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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  Ive gone to the dark side! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By MyTitan - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Im not a truck owner type but after test driving the Titan, I am now! You can say that the Titan has brought me to the dark side. IÂ’ve always thought the large vehicle craze was ridicules, why own an oversized scrape of metal on 4 wheels that sucks down gas like no tomorrow. Fuel economy was no longer my concern once I felt the power of the 5.6 L engine, what a joy! Great job Nissan on your first Full- size pick up truck!

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  TITAN IS KING - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Vin D - February 19 - 12:53 pm

  I love my Titan. Style looks great, performance is typical of great Nissan quality, and most of all the reliability is 2nd to none. Ive owned 10 Nissan products and in between made the mistake of getting a Chevy and it only took 12 months to go back to the Nissan. My loaded LE Crew Cab is a dream. Plenty of room for my college age sons, my wife and I for short or long trips. Works for my weekend warrior project hauling and is also stylish enough to take on evenings out with the wife. I will never consider another truck!

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  Excellent - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Louis - February 11 - 8:03 am

  Great family, work, and weekend truck. Nice smooth ride like a luxury car and power like a sports car.

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  5.6 Liter Hemi Eater - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By AdamSibille - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this truck now for a few months and have turned heads since purchasing. The vehicle is by far the best driving truck on the market. The smooth ride and low road noise make this a great buy for everyone. Eventhough it has low road noise, it still has exceptional power when you need it. Plenty of room for the whole family seating six comfortably.

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  Value, Value, Value... - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By Englander - February 6 - 1:56 am

  Well after spending $21000 on a new 2009 King Cab SE I could not be happier. A lot of people seem to be upset with poor MPG. Its 5.6 V8 with 300+ hp what do expect if you floor it. I have been driving steady and I do a lot of highway miles and 20 mpg is easy. I had a 4 cylinder Frontier and that got about 24 mpg. Its big comfortable and well equipped for the price of a new Altima. I like most looked at other trucks but you cannot beat the value.

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  Great Truck, Except for the Brakes - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By BT - February 5 - 8:56 am

  Bought this last year for a work truck, wife liked it so much she started driving it and didnt give it up. It rides great, very comfortable and has plenty of power. The Rockford Fosgate sounds good, volume adjusts with speed, (dont know if the 30000 mile review guy knows this) The only problem has been the brakes. I have had it in once, at 6000 miles, but they are starting to go again. If Nissan cant figure it out I will switch to Brembos. The gas mileage could be better, I have a 65 mile round trip commute and 16 mpg doesnt cut it. (this is why I am driving the wifes car)A friend of mine has one as well, he switched to syn. oil and diff. exhaust and got 20 mpg, but it should be better

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  Fantastic Truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By SuaSponte - February 3 - 4:53 am

  I shopped for a while and narrowed my full size crew cab truck choice down to a Ford F-150 Lariat or the Nissan Titan LE, both 4x4s. After a couple of test drives it was a no-brainer, the Nissan was far superior in all respects. The Ford seats were not comfortable, the Nissans sound system and controls were much better; additionally, the navigation system in the Nissan was awesome and much better implemented. The Ford F-150s power was an also ran in comparison. Both trucks ride and handle very well for big rides, but the Nissan felt more stable in the mountain roads where I ride. Also love the spray in bedliner from the factory and the innovative bed management rail system, etc...

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  Nissan Titan SE 4 dr SWB - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Eric V. - February 1 - 7:30 am

  Ive owned Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and now Nissan. By far the Nissan Titan out performs in all aspects of what a truck should be. Ive compared all others in its class, and nothing comes close to the Titan. Ive been more than happy with the truck since Ive owned it and would recommend the truck to anyone who would like a great truck.

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  Great truck...even though - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Matt H - January 30 - 8:40 am

  I love my truck. I did not realize how much I enjoyed it until I had to be without it. The window regulator broke this past Sunday. Window dropped to the bottom of the door. Not so good for a new vehicle. Gas milage is poor, power is great. Truck can tow every bit of 9100 lbs with package, as advertised. I have put it to great use towing what ever. BVery easy to control and manuver. Get compliments all the time. More storage than one will need. Plenty of room for my 18 mo. old sons car seat, and still have 2 adults in the rear. If only the satilite radio feature was not $320.00. Then Id be 100% happy.

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  Big, Black, and Bad - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By ABeezy - January 29 - 12:26 am

  This truck is awesome. Ive always been in the import scene with sporty coupes and sedans, this is a truck that has the same appeal. This is the third vehicle Ive owned in about the last 6 months (01 Lexus IS300, 2002 Nissan XTerra, and now a Titan) and Im pretty sure Ill hold onto this one for a long time!