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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  Titan04 - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By 7forever - July 15 - 2:00 am

  good,good,good, really good, good ,good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good

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  Nissan Titanic - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Earths Champ - July 8 - 5:36 pm

  Bought this truck 2 months later while driving to Missouri hit luggage off someones truck.RIPPED OUT THE DRIVE TRAIN,$2400 damage! Then while driving in FL got stuck in mud a FORD RANGER pulled me out. How EMBARRASSING is that? Plus horrible resale value 5 month old truck paid 27 now worth 18??? Dont get me wrong it tows great and is a great truck when not in the shop with parts on back order.

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  Love It! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By gdgtdad - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Tons of room. I am 65" and have @ least 5" of leg room sitting behind driver seat W/it slid all the way back.Gas milage is averaging about 12- 13 but its a powerful truck I wasnt expecting 20MPG or better.I love the flip up rear seats.Being taller I do tend to be looking through the top tint of the windshield but its not that big a deal.I was suprised that I could not activate the interior lights by fully engaging the dimmer knob.You have to flip switches individually to make this happen. Also my dimmer switch seems extra sensitive and I find it difficult to maintain the dim setting for dash lights that I like.Had to replace center console in 1st month.

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  My first Nissan - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought the truck during a hail sale. Had my eye on it for at least 3 months but wouldnt jump on it. When the truck got hail damage, they knocked $4000 off, and I guess I couldnt say no. I have not been disappointed since. Sure, there are some small issues (interior material choices, not having all the options) but it doesnt detract from its drivability, or my comfort. The interior cab is so huge, I usually work remotely and can plug in a laptop, rest it on the front center console, and use my back seat as my office space. With room to stretch my legs and work comfortably, no passenger car has ever come so close. I am driving her into the dirt. And that says it all for me.

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  Second Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - May 31 - 5:30 am

  I bought a 2004 Titan S/E crew cab and loved it. I didnt use it in the winter. I live in Maine and cars rust fast up here. I left it in the garage for the winter. I sold it after 6 months because it wasnt getting used. I bought a 2005 Nissan Frontier in April of 2005. It was an L/E crew cab 4x4 and I liked it a lot. The problem...I owned a Titan before a Frontier! Like going from a trailer to a house! After 2 months, I traded the Frontier in for a 2005 Titan crew cab 4x4 S/E with tow package, Off road package and Preferred package. Now Im happy!!!

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  Titan Family, truck replaces minivan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Sunne - May 18 - 2:16 am

  Fun to drive, plenty of power and manueverabilty. Good backseat room, split front power bench makes 6 passengers possible. Rattle in front wheel plastic panels next to engine. Big power window in rear allows for passthrough easily. The rear warning system is a big help with backing up and hooking up trailers. This feature has prevented many potential collisions.

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  rattles and bad salesman - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Mario - May 1 - 12:36 pm

  I love this truck and am happy that I own it. But it would appear the quality of those who manufactured the vehicles was poor. Mechanically everything is sound. Though I have, on the inside, lots of clicks, rattles, poorly placed trim and many other complaints. Worse than that, my salesman was a snake in the grass. Not that I should have expected more from a car salesman, but he certainly threw a kink in the whole experience. It would be nice if the bed was a little longer, like 8 inches longer, but at 64 with the extra cab I cant really complain. Hauling a cord of wood is easy enough, but making it a 3/4 ton truck wouldve been nice. Know also that this truck dents very easily!

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  Great for the price - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Joe - April 30 - 9:43 pm

  Beside the bolts on the tie rodes not tightened resulting in a trip back to the dealership and the light always going on for the low tire pressure, I really like this truck. The gas mileage is about 11.5 mpg which I dont think could get any worse. But it is a truck and it is very user-friendly and the ride is great.

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  Goku - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Nissan Man - April 30 - 2:33 pm

  Truck runs great has lots of power and also handles very well foe a truck

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  Drove the hell out of it with no problem - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By U. Schacht - April 12 - 1:56 am

  I work in the oil patch driving in the worst conditions. This truck has been on back roads, winter ice roads and where there are no roads and NEVER let me down. I now have 140,000km worry free. The only problem I noticed is that when it gets to minus 40 degrees for some reason it accepts fuel only at a very slow rate. Still no squeaks or rattles like the north American products, great re-sale. The lease is up next Oct. and I will be getting another one.