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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  Tried the rest, driving the best - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Randy - July 8 - 10:00 am

  After running through 10 trucks in the last eight years, I finally have one I enjoy owning. I enjoy it so much, I bought an Armada for my wife. This is a strong truck that is fun to drive. It easily seats 4 large adult comfortably. It is nimble and easy to park. Compared to the rest, more power and traction than the rest, ride comes in second to Dodge, and cabin space is near the top of the class.

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  Rave review. - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Mike - July 6 - 8:16 pm

  Wonderful truck; fun to drive. Handles everything I thorw at it, and I play hard.

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  First time without a Ford - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ALinNJ - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Frods all my life. With my wife I have driven Dodge, Jeep and Chevy. I test drove the full size pick ups on the market and Chose the Titan. I have never had a vehicle this fun to drive. The entire sales experience was even a pleasure. I kept waiting for the old fashion games but they did not come just a fully loaded, appropriatly priced, excellently designed machine. Nissans new US plant is building a great piece of equipment.

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  GO TITAN GOOOOOOO!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Noel55 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This truck has it all even poor gas milage. I love it but wish it got better gas milage. One complaint is the radio reflection in back window when looking in rear view mirror.

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  Great buy - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By birmingham 2 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is an addendum to my earlier review. Just wondering if anyone else has had any problems. At 3000 miles, my rotors are completely warped. The dealer told me that they got a bad bunch of pads and will replace all the rotors and pads whenever they become available. Today my shift linkage broke. Overall a great truck if they get the bugs out.

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  Great Truck!! - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By E. Johnson - June 26 - 7:06 am

  I have owned Nissan trucks in the past; however, this is by far the best truck they have ever built. I had a Chevy Silverado before purchasing this truck so I test drove the new ones before buying the Titan. This truck has so much more muscle that I had to get it. It converted an old Chevy dog like me back to a Nissan Titan fan.

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  Still best truck out there - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By ah7771 - June 19 - 8:46 pm

  My 2nd Titan. I have the fully loaded LE with navigation. I compared it to the Tundra which I drove immediately beforehand and even though the Tundra is a newer model and has more hp, the Titan just feels faster and the interior is more luxurious. I compared it to a top-of-the line Tundra.

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  2006 Titan LE 4X4 - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By J S - June 19 - 4:40 pm

  Very impressive vehicle. I have not found a single thing that I do not like about it.

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  I love this truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Kjf - June 12 - 12:00 am

  This is the best truck ever. We have had it for a little over a year. I dont get to drive it often because I bought it for my husband. We got the no fear package on it. Looks great and even with it being raised it drives really smooth. It doesnt make tight turns at all with the no fear package. Which only matters in small parking spots and dont even think about dong u turns. We dont drive it much these days with cali gas prices.

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  WOW What A BEAST and the rest will drool - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By travjones27 - June 9 - 8:53 pm

  Let me tell you after owning a chevy impala SS for 3 years and taking it on multiple trips, this truck is much more comfortable and feels safer and more reliable. A lot of people think this is a foreign vehicle but guess again. American MADE IN THE GOOD OLD USA> factory in Tennessee builds them. Just like Chevy, Dodge, and ford, all built will imported parts, this truck rips them apart with flying colors. i Dont even care about the fuel management system going down to 4 cylinders cause i live in the hills. Our chevy impala had it and it was only in 4 cylinder on the highway or coasting down a hill in which the Nissan gets a hundred miles a gallon going down hill also. Fuel Management is done!