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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  Nice truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Meanbiker - November 7 - 3:13 pm

  Vehicle is solid and to this point very dependable. Everything works as advertised. I have pulled a trailer and load that was over the 9400 pound limit with no problem. Very impressive.

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  Titan number 2 - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Steve - November 2 - 6:33 pm

  This is my second Titan, 1st one in 2004 and loved it in town and on the highway. Traded for a new Frontier in 2007 and never looked back until last month. Love the Frontier so much I kept it and traded my commuter car. This 2010 Titan is now my daily driver and it is great. Gas mileage is as expected, just OK. It is a full sized truck with a V-8 and the 16 in town is ok. Comfortable, handles like a dream, sounds great and lots of toys. Loving it! Nissan hit a home run in 04 and it still is 7 years later. I did compare to the other full size trucks and Nissan is still the best for the money.

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  Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By DMS - November 1 - 4:06 am

  Other than typical problems, it has been good to me and I am hard on vehicles.

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  Amazing Truck - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Kevin Zamora - October 27 - 1:20 pm

  I test drove every make and model for every company before I decided on this one. I am 65 and one of my main concerns was room. I have plenty of leg room and there is still plenty of room in the back for other people. It has plenty of power and the drive is as smooth as any other truck I drove. Hands down the best truck out there.

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  worst truck ive bought - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By usmc_nick1 - October 27 - 9:30 am

  worst truck i have bought by far. 2nd owner of 73k miles. drove it about 5k miles before putting over $5,000 in repairs into it, first problem was my drive shaft came out of my rear axle and transfer case. new axle and transfer case rebuild.. then my ECM went out, it was a safety recall, but nissan refused to pay for damages and my recall. i will not recommend this truck to anyone. then i needed a whole new front suspension (ball joints, shocks and springs) cause they were old and bad. but that comes with age.

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  Not bad for first time out - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By James - October 24 - 12:50 pm

  Very impressed with the Titan. Drove a Tundra prior and there is no comparison. The Titan is bigger, roomier, and definately more powerful. Sure the Tundra is more refined and luxurious but this is a truck, not a Lexus. The Titan identifies what the truck owner needs.

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  2005 Titan: Quality is now there - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By mutthead52 - October 24 - 4:23 am

  With 1000 miles on Feb 05 build date CC LE 4WD fully loaded (everything possible) Titan, Im happy to report I have had perfect quality and performance so far. None of the well- known initial quality glitches have shown up, and my Feb 05 truck was cleared of all known TSBs except the "permanent" brake fix, which is still reported to be a couple of months away. Mileage is not good, but already better than the Denali AWD it replaced, or its stablemate Audi S6. DVD, Satellite radio, Nav., RF radio all perform perfectly. Time and more miles may yet tell a different story, but as of now I can assure 05 buyers that Ghosne and the Nissan team appear have cleaned up the situation completely.Go for it.

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  Best truck ever - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jose Luis Mondragon - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Finally I truck worth driving. I was shopping around for a long time but after lookin into Nissans new Titan there was no doubt about it that it was the best Ive seen in trucks.

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  Great Truck Overall - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By PV - October 22 - 3:03 pm

  I bought this truck used off of my father because my lease on my Mercedes was about over. I drove this truck when visiting him and I really loved it. I never considered myself a truck person, but now I dont know how I could live without one. I use it for all sorts of things. Home projects, carrying bikes, moving large items. The interior is nicely appointed and this truck is fast and powerful. Ive out run respectable performance sedans entering the highway where two lanes go down to one with 4 people. This truck has the optional Big Tow package and 4WD. Ive moved some heavy items with this truck without issue. Reliability has been good, except for a radiator leak at 30k miles.

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  Love It! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By EEJ3rd - October 14 - 2:30 am

  The best truck on the market. Drove them all and this is clearly the pace- setter. Handles very crisply and I love the torque at low RPMs. I also enjoy the looks you get around town.