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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  All Trucks Should Be Built This Well - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Great Truck - September 22 - 11:46 am

  I have had this truck for nine months and it still feels like I just drove it off the dealers lot. This has got to be the best built truck anywhere. I like the roominess, the way it drives, everything. The last time I felt this way about a vehicle, was when I bought a 1968 Camaro SS/RS.

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  Love my Titan!!!! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By gumby1995 - September 22 - 4:22 am

  This is my 4th Nissan, first 1/2 ton truck. 2005 model, 117,000 miles. Easy to drive, great acceleration, very comfortable, has held up well on interior and exterior. Have had left rear differential start leaking - caught it before it turned into major problem. Tow hitch plug was faulty - losing contact-brake lights werent working on trailer. Inexpensive fix. Have tow package - tow 2 horse aluminum trailer with ease (after installing larger transmission cooler). Engine was getting a little hot on steep inclines (hauling 2 horses and alot of gear) with factory one.

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  Excellent - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By MATTHEW - September 22 - 12:53 am

  Overall this has been a great truck. My only complaint is I have never been able to get the highway fuel economy stated on the window sticker. I was never expecting hybrid mileage but it would be nice to at least get what Nissan is claiming. I am one that trades autos very often but am thinking this will be one I will keep for some time.

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  More Bang for your Buck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By bill from nj - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I used to have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4X, and it was a great and dependable vehicle. I examined the Dodge Ram 1500 and the Titan, and though the Dodge offerd many incentives to buy, I still felt the Titan offered more Bang for the buck. I also feel with the great reputation of Nissan, this truck will give years of good dependable service. I only have this truck for just over a month, but it performs as advertized, and the interior is like a Infinite with a bed attached. I would highly recommend this truck. Look-Out Ford Dodge & Chevy P.S..Everyone looks at this truck when I go buy, its still very rare around here...!

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  great cowgirl truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By lab4747 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Needed a V8 to tow a horse trailer, and the GMC/Chevy option was not nearly as well equipped, nor as good looking and functional. I shopped around and got exactly the options I wanted, with an excellent Nissan finance deal (2% for 60 months), traded in my V6 and drove the Titan home yesterday. Mileage is estimated to be exactly what my Tacoma was getting, but with this, I dont need to pedal when towing uphill!

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  MIXED Feelings?? - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By guyhazard - September 16 - 11:13 pm

  There are things about this Truck I love and things I hate. The performance as far as road handeling and power are Great, this truck moves when you put your foot in it! stability steering all good even at high speed. Off Road is very poor, Handeling is rough, I have had to replace sway bar mounts 5 times the last time with a beefed up aftermarket kit and instead of the joints breaking the whole sway bar broke off. multiple broken u joints, you might think im beating this truck to death, this is simple offroad washbed driving not trail running, jumping crazieness like I used to do in my Silverado. Paint is completely faded in roof, hood and wheel wells and ive hand waxed it 4 times a year .

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  Tons of power 5.6 v8 Hemi Killer - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By m4ck - September 16 - 9:13 am

  I have owned Dodge, Ford, and Chevy trucks and this Titan is the best truck I have owned to this day. Most powerful fun to drive vehicle I have ever had. Great for working or playing. Tows like a big dog and more interior room than my Dodge Ram Quadcab had. Very sporty truck.

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  Great city truck! - 2011 Nissan Titan
  By wgrow - September 10 - 11:33 pm

  This is what I would call a great city truck. The interior features are comfortable and amazing and it has good capacity for doing small hauls. Plenty of acceleration but unfortunately eats gas like it was starving. I havent had a single problem with the truck in 11 months since purchase, but I do not do a lot of heavy duty work with it. Most of the time I am hauling a trailer with Lawn equipment or similar light items over short distances.

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  wrath of the titans!!! - 2012 Nissan Titan
  By kirkallen5150 - September 3 - 12:35 am

  I just love my Titan, 2012 PRO-4X Galaxy Black CC all the bells and whistles. This is my second Titan. The truck is dependable, reliable, and to mention a good looking truck. yeah Nissan has not changed the body style in awhile. Who really cares, they probably was testing out to see who there "reliable customers" are for such an outstanding truck. And there is no truck or "vehicle" out there that is perfect! But my belief is that Nissan knows a few things about vehicles and know what they are doing. If you are reading this please believe me you will be very please once you test drive one, because after you test drive it you will take it home.

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  The Perfect Year of the TITAN - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By BRACEYOSELF777 - September 2 - 6:40 pm

  I purchased the 2006 base XE model TITAN with the Big Tow package. By far, this truck has had no problems. The previous years-like 04 rotor warping, or first year bugs- were not found in this truck. 27,000 miles and counting, this truck has had zero problems! The acceleration, handling, and reliability show that Nissan did their homework on this truck and broke the barrier of the 1/2 ton rut the Big Three have traditionally made. Styling keeps the truck distinct, 5 speed tranny knows which gear to shift to, the 5.6L V8 with its underrated 305hp gives a Hemi a kick in the pants, and the simplicity inside the truck doesnt make the truck boring-but not over done.