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:

• 

  Good and Bad - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Greg - July 29 - 11:53 am

  Bought my 06 Titan in June 06. Have had it back to the dealer 6 times for small problems (windows, door handle problems for example). Problems seem to be fixed and love the truck otherwise. Great power, fun to drive and handles my 23 ft. camper so much better than my last Ford truck did. That five speed transmission is fantastic pulling a heavy load. My Ford couldnt do the highway speed limit and sounded like it would blow when it would downshift going up the smallest incline. The Titans five speed tranny handles the speed and inclines wonderfully and I couldnt be happier. Well, maybe with a few more miles per gallon. E85 fuel economy is brutal in this vehicle.

• 

  Love my Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Buz - June 7 - 7:56 am

  I love my Titan. Plenty of power and a very smooth transmission. Great riding truck and I would purchase another. In fact I plan to buy another one soon. Gas mileage could be better.

• 

  Amazed! - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By David B - May 31 - 11:50 pm

  I was looking for a car for my daughter and while I was there, test drove this truck on a whim. I was completely amazed at the ride comfort and features. I traded my Dodge Hemi- Ram Laredo that afternoon. Not a lot of difference in the power but the difference in the ride and handling is like night and day. Finally, a truly functional and capable truck that doesnt ride like a chuck-wagon or handle like a battleship.

• 

  A Sport Truck w/o Compromising Utility - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By JLBAUCOM - May 13 - 5:26 am

  My Titan replaces an 05 F150 w/ 5.4L V8. Compared to the Ford, which was a very good truck, the Nissan has a much stronger performing drivetrain and returns fuel economy slightly better than the Ford 5.4 did. To me, the bucket seats up front are very comfortable, though some may find them too firm. The stereo and HVAC controls are laid out well and are easy to use and look very nice, even with the orange backlighting. In the back seat, I really like the wide opening rear doors when loading people or stuff when parked beside another car. The bag hooks under the back seat are also a nice touch. The stock 33" tires give the truck a very beefy look, unlike the competitions smallish tires.

• 

  Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By KYACE - May 4 - 12:00 am

  Just an awesome truck, great power, great looks and towing. I had this thing in deep mud up to bottom of doors while hauling a bobcat, never even slowed down.

• 

  good truck. - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By maggo24us - March 23 - 3:53 pm

  Had this truck for almost two years now. I have no complaints. Though a little slow from a stop, it moves like hell once the rpm gets up a little. I added a cold air intake and replaced the muffler with a high flow. I have yet to see the poor fuel mileage that i was warned about from so many people. I get 19.3 on the hwy, 15.5 in town. Thats not treating it nice, either. Great towing, fun, very reliable.

• 

  Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jeff - February 23 - 6:10 pm

  This is the best truck around. I have driven in Chevies, Dodges, and Fords and they do not compare. The Tundra is less powerful, smaller, and less sporty inside and out (current model). As far as other complaints about gas mileage, I get as good or better than my friends in domestic full size trucks. Nissan put in all the features on their first try with a full size truck.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  18 mpg highway, not in my truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By mike - January 10 - 7:56 am

  I wish nissan would have been up front about mpg, this truck is killing me in fuel. However this truck has more power then i will ever need. its been to the shop for few defects already, something I did not expect from a nissan product. I am also on my third set of tires after only 32,000 miles. I am thinking about trading it in for a toyota.