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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  Bought it for RV use - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By larryk - May 5 - 8:30 am

  I love the truck. Lots of power to pull a good size trailer in the half ton class. I have also used it with a 8 slide-in camper that is over weight. It handles it well but needs overloads and a stonger frame to reduce flex. Performance problem is surging under decleration at around 3000 rpm loaded or unloaded, Cruise or manual. Overall mpg is 13 with a max of 17. Would like better of course. Sometimes the seat & mirror memory system act peculiar but shut down and start over and it comes up OK. When I lost my lug nut key, the dealerships (3) wouldnt remove or let me remove the locks from my other wheels without a charge even tho I paid for and ordered a replacement key. Bad policy.

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  love the titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By matrix - May 4 - 3:16 pm

  Titan has great power which is very noticeable when wanting to make that quick on ramp sprint. The ride is good as long as the road is smooth. I recommend getting the off road package well worth the money. The interior is great ergonomically but the materials used on the dash,center shift console, and the seats are of inferior quality. Handling seems to be superior to other trucks according to truck trend, which by the way gave the titan 2005 truck of the year. Dont let the numbers full you though, the titan will pull just as good as the hemi or the 5.4 triton. Hope this was helpful and hope that maybe you will become a titan owner.

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  This Is a Workhorse - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Wolfden1 - May 4 - 2:03 pm

  I have owned SUVs in the past and all have paled in comparison. Fortunately, I have not had the brake problem that I have read about in the reviews. The power this truck has is incredible.

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  Go titan!!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By charlesc - May 4 - 10:00 am

  the first time i drove the titan i was amazed with the instant acceleration. i was also very impressed with the titans interior space. overall it it best truck for the dollar!

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  2004 Nissan Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Roy Young - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable, best towing in its class, good fuel economy for the size...Everything Nissans advertisements claim, we have found to be true. This is an extremely comfortable ride. The backseat leg and head room is amazing. Our salesman is 68" an even he was comfortable in the back! With the optional towing and off- road packages it is a fishermans dream. Maneuvering the boat ramp is much easier with the power and handling of a Titan. We test drove a Toyota Tundra and really liked it. Then we drove the Nissan Titan and knew we had found a better truck. Nissan really got it right with this one.

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  Nice truck but consider higher trim leve - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By jlarzz - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck 2 weeks ago. It is a blast to drive. But, the XE King Cab doesnt come with power windows/mirrors, keyless entry or tinted glass (rear tint is an option). Think about this when you buy one, Im 61" and cant reach across the bench seat at a stoplight with the foot on the brake to adjust a mirror, unlock the passenger door (well, maybe with the console up) or roll down the passenger window. Consider the next higher trim level. Otherwise, It drives like a sportscar with power on tap. I can blast over speed bumps at work without hardly feeling them.

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  small business owner - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By CHARLES - April 30 - 10:46 pm

  nice truck lots of power fun to drive. sticker reads 15 city and 19 highway. i get 10 city and 15 highway. doors dont close very well, passengers allways close twice. g.p.s. is not user friendly. when you are driving your passenger can not use the gps and pulling over so you can use it is not allways possible. thats sucks. hunda has a better gps.

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  best truck ever owned - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By timothy meier - April 29 - 4:06 am

  i absolutely love driving this truck. the comfort and feel of the vehicle is great. and the power is great.

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  Titan Happy! - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Trey Vo - April 26 - 4:43 am

  I waited a couple of years before buying my titan to see how the truck held up. To me, I am very pleased to see how solid the titan is. The power, the looks, the excitement, the reliability, and the compliments has kept me happy about my titan. I am impressed with how much more power is there even while towing a trailer loaded with my other car going 70-80 mph with a/c on. My only suggestion when towing is making sure there is automatic trailer brakes or replaced the stock brakes with heavy duty brakes.

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  WOW, what a difference - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By StevieRayB - April 20 - 8:33 pm

  This truck is simply incredible. The appearance and power is awesome. Where my 2004 GMC had to hard-down shift and tach to 4200 to maintain 70 mph on the interstate, this truck doesnt downshift and the tach isnt above 2000 - it is hardly breathing!! There are a few things that Nissan could do better - offer fold-in mirrors as an option with the tow package, use a different color for the odometer (yellow fades out in the sun), and offer CD slots in the middle console. One last thing - to keep the gas mileage in the reasonable range, go easy on the gas pedal. Ive been getting 17.5 mpg and think thats fine for an engine and power combination of this size.