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:

• 

  WOW!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Biggun - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned several trucks and have never been really "Brand Loyal". I usually go with the best bang for my buck! But that may change unless the Ford, GM and Dodge designers do alot of work because none of them are even close to this truck!!! Fit and Finish are head and shoulders above the rest. Im sure by now that everyone has heard the reviews of the drive train! Nissian hit the first pitch out of the park with this one!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Good Choice - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Wooten - March 3 - 10:00 am

  The Titan is an excellent choice for an average truck user. The reliability rating is based on 4 months so this is not an adequate assessment. I enjoy the performance, cab size (crew cab), and the fact that my truck doesnt not look like ever other truck on the road.

• 

  Nissan Rules! - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Ken - February 4 - 12:23 pm

  This is the 2nd Nissan Titan that I have owned, the other one being an 04 LE 2WD. Now I purchased an 07 LE 4WD ,they are by far the best trucks. I also own an 06 GMC Sierra 4wd and that is like a toy compared to the Titan. Rides like a Caddy and pulls like a 1 ton truck. Check this truck out before you make a decision on any other truck you will not be disappointed.

• 

  THE best pickup I have ever owned - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By teckytwo - February 2 - 5:30 pm

  I have owned Chevy, Ford, Dodge and Jeep pickups and I tried them all again before buying my Titan. I am getting older so I like my comfort and this pu is very comfortable and my wife feels safe in it. After a really bad accident in a half size pu I decided once again for a full size. I knew it would not have good mileage but this truck is terrific, no mechanical issues, looks great, runs fantastic and the Nissan maintenance is great. Brakes and tires wear out so no issues for me there. It tows like a dream only drawback is the front columns on either side of windshield takes some getting used to looking around it. No complaints, wish I had enough miles on it to justify buying another:o)

• 

  Nissan did there homework.... - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Derek - February 2 - 5:03 am

  I just traded in a 2002 Tundra and had a Ford before that. This truck is awesome. The motor trans combo is perfect for a half ton truck. Everything is where it should be in my mind. The cargo system works great. I have towed a 3500 lb trailer over a thousand miles and the truck performed flawlessly. Great truck overall

• 

  awesome titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By chargerfan - January 31 - 10:00 am

  ive had the truck almost a month now and it has surpassed all my expectations.

• 

  great fun - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ladytx - January 31 - 10:00 am

  It drives and handles great. It has plenty of performance. The interior is very comfortable. It is easy to load items in and out of it.

• 

  New Tow vehicle is great - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By TheBman - January 31 - 10:00 am

  $500 over rebate was finally obtained, and the truck is great. I read reviews about the major contenders, and you wont be sorry with the Nissan. My only disappointent is towing an open car trailer gets me around 9.5 mpg. Otherwise, its sporty, fast, comfortable, fairly good on gas when not towing, nice list of features and amenities. When I do tow, you hardly know there is a trailer back there, its that solid. Ive test driven the competition, and Im much more satisfied with this truck than any other.

• 

  Close to Perfect Truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By LMH - January 28 - 6:26 pm

  Simply stated, the Titan towers above the others. I have never owned a Japanese car. I have driven Chevy and Ford trucks for decades. I qualify for the Ford A-plan, which would have made an F-150 thousands less. The Titan has more power, better fuel economy, more room, nicer styling, better comfort, and more functionality than all of the competition. My prior truck, an F-150 V-6, would average about 14 MPG regardless of where I drove. I just returned from a 500 mile weekend trip with plenty of foothills, stop-and-go, and freeway driving; 3/4 tank for the whole trip with 18.55 MPG... WOW! I did a lot of research before buying. I believe the Titan is the most well- tought-out truck ever built!

• 

  New Titan vs Old Titan - 2017 Nissan Titan
  By Rooster - January 24 - 8:57 pm

  I had the older version Titan so I tried for the newer version Titan. 6 months in these are my opinions. At first I thought exterior looks were hands down Old Titan but after driving it I give the new bold, big look a tick under the Old Titan. Interior wise hands down goes to the New Titan. Spacious, lots of storage, comfortable all the way around, materials are great, layout is great just flows with you. Electronic wise the New Titan is upgraded but still has some of the bluetooth glitches occasionally and USB work great if you have an iPod or iPhone. But still has the Rockford Fosgate system that is way better than the Old Titan. I did have to replace front sonar sensor only after 2 months of owning. So I call it a draw. Power wise the new V8 dusts the old V8 and I thought that was a strong motor. The 7 speed tranny takes a little getting use to. Towing is off the chain and 4WD is a beast. Reality hurts when it comes to MPG, but my Old titan wasnt much better. I drive a mixed run of city and hwy and typically every tank of gas is 16.5 to 17.2 depending on if I drive more than the other. I have taken it on multiple road trips and it is by far a better ride, and power than the Old Titan. My only serious grip is that the New Titan does not turn sharp and is awkward in tight spaces where as my Old Titan never had these issues. Overall I recommend it over Tundra, Ram for sure. Just a simple test drive puts it over these two easy. I have driven a 2017 F150 and Silverado 4WD, in my opinion, Titan is very comparable to the F150, maybe a tick above in some cases but a tick below in others, but both of these fall a little short of the Silverado, which right now is top gun in this class. My deal came to financing, in which Nissan had the upper hand. It really is an opinion based, drive them, go from there. The New Titan has definetly come along way.