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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  BETTER THAN FORD AND CHEVY - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By posh4 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD A FORD F350 SUPERCREW 6.0 4X4 AND A CHEVY 2500HD DURAMAX 4X4 AND THE TITAN RIDES BETTER AND HANDLES BETTER.THE BEST IS THE FUEL ECONOMY. GO DRIVE ONE AT VICTORY NISSAN 757 436 4900 TELL THEM TIM POSH SENT YOU FOR A INVOICE DEAL

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  05 titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By phansen - March 24 - 2:00 pm

  Great truck, plenty of room in the front & in the rear seats as well. Great radio system. Plenty of tow capacity no problem towing my boat. Love the rear sliding glass from the driver seat.Love the driver side two adjustment seat postions. Would tell every looking to buy a new truck to go and test drive one and look at all the FEATURES TOO MANY TO LIST .

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  Titan Review - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By strang - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the ride, roomy and comfortable. Step on gas and this vehicle really wants to move. Handles like a smaller SUV. Plenty of room for family. Grate towing vehicle.

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  Great Power, Weak MPG - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By Bill - March 16 - 9:53 am

  I purchased this titan used with 15,000 miles. Very good value and a tough looking truck. Very comfortable and drives well. I am experimenting with gas mileage. I tried e85 flex fuel and just finished that tank getting 11 mpg city. I have gone back to gasoline hoping for better results. I also have ordered a bed cover hoping that will add some mpg. Overall very happy with the truck, its comfort and power.

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  Well thought out design! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By DJ HaVoC - March 14 - 6:46 pm

  After reading MANY reviews about all types of full size crew cab trucks, I finally purchased this one. Very glad I did. Excellent quality, well thought out designs throughout the entire vehicle. Very powerful, responsive, and nice easy ride. Its size does not overwhelm a new driver as I thought it would. Virtually no blind spots with the split mirrors with the tow package.

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  Benchmark worthy - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By jrs - March 12 - 2:53 pm

  It is no wonder the new silverado and tundra have been given monster torque and hp, because in 04 nissan set a new benchmark for power and performance in its debut truck. Interior build is the only drawback. A few things are going to be a little off, wear poorly (my visors sag, and the paint comes off with wear on the door handle). Putting the rubber to the road, you will feel like you are in a 90s chevy z-71... if that truck had a huge interior that doubles as your office on the road (i landscape for extra cash). Steering is tight, driving is fun, mileage is the same as the new f-150. I would buy this truck again every time, and it has better base features.

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  Great Truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By mike - March 10 - 6:43 am

  Had mine for 17 months. Great truck as the tile says. Fuel mileage isnt great but with the engine this thing has I am not surprised. This thing with a trailer will walk off from any Ford I have owned or driven and I have had nothing but Fords for the last 30 years until now. Drove a new 2009 F150 and it still doesnt compare. I have had no issues whatsoever and am very happy with the truck.

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  awsome truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By al - March 5 - 3:16 am

  Ive had this truck for almost a year. the ride is great. awsome power, great sound from exhaust. best looking truck. Already been in the dealer for new window switches, front brake dicks raplaced. Heat shield retightened, and nasty rattles coming from dash, driver and passenger doors, head rest,(which dealer has tried to fix with poor succes) Tail gate slides to right or left when opened.

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  Could be a great truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Joe Herzig - February 22 - 9:23 pm

  I had high expectations when I purchased this truck two years ago. I have had two Nissans previously and had good luck with them. The Titan has been nothing but a headache since I have owned it. The brakes, water leaks, severe rust, engine ping, blue smoke, steering column replacement, rear end, squeaks and rattles, missing parts and pieces, and poor Nissan customer support. Nissan fails to recognize that they released a truck before all the kinks were worked out. The build quality was substandard. They forgot to install a important bolt in the frame which created problems and the only fix was to drill a two inch hole in my floorboard. That is an example of poor QA in Canton, MS.

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  Best of the 5 full-size trucks - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By D. Robin - February 22 - 7:26 pm

  This is my 5th vehicle and first truck. First 4 were all Honda/Acura. After signing on the dotted line, the Titan has exceeded my expectations. The throaty factory exhaust audibly transfers the engines power into a beautiful sound when you hit the gas. The Titan interior felt more like what I was accustomed to with Honda cars. All the early defects from 04 have been resolved.