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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  Simply amazing - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By jeff - May 17 - 5:03 pm

  Just bought this truck and love it. Plenty of power no need to slam on the gas a small nudge gives you all that you need. Surprisingly quick acceleration for such a large truck. The most comfortable seats that I have ever had in any automobile that I have owned.

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  Great Truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Dennis - May 14 - 12:40 am

  Great Power, very comfortable, smooth ride, gas mileage 14-15 town 17-18 highway. This truck is very under rated.

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  Best darn truck out there - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Rolie - May 8 - 8:10 am

  Wow, talk about a nice truck...my 2005 Nissan Titan is rock solid and fun to drive. I havent pulled my boat yet, but that 9,500 lb towing capacity will make the job effortless. The limited slip 4WD got me around in the last snow storm just fine, thank you. And the looks I get....people stop me everywhere I go and make small talk about it....quite a looker too. My truck is bright red.

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  Lovin it every day - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By clarence - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive only owned it three weeks. Have 1500 miles on it. I love every minute in it. Its comfortable,quiet, has really positve handling,and enough power and pep to delight anyone unless they happen to be Big Daddy Don Garlits (sp). I average 15 mpg clutzing around town and back and forth to work. Took a 200 mile trip last weekend on state highways and got 17mpg. Im sure on a trip on interstate at steady speeds it will easily get the advertized 19mpg or better. A really great vehicle with plenty of room for me and my five gandkids. Bob

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  Really nice full size, I shopped a lot.. - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Doug in Dallas - April 23 - 7:46 am

  I have had mine a while now and am still very,very pleased. For the money, fact that it is a truck and other things it is amazing. I use it as transportation for 4-5 adults in comfort. It pulls over 9k lbs (big tow pkg) and has so many really nice features. Good power and torque, gas milage is 14-15 so far (hey its a V8 full size I knew that). I sold a car and a truck and am filling both roles with this and it is doing great. Truly excellent room in the back and great functionality. Compared to Ford F150 (05), chevy 1500 and Avalanche it is no contest. Tundra is nice but not as well thought out and is 7/8th size. Not as roomy or feature equiped. I am not a Dodge fan so did not consider.

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  Great Truck! - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Tigger - April 22 - 6:53 pm

  This is a great truck, It handles almost like a car, has power at every RPM and hauls a car trailer with ease. At 75 mph it was only turning 2800 rpm and I averaged 13 mpg hauling close to 7000 lbs over 700 miles.

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  titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By rich - April 22 - 3:50 pm

  have 22k miles on the truck now and besides having the brakes replaced 2 times no problems. The last brake job was the upgrade and have had no problems so far. Truck tows a 30 7000 pound travel trailer great. I love the truck and would change a thing.

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  Satisfied Titan Owner - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Luvthistruck - April 22 - 3:16 am

  Prior to buying the Titan I drove all of the Big 3 truck manufacturers. The Titan is by far the best value and performing half ton pickup. I do not have the tow package as I felt a 7500 lb capacity is more than enough. I use the vehicle for recreational use and on our first trip we found the vehicle extremely comfortable with a great ride. Around 20 mpg on the highway too!

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  dont like at all - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By F150 - April 20 - 7:50 am

  I got a Titan January, 2007.i got one because my Chevy 1500 was getting old.The day after i got it cylinders werent working. then a week after that i was at walmart the motor would not start.This is the third time that i got new bulbs for the headlights.this is a bad truck.My wife and me thought it was a good truck but its not.I am planing on getting a Ford F150

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  Winner - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Majestic - April 18 - 8:46 am

  A great daily driver with the ability to become the weekend toy hauler as well. Power seems never ending, great looking exterior with very functional interior. The cab seems almost as big as prior truck, F250 crew, but the drivability is much easier. Ive seen complaints on cloth interior but it met my expectations. Cant complain about mpg, I get what I expected - around 15, mixed (60 hwy, 40 city). Tempting to use the gas pedal for fun though!