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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  POWER! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Coach D - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This truck has a lot more power than the new F-150. Its very responsive...zero to 60 in 6.9 seconds, need I say more! Either Nissan is doesnt know how to rate horsepower very well or Ford lied about having 300 hp. The Ford has a better interior, but the engine in this blows the Ford away. The bed system is great. I love the exhaust sound, tough.

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  Nissan Titan Best Built Truck in America - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By John Lechuga - March 22 - 12:40 pm

  Despite the seatbelt recall, everything else on the Truck is superb. Original brakes lasted over 80K. Will surpass 100 miles by Dec 2009. Now that it is broken in, I cant wait for the next 200,000 miles. This truck is my quad. The vehicle is in excellent condition. Love my truck.

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  2006 Nissan Titan Rating - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Randolph Gordy - March 21 - 1:56 am

  Has plenty of pickup and can outmuscle most cars and trucks on the road and is very agile for such a large pickup. Body design is a plus. An eye-catcher. Most people think the Titan was made in Japan. But they are suprised when informed that the Titan was designed in California, built in Mississippi, and the motor was made in Tennesee. How American can a truck get? Wonder if some of the American made trucks can say the same thing?

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  Titan FOREVER IN MT 1 year review - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By L.O. in MT - March 17 - 8:06 pm

  We bought our titan last December and after a year of owning it we love ours! Are titan drives like its still new! These trucks are very safe too! I should know another car did a 360 spin in front of us going down a steep hill that was very icy it hit the drivers side which caused us too slide off the road and go down a very steep embankment and roll it landed back on its wheels and surprisingly it was still running perfect and none of us was injured highly. we got it fixed and it runs like nothing ever happened. highly recommend this vehicle. the cabin is very quite.

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  Awesome Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jeff1030 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 03 Chev Silverado for this Titan. Chev cant hold a candle to this truck. Smooth, powerful, quiet, features, all in Nissans favor. Even got a good deal considering this is a no dicker truck at present. Fit and finish are a good or better than any import Ive ever owned. Turning radius is excellent, adjustable pedals are a great feature for the shorter driver in the family. Bed is as long at the Chev with a smaller wheel wells in the bed. Still asked almost daily what Im driving. Turns heads almost every where I go.

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  Hit or Miss - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Bwilson5 - March 15 - 5:10 pm

  07 Extended Cab 4x4 OR package. First off the paint on these things is a little cheap looks like an orange peel and the clear coat scratches easy. Secondly these trucks are notorious for the rear end axle seal leaking...I had mine RR side worked on 3 TIMES!! before the dealership could get it right. This truck is also noisey and the tailgate sounds bad on bumps. Don’t get me wrong I love this truck awesome power and looks great lifted. This truck takes well to mods and can really set you apart from the crowd if done in good taste. Hands down one of the best engine/drivetrains out there but the rear end issues need to be addressed...but overall I still think this is a great truck love it

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  NEW OWNER - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By RAMSEY - March 11 - 10:00 am

  VERY GOOD TRUCK. I LIKE IT.

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  2007 Nissan Titan SE 4dr King Cab SB - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By nismo - March 10 - 7:33 am

  Best truck Ive ever owned. Good power, roomy, good on gas (kinda) and it will out run the new tundra great truck.

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  What A Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Trouthunter - March 10 - 1:50 am

  Having been a Ford man most of my life, I cant believe that the Titan is my favorite of all of the 15 trucks that I have owned in my lifetime. The ride is amazing, the power phenomenal and in 4x4 mode, its almost impossible to get stuck. In town, on the highway, pulling a boat to the bay or in the brush country of South Texas it is at home. The only beef that I have with it is that Id like a little more width on the front captain chairs as Ive got a little "junk in my trunk" and the seatbelt connector can jab me at times. Other than that, no complaints at all about this truck. Give it a try; you wont be sorry.

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  Gas mileage Stinks - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By william b. paatrick - March 6 - 10:00 am

  okay, the titan is fun to drive and the exterior design is snazzy but the gas mileage stinks. You cant keep gas in it! If I had it to do over again, I would not purchase the titan truck. I recommend you wait and buy the new 2005 Frontier which is coming out in Dec 2004. Im serious you cant keep gas in the titan. deac