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:

• 

  2009 Nissan Titan - JUNK!!!! - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By freddock - September 2 - 10:39 am

  This is a horrible truck. It is pretty to look at but not built very well. At just 117K miles it needs an all new rear end due to a known problem that Nissan is aware of but does nothing about. The pumpkin on the rear axle heats up and destroys the gears inside. A $4000 repair on a three yr old truck. They apparently made the truck look nice but didnt care what they were putting under the hood. Run dont walk away from this one! Go for something reliable like Ford. I would never buy or recommend a Nissan ever again. This is just an expensive piece of junk.

• 

  2005 Se king cab: Glad i bought it - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By M Henley - August 31 - 5:26 pm

  Cant say enough about this vehicle. Have owned both Chevy and Ford trucks and after owning it for just one month, its head and shoulders above both. It has pleanty of power, interior room and a ride thats smooth as silk. I have the King Cab version ( extended cab) and the interior room and seat comfort were put to the test recently. Two 17 year olds, both 6 feet tall, in the back seat for 3 hours each way. The guys said the seating was ok, but 3 hours was the limit for the back seat. Those 3 hours were pure enjoyment for the driver. Great drivers seat (captain), driving position and very smooth ride.

• 

  best overall pickup - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By kenneth dominy - August 31 - 3:06 am

  Awesome power, good comfort, great features, most bang for the buck. The Titan has the most usable power of any full size pickup and rivals Toyota for best quality. Gets about two miles more per gallon than Ford or Dodge. Much more power than Toyota, and just a better truck in design than Chevy. Ive been amazed at some of the simple things in its design, like the oil filter area. Had vehicles in the past disigned for oil drainage here, this is the only one that works. Great storage and obviously the most interior room of all.

• 

  Maybe it wont happen to you? - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By raj - August 25 - 11:56 am

  My truck had been into the dealership 6 times and out of service almost 60 days before Nissan purchased it back-- it was all for little things (stereo, tire pressure monitoring system, auto up/down window controlls). Overall I think the vehicle is well designed but build quality falls off when you get into the more fancy setups (mine had navigation, dvd, sunroof, everything). You can beat the price in the base models but Nissan just doesnt know how to build a truck yet. Id take another look in a few years but for now Toyota or Ford dominate.

• 

  The verry best - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jerry C. - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I have been waiting for a truck to have all of the awsome things that is offered by the titan

• 

  I couldnt be happier - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By hwwaaahhhhh - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This truck is all that and more. I cant believe i wasted all that time test driving the Fords and Dodges. Now, im comfortably looking at them in my rear view window.

• 

  Theres A New Sheriff InTown! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Black Label - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This Bad Boy is a Beast! Ihave been a GM lover for 25yrs+.But this time i gave every full size truck a chance! Nothing out there impressed me as much as this TITAN! To me it feels like a sports car/caddy with a big ass truck wrapped around them!! Dont go buy your old favorite without a least one test drive of the new KING of Full sizers!! Finest Truck ive ever driven bar none,Just touch that gas pedal and go from there.Though you may have trouble keeping the big GRIN off your face Good Luck!!!!!!!!

• 

  So much for American know-how - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By bryan c - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Test drove every full-size truck, and the Titan blew them all away. This truck slaps every American made truck up-side the head. More power, an eye- catching exterior, and so much interior storage I need to go buy more stuff. With the utili-trac bed system, no load goes unsecured. The console controls can be easily used even when wearing heavy work gloves. Could use better gas mileage, but hey, its a truck!

• 

  Awesome truck by Nissan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Keri-Ann - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This truck is awesome! I love everything about it! It is so big with lots of room.

• 

  my truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By brandon d - August 14 - 10:00 am

  im a first time owner of nissan from three gmc truck to a tittan. i must say the way this truck handles is so much more like a sudan. also has the power and room of a suv. my complaint is no automatic running lights and the fuel light is a little to far to the side (out of site) other than that im a new nissan fan.