Everything else is better by far.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By GBrown - March 23 - 4:56 pm

  Test drove every full sized truck available and the Titan stood out from the rest. Great features, controls logically placed and comfortable made it the clear choice for me. After 6 months with zero problems if find myself liking it even more as time goes on.