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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  Best bang for the buck - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Best bang for buck - August 20 - 12:56 pm

  Ive had my 2010 Titan for about a month now. This truck is terrific, great power, smooth ride, precise steering. I test drove the big 3, and there was no comparison. Chevy, Dodge and Ford have similar power, but the Titan handles better and just feels more agile.

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  Overall an excellent truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By tracktech - August 10 - 2:43 pm

  Overall, I have been very satisfied with my 2006 Majestic Blue Crew Cab 4WD Nissan Titan LE. I have had to bring it back to the dealer for a few things covered under warranty, but nothing major. Also, when installing aftermarket products, there is ABSOLUTELY no room in the engine compartment for anything additional. The cab is unbelievably spacious and comfortable, and the 5.6 Liter 8 is very bold. Sometimes a little too loose in the rear end though. I used to want my first truck to be Ford or Chevy, but after the release of the Titan I couldnt pass it up, and Im glad I didnt.

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  Great but not perfect - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By djfultoz - August 9 - 5:16 pm

  Love to drive my Titan. Lots of performance and sounds great. Room for the family. Good value for the money. Had problems with the gas gauge and interior lights. The gas gauge problem was with the sending unit in the gas tank. The part was on back order and took 3 weeks to repair as I drove a Sentra rental provided by the dealer. Like the adjustable pedals and power drivers seat.....easy to get good driving position. I get a so-so 16 to 18 mpg without the big tow pkg or 4 wheel- drive. Overall, this is a very nice truck and like it MUCH more than my former 2001 Tundra.

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  Good Purchase - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Dave - August 7 - 5:26 pm

  I love my Nissan Titan! And, with the poor economy, I got it for a great price. Ive had my Titan for almost a year & have no rattles or other noises. The crew cab is very roomy. Dont believe everything you read or hear about the mileage. I have a tow package & 4WD, but get 19-20 MPG if I keep it at 65 MPH on the freeway. I pulled a lightly loaded trailer on the freeway and got 16 MPG.

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  Horrible fuel mileage - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By catiebear - August 5 - 11:06 am

  I own a 2007 Nissan titan with close to 100,000 kms on it now. I bought it at 70,000 kms to replace a honda ridgeline that could not pull my 4,500 empty trailer. In the three years that I have owned the truck I must say it has been pretty good. It will start faithfully in anything warmer than -17 degrees and is quite reliable. Unfortunately, the steering is horrible and it feels like I am experiencing a death wobble when I drive it over bumps and cracks in the road. I have taken it in to Nissan a number of times only for them to say that there was either too much or too little tire pressure. They did not find problems until my son who is a mechanic brought the issues to their attention.

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  Great Truck - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By Jzlildevil - August 5 - 6:13 am

  Best truck on the market in its class for sure. I had one issue with a tranny line, dealer fixed I am happy. Tons of power. Does great in the snow and mud. I will be a nissan owner for life. It really does drive like a dream.

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  A little disappointed with this truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By stonemedal - August 2 - 10:00 am

  The truck looks nice, rides nice, but two things are driving me crazy.....when the A/C is on low it sounds like someone is breathing with an iron lung under my dashboard. The second thing, when driving at 55, the exhaust note is annoying, too loud and constant. I wonder if anyone out there is experiencing that?

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  Best well designed truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By ROBERT HODGSON - July 31 - 5:30 pm

  I have 10,000 miles on my titan se 4x4 and everything Nissan says is so true. It is the best truck I ever owned,and I owned many,I get 20 miles per gallon highway and city 16.5. I loaded this truck up with so much fire place wood and it did not even sag nor did it even know it had such a heavy load to carry. Plenty of power to spare.Nissan made an outstanding truck.

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  Titan Axle seal leak - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Ken - July 25 - 9:03 pm

  I bought this Titan new in 2005. I do less than 10,000 miles a year. At around 48,000 miles both rear axle seals started leaking. This repair costs over $1000. I have never done any towing, I dont have the towing package. warranty poot, I would not buy another Nissan product. If there is anyone out there looking to buy a Titan, dont do it. Nissan needs to have a recall on the axle seals.

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  Lots of Power - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By RHW - July 21 - 9:10 pm

  Have used this truck for business purposes since I bought it new 7 months ago. I use it to pull a tandem axle trailer weight approx. 6K pounds 90% of the time. The truck pulls this trailer flawlessly! No complaints at all. The crew cab w/ long bed allows me to take the family along with tools, trailer, and a good size load with no worries thus far. Fuel mileage is to be expected for a truck of this size and power, but well worth it. My only semi complaint is that the exhaust noise occasionally wears on me by the end of the day. It is a sharp looking truck, plenty of space, comfortable, and can be used as an office on wheels. As a contractor, I am completely satisfied with this truck thus far