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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  my kickass titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By kendall titan - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the best truck ever built flat out.

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  I Love This Truck! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Babe1 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  In March 2003,I bought a Frontier;In November 2003 I went to a car show and encountered the Titan.Fell in love and the rest is history.March 1,2004 I bought my SE king cab. This truck is the best looking thing on the highway, not to mention the best preformance in a vehicle that I have ever encountered.It drives and rides better than most car I have driven. My only regret is that I had to wait until March until they were offered in my area!

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  No More Chevy Silverados - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jerryd - May 23 - 10:00 am

  The Nissan Titan was definitely my truck of choice. Ive driven nothing but Chevy Silverados 4x2 the last seven years and this beats Chevy hands down in overall performance. My wife normally didnt drive my Silverados but she is always eager to drive my Titan. I hope Nissan continues with reliability,improvements and maintenance for the Titan in 2005 and beyond. I own the Smoke SE 4x4 model with Power Captain Chairs, Off Road Package and Utility package.

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  Update on Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By James - May 22 - 7:56 pm

  Initially I thought I was getting an awesome truck with great quality. I was wrong on the quality!!! I have numerous ghost rattles and squeaks that cannot be found in door panels, fenders, dash, seats, center console. I detail vehicles part time,and this TITANs paint is losy at best. the clearcoat is super thin, the paint stains with a few hours of bird droppings in the shade. Yes, I keep it clean and waxed. The OEM tires are a joke. The front end alignment bad from the factory and chewed up four tires before they figured it was the alignment. To bad they didnt listen to my suggestions on the alignment. Brakes repaired/replaced three times, and they are only average.

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  Titan Family, truck replaces minivan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Sunne - May 18 - 2:16 am

  Fun to drive, plenty of power and manueverabilty. Good backseat room, split front power bench makes 6 passengers possible. Rattle in front wheel plastic panels next to engine. Big power window in rear allows for passthrough easily. The rear warning system is a big help with backing up and hooking up trailers. This feature has prevented many potential collisions.

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  08 Titan - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By AFBLU - May 14 - 9:20 am

  I just upgraded from a 06 Titan SE. I was impressed enough with the SE to look at the 08s. The 08 LE CC is almost to pretty for a truck, but it is a truck and will be used as one like its predecessor. Its ride is improved and is quieter. The brakes, like the engine, are smooth and strong. The utili-track bed system should be in every truck on the road. I drove Ford, Toyota and Chevy and found this truck not only to be the best for the money, but the best truck overall.

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  Best truck I ever owned - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By cowpen1 - May 6 - 2:29 am

  I bought this Titan new with the expectation that I would be driving it till its dead. I just turned 100,000 miles, and can say in all honesty that it drives exactly like it did the day I bought it. It feels like its just broken in. I read on the forums about the sub-par quality of the OEM brake rotors, so I had those replaced under TSB before I ever had a problem. Other than that, this truck has never been in the shop. I havent had to replace a belt, bulb, switch, or anything else besides tires, wiper blades and oil (Mobil 1). Ive had numerous Ford & Chevy trucks, but this Titan has them all beat hands down in every respect. Im glad to know its built in Mississippi.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Cadman! - May 5 - 10:03 pm

  I traded in a 2004 f-150 loaded for this truck. The Ford had a little better interior fit and finish but I like the Titan better in all other aspects. Once you drive one of these you will think all other trucks are running v-6. This truck will really get out and go and still have pretty good mileage even though I am in to the gas a little hard at times.

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  Lemon - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Oktex - May 2 - 7:13 pm

  Bought Truck New in 2004. Have had water leaking in problems for over 2 years and run around from Nissan. Engine Power is Great. Build Quality is bad. Water leaks in. Rear Diff clunks. Plastic interior coming apart. Radio/Cruse steering wheel controls crooked.

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  rattles and bad salesman - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Mario - May 1 - 12:36 pm

  I love this truck and am happy that I own it. But it would appear the quality of those who manufactured the vehicles was poor. Mechanically everything is sound. Though I have, on the inside, lots of clicks, rattles, poorly placed trim and many other complaints. Worse than that, my salesman was a snake in the grass. Not that I should have expected more from a car salesman, but he certainly threw a kink in the whole experience. It would be nice if the bed was a little longer, like 8 inches longer, but at 64 with the extra cab I cant really complain. Hauling a cord of wood is easy enough, but making it a 3/4 ton truck wouldve been nice. Know also that this truck dents very easily!