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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  Truck of Trucks - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Nissan for Life - September 26 - 11:00 am

  This is the best truck I have ever owned. Never a problem. 41000 so far with nothing more than tires and oil. Passing 2 mini-vans and a rig on a two lane road all at the same time is not a concern. I haul 2-3 dirtbikes all the time, love the utility bed. I have also towed a couple of 6000+ lb travel trailers with dirtbikes and firewood at 75 mph. This truck hauls with plenty of power. A little wide for off-roading(if you like your paint), but it will go almost anywhere. I rated fuel mileage high because this is a truck with power, it takes fuel to make 6000 lbs go 80 mph. Driving the Titan is very comfortable. The captains chairs feel like a Lazyboy. I have had 3 other Nissan trucks and a Z.

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  Fun and Practical - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By John - September 23 - 9:00 pm

  When local Chevy dealers would not work with me to get the Silverado with the equipment I wanted, I looked at the other vehicles available. The Titan was a vehicle I had read reviews about and knew to be very well rated but until I drove one, I did not appreciate all it had to offer. I have owned the truck for about 13 months and am completely satisfied with the ride, comfort, power and payload the vehicle has. I regularly get compliments on the color, Canteen, and the overall appearance of the truck. I have bought about 20 new vehicles over several years and this is the first that I have been totally satisfied with after the first year. I would recommend this truck to all.

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  2004 Nissan Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Hpinut - September 18 - 12:56 pm

  I tow a 7000 lb trailer every weekend, pulls great. The only beef I have is the gas mileage - its 13 mpg :( - but for the power I can live with it! Whether Im going to work or going to race, the truck starts everytime, always gets me home, what more can I ask for!

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  fun - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By weislouie - September 18 - 11:23 am

  i own a drywall business and bought this truck for work. it will do the trick, but is much too nice for work.

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  A Nissan disappointment - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Ron - September 15 - 2:53 pm

  Problems since day one. Windows, door handles, horn, plastic body parts and more are poorly designed and dont function properly to this date 1 1/2 years later. Major drive train problem that Nissan cant or refuses to fix. Nissan denies there even is a problem. Svc mgr confirmed vibration at mid speed range. A warrantee is only as good as the issuer. In this case, no good. My advice, buy another make of truck.

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  Fresh design - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By nodak08 - September 14 - 3:43 pm

  The new design is very fresh and simple. The ride is excellent. I narrowed my choice down to two makes, the tundra or the titan. I picked the titan because for the dollar I got more features for my dollar. I felt the ride in both was superior to the chevy, ford, or dodge.

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  Tough but Fragile - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By James - September 9 - 10:00 am

  As much as I love my Titan, my comfort has been a bit shattered. The service advisers at the dealership are great but they have been unable to figure out the reason for my constant radiator failures. I am currently on number 3. The radiator is definitely of poor design, but as long as it remains under the extended warranty Ill continue to bring it in. This truck has great potential.

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  Love My TITAN - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Jimmy Thigpen - September 5 - 9:36 pm

  I looked at all the full sized trucks for six months and decided on the Titan. This is by far the best truck I have had the pleasure of owning. I used to be a brickmason and have owned Dodge, Chevy (GMC) and Ford. This truck more than meets all my expections. I tried out Toyota, Chevy, Ford and Dodge and found that for the money you cant beat the Titan. I love smoking the Hemi Dodges at the red lights. I will probably never own anything but a Nissan.

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  Bad trade in value/bad gas mileage - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Julian Martinez - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought 2008 Titan new paid $ 28,000 for it 1 1/2 yrs later with only 14,000 miles I tried to trade it in for a new truck they offered me $ 13,200 trade in,what an insult. I wish they would have told me this when I purchased the truck. Wish they would have said when you come back to trade your truck in you will get a big screwing.Truck depreciated $14,800 in 1 1/2 yrs wow. Worst fuel mileage ever. Bad resale/trade in value. Wish I could talk to a Nisan representative.

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  Best truck for the money - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By jeepster - September 1 - 2:43 pm

  This is my second titan and this one is just as good as the first. After looking at the competitors, no truck offers the combination of size, value, and performance that the Nissan has. As with my first Titan I have had 0 problems so far.