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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  Size Makes a Difference! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Lance Kelley - January 13 - 10:00 am

  What a truck, everyone that has seen it loves it. A great truck with an SUV Flare. I compared Ford, Dodge, GMC, Chevy, and Toyota with the TITAN, nothing came close. Chris Son was great to deal with at Browns Sterling, VA Nissan.

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  Titanium - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By sdffs - January 13 - 10:00 am

  It is a pretty good vehicle lots of room and good to tow your boat

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  First year Titans - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Splatt - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Powerful, solid, rattle free, comfy, quick...just a few words to discribe the Titan. A great truck for everything from runs to the store to towing a 26 power boat. The tie down bed liner system is amazing, great thinking.

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  What a PAIN - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Tizan - January 11 - 9:00 pm

  Bought it new, after 3k miles brakes went out, dealer replaced 3 times. Diff seal leaked, rattles all over, key gets stuck in ignition, front window regulator went out, drive shaft rusted, oil pressure sensor went out, makes me wonder what happend to Nissan. I am so disappointed that I want to call get rid of this truck. I have a 90 300zx thats been more fun, and reliable then this truck, I will never buy another Nissan.

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  Death Wobble - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By voldog - January 11 - 2:36 pm

  It has a shake, wobble that is at times down right scary. Its always there but sometimes its light and sometimes it will shake the steering wheel out of your hands. I will never own another. Also, the front end shakes and shimmies when I hit a hole, like it was worn out and I have 16,000 miles on it. Im scared to take it on a trip. Ive owned Dodge, Ford, Chevy trucks and I would take any of them over this Titan.

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  love my titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By nissan titan - January 10 - 12:40 pm

  after owning a 1989 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 that I swore never to get rid of, even though I put in more money to maintain it as I did to purchase it, I moved to NH and decided that I needed a reliable vehicle to survive the elements. I now feel safer driving in the winter elements than I ever would have before and as an added bonus feel as if I am driving a luxury vehicle instead of a 4x4

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  Titan Crew Cab - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Scott - January 5 - 1:03 pm

  Traded in a Frontier Crew Cab on the Titan because I wanted more power and more interior room. The acceleration and handling of the Titan are great. Gas mileage is about what I would expect for a 5,300 pound truck. Ive only had the truck for five months and I only have about 2,300 miles on the truck so far but alot of that was in mud and snow. So far I havent had any problems with it. Personally I dont care for the loud exhaust noise - I dont need it to remind me that I have a 305 HP engine under the hood, but Ive gotten used to it. Overall its a great truck.

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  So Far So Good - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By TITAN - January 5 - 7:10 am

  Handles nimbly, almost like a car, no drifting. Very quiet and very smooth transmission. Excellent pick-up. I have owned 4 Toyotas and this is my first Nissan. Well see what happens in 200K miles, though others say 300K with Nissans is no problem. Much better looking than the 08 Tundra and more affordable for me. My advice would be to drive both over the weekend and corner them hard and over the tracks. I think youll like the handling of the Titan. I love mine.

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  2004 Nissan Problems - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Don Murphy - January 2 - 7:30 pm

  Trim. A few minor things but not too bad. The disc brakes on the front started vibrating at 5000 miles, have yet to take it in for that. Vibration in 4WD...normal?

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  Love it! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Shawacky - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive never owned a truck before. I almost bought the Tundra, but glad I didnt. After shopping around, I believe the Titan is by far the best deal. I walked out of the dealership paying only $31k and some change and the only options I didnt get were the DVD and NAV. The only thing Ive hauled is the family so far and there was plenty of room for the five of us. The wife loves driving it also. I let her drive it for a week while her sister was in town. She called me at work and said she loved my truck. Thank goodness she still called it my truck :-)