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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  The Best Beast - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Phly Physher - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This truck is a beast! Wow, the power and handling put the Big 3 to shame. The 5-speed tranny shifts so smoothly I forget Im in a truck. My only complaints: bucket seats are not very supportive and lack good side bolsters, cheap interior plastic scratches very easily, no tire options yet available for the BFG Rugged Trails. Overall, the best truck value....

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  Titan Up - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By davebucyrus - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is only 2 weeks old with 1000 miles. You think you are driving a sports car , then you look back and see a pickup bed back there. Ours is a base model crew cab. Wish it had limited slip differential. Previous chevy owner, 6 since 1995. This Titan is awesome and as a bonus it is 3k cheaper than others. So far 15-16 mpg including a lot of hiway driving at 75- 85 mph

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  i love that truk its the best - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By samer - December 31 - 10:00 am

  im honda buyer but when i drove the titan its like you driving a dream its like no other its just great truck

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  this truck is worth checking out - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By utesman - December 31 - 10:00 am

  We went out to ford to buy a f150 but before we could buy it i wanted to go to nissan and check the titan out and man was i surprised not only was it cheaper then the compition but the pick up blew the ford away and the comfort is unbelievable if you are thinking of getting a truck soon go check this out it is worth taking a couple of minutes to test. thank you nissan for a awsome truck 2nd to none.

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  Its a real truck! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jim Spears - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Have 12K miles on it and am totaly satisfied. Gas milage equals the Avalanche I traded in, (14 to 19 mpg) Great preformance. Using a spinner on the stering wheel improves quick response in backing up with tralier, parking, and getting on it once in a while. Roters on front warped and the dealer put new ones on and havent had a problem since. Will recomend it to anyone.

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  Great Truck!! - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By kevin - December 25 - 9:26 am

  Very roomy inside, controls well laid out, seats very comfortable. Enough power to pull a house, puts my buddys Hemi Ram to shame. And the best part is that it is Made in the USA! Gets about the same gas mileage as the other full sized trucks (not too good) 13mpg around town 16 hwy.

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  please help me stop! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By ashby - December 19 - 5:30 pm

  The vehicle has been great except for the brake problems. i have had the brakes replaced 3 times and the rotors turned twice and replaced once in only 4000 miles. the rotors warp every 1000 miles it seems and even this new updated brake kit i just had installed is starting to fail. i wouldnt reccommend a titan to anyone until puts a entirely new barking system on the truck. it is a liability and a safety issue. nissan consumer service is real lousy too. i made my decision today to lemon law the truck through a lawyer.

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  TOW Vehicle - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By NYCrcPILOT - December 14 - 12:30 am

  mileage has been between 19 and 24 mpg on highways, city is low as expected. Very comfortable for long drives. Only 3000 miles on it.

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  Great Truck! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By libby - December 8 - 7:53 am

  I use it to tow a horse trailer and 2 horses around. I love it! It tows easily and I can bring a bunch of people with me to the horse shows because the interior is so spacious.

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  Bench Seat Collapse - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Steve Coleman - December 3 - 7:53 am

  I have a 2004 4WD SE with split bench seats with cloth interior. Looks like the 2005 suffers from the same seat issues. Whats with the sagging split bench driver and passenger seats. Im 210 lbs and the Maxima I traded in had awesome support in the seat. I feel like the seat is slowly collapsing on any trip over fifteen minutes. And the material starting to come apart at the decorative stitches. The tailgate pivot pin is loosening up and looks like it may work its way loose. Time to visit the dealer. And yes, Im soon going to be on my third brake job which means the new heavy duty ventilated rotors and hopefully dustfree brake pads. Otherwise the truck is great! Steve