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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  sweet ride - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By titanguy - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I did masive research on trucks and Im able to buy at or below invoice o on Fords and GMs and still wanted the Titan. Ricart ran an add for a SE KC w/popular pkg splach gaurds and the most expensive floor mats ever 22900.00 I drove as fast as possible to the dealer and bought.this is one sweet ride. I must say with all the dealers I went to there salesmen didnt know squate about this truck or what you could get for it.

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  KEEP TRYING NISSAN - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ROBINIJ - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Power is good but if the engine is built with the same quality as the rest of the vehicle I worry about the reliabilty. Driving the Titan is good but certainly not exceptional. I was fortunate that my truck came complete with scuffed/damaged tires and a door ding, thus saving me the worry of my first parking lot injuries. At least the paint didnt have the big clearcoat sags I noticed in another Titan. The passenger door lock and the low pressure warning light are items to be fixed, but with the confidence I have in the dealership I think Ill suffer these problems until Nissan send the recall notice! Ill listen to the ratings next time.

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  Titan King Cab, 4X4, Galaxy, LE - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By rdgrnr101 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I am extemely pleased with my Titan. I have been pleasantly suprised by the layout and finish of the interior. The engine power is smoothly transferred through the drive train to the wheels. The ride of the vehicle is really comfortable, while being firm enough to handle off-road riding. Being a former Ford, F150, Lightning (2000) owner, I do believe that Ford, as well as GM have a real full-size, competitor, in the Titan, for their dominance of US pickup sales. With Nissans planned, addition of options and other improvements on the 2004 model, for later roll out, the competition is here.

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  Back to a Titan - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Martini - March 6 - 2:03 am

  I owned an 05 for 3 1/2 years when gas prices peaked. Panic set in so I traded in for an Acura RL. 18 months later I had to go back to a full size pick up. Looked at Ford (liked it, especially the SYNC), Toyota (really liked it, before the recall), Chevy (liked it but wow what a price), Dodge (did not like it at all, funny but I love it in the commercials). When I got back into the Titan (last one I drove) I felt at home and the price was right. Loaded up LE 4x4 crew cab beat the extended cab Tundra by some four grand. Two weeks after my purchase the recall hit and I looked like a genius :-P

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  Whats up with the gearing ? - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By TOM - March 5 - 2:03 am

  This truck is very comfortable, quiet cab, nice controls etc... but what really makes this truck disappointing is the GEARING. Nissan posts the truck has 379 ft/lbs of torque and the lowest gears you can get are 3.36:1 with the big tow package. The best fuel miles Ive gotten are 16mpg on the highway. You cannot make this truck accelerate just because it has a 5-speed transmission. Go Drive a NEW Silverado with a 5.3L (smaller) engine w/ 3.73:1 gears, result - the Chevy will out pull, out accelerate this Nissan everyday of the week and twice on Sundays plus the Silverado gets 19- 20mpg on the highway because of its OVERDRIVE transmission. GEARING is EVERYTHING in a truck this heavy. GM wins.

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  BEWARE OF THE TITAN - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By hhrn - March 1 - 11:40 pm

  Bought brand new from dealer in 07. Loyal Nissan owner (have owned no other vehicle). First thing to go bad was rear end (20K mi.), replaced. Then began running rough, stalled and would not run, brought in to Nissan, bad cat. converters, ruined my engine, had brand new engine put in, new cat. converters, and new fuel pump. Now tranny is slipping, and it has brake judder when applying brakes (out of warranty) DO NOT BUY. I have NEVER towed anything with my truck, never put more than 3 sheets of plywood in the back, and NEVER EVER abused my truck. All recommended maintenance performed, oil changed ever 3k miles, etc. I am now looking at a Toyota. WARNING DO NOT BUY!!!!

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  Awesome Truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By jcook74 - February 28 - 1:53 pm

  There isnt a single thing Nissan didnt think of. Everything about the Titan is first class starting with the engine and going to the rugged look of the body and the utility bed to the comfort and roominess inside. Im 63 and have more than enough leg room behind the wheel. Sure the gas mileage isnt great, but it isnt any worse than other trucks and Nissan has never been terribly competitive in that area anyway.

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  I love it - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Hans - February 11 - 2:16 am

  The best truck I ever owned and the best gas milage for a full size truck I can imagine . I am getting in mixed traffic real 14 mpg. Had My Dodge RAM 1500 before never driven over 10mpg amd my GMC Sierra 1500 always around 13 mpg. I love the comfort the size, the ride the power the design the everything. A real winner. Too bad that they did that thing with Pearl Harbor, I could actually like a Japanese Truck without that incident.

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  Nice truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Paul - February 2 - 6:03 am

  Nice truck with great power and design features. Great cd system and interior design. Looks good and handles good. The engine is loud, but the cabin insulation still makes listening to conversations and music/radio ok. I havent noticed any wind noise, but have only had the truck since December 2004. The read-outs for the gear display, 4-wheel drive indicator and trip mileage are digital and a light orange color that is unreadable with sunglasses on in the bright sunlight. This would be my main complaint. Otherwise, a very nice truck.

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  Tire sensors/check engine soon - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By jerkey - January 25 - 8:00 pm

  Just purchased / truck rides extremely well. Was surprised. Only problem with this truck is the tire sensors, if you change the tires you have to reset to have the light go out on dash. Mine is still lit. Another way to make you bring to dealership. Also engine service light comes on & stays on dont know why. Asked dealership people, they were mesmerized. I will write another review after I find out what is going on with these sensor lights?