The 2004 Nissan Titan didn't just win this test, it ran away with it. Such a result might seem like an improbable upset, but the numbers speak for themselves. It cleaned up at the test track, had the second lowest sticker price, offered the most desirable features and was every editor's number-one recommended pick. This wasn't the case of an upstart contender putting together a few key assets to slip into first place. No, this was the story of a truck that was built to beat the domestics at their own game and succeeded.

To see how the Nissan Titan pulled off the win, look no further than its performance at the test track. Truck owners love to talk numbers and the truck turned in top results in nearly every category. Its 0-to-60-mph time of 7.7 seconds was a full half second ahead of the second-place Dodge Ram, and when it was loaded down with a 6,000-pound trailer and three passengers, it extended its lead over the Ram to nearly three seconds (16.8 vs. 19.5). Test notes revealed that the Nissan Titan got off the line faster than every other truck in the test, unloaded or not, and maintained a strong, virtually uninterrupted pull thanks to seamless shifts from its five-speed gearbox.

Speed against the clock is one thing, but real-world performance is another, and the Nissan didn't disappoint there, either. With the trailer hooked up and the same full load of passengers on board, it powered its way up a 7 percent grade faster than every other truck except the Dodge (the Ram managed a slightly higher top speed up the same pass). When there isn't three tons of trailer slowing it down, the Nissan Titan literally tears around city streets with a level of speed and sound matched only by the Ram's equally powerful Hemi engine. One editor summed up the Titan's burly character with this simple observation: "After years of driving trucks designed to feel like cars, the Titan reminds you of what a real truck is supposed to feel like."

The Titan proved to be equally adept where there were no streets, as it was generally regarded as the most capable truck in the dirt as well. Not only did its heavy-duty shocks and oversized tires do a great job of keeping the big truck on track, but it also showed more subtle capabilities like manual gear selection for the automatic transmission and ultralow transfer case gears that slowed it to a crawl even on the steepest descents. Our early-production truck didn't have it, but the Titan will also add a push-button rear differential locker to its off-road repertoire later in the model year. Four-wheel enthusiasts should also note that while Nissan offers its off-road package on all trim levels of the Titan, both Dodge and Ford force you into the higher-line crew cab models before it's even an option.

As rough and tough as the Nissan Titan may be on the outside, it has all the comfort and convenience features you would expect on the inside along with enough space to fit up to six adults with ease. The bench seat up front is wide and flat but still comfortable, while the rear seats won top honors by offering outstanding leg- and headroom along with a relaxed seat back angle and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. Interior storage is another strongpoint as it features a massive center console with adjustable compartments and a 12-volt power point, five overhead storage bins and sizable door pockets. Should you need to carry bulkier cargo inside, the Titan's rear seats flip up to reveal a flat, unobstructed load floor that swallows bigger items without a hitch.

The pickup also scored big when it came to feature content, as it offers several unique options that we considered more than just gimmicks. On the safety side, the Nissan Titan was the only truck in the test with electronic stability control and, although our truck wasn't equipped with them, side and head curtain airbags are also an option. We also liked the fact that the Nissan had standard one-touch up and down front windows for both the driver and front passenger, as well as power-adjustable pedals that help shorter drivers find a comfortable seating position.

On the practical side, the Titan's optional utility package puts together a spray-in bedliner, adjustable tie-down points and a lighted tailgate area, among other things, to give it a level of functionality you can't get on the competition. The spray-in bedliner not only looks better than your typical plastic drop-in job, it also has a non-slip surface and will never trap water underneath the surface that might lead to rust. Why it has taken so long for adjustable tie-down points to make their way into trucks is beyond us, but Nissan did it right with heavy-duty anchors that are easy to adjust without tools. Tailgate lighting is another useful feature we thought we would see sooner. Traditional cargo lights at the top of the cab are nice, but ask anyone who has fumbled with cargo on the tailgate at night and they'll tell you that a dinky light six feet away doesn't help much. The small lights integrated into the bed where the tailgate latches puts light right where you really need it. As if all that wasn't enough, there's also a 12-volt power point on the inside of the bed and a lockable exterior storage box, too.

Such overachievement pretty much sums up the Nissan Titan. The company knew that in order to get traditional domestic buyers to even consider its truck it had to be more than just competitive, it had to be better. After back-to-back testing, there's no doubt that the 2004 Nissan Titan often exceeds its peers when it comes to delivering big truck power, real-world capability and everyday comfort. It may not have traditional looks, 17 different trim levels or a long-standing heritage as an American icon, but if you're looking for the most capable half-ton pickup on the market, the Nissan Titan is your truck.

Second Opinions:

Editor in Chief Karl Brauer says:
If someone had told me five years ago that Nissan would be offering a fully competitive full-size truck in 2004, I wouldn't have believed them. If they had also said I'd like the truck more than the contemporary Ford, Chevy or Dodge offerings, I would have called the men with ink blots and straight jackets. But here it is 2004, and Nissan's Titan is the Edmunds.com Most Wanted Full-Size Truck, and the truck I would spend my own money on.

How has the company that many experts were writing off five years ago managed to beat the domestics at "their" own game? Simple. It created a full-size truck with class-leading power, features, comfort and ride quality. The Titan was the quickest truck in our test, even when towing a trailer. The true truck guys out there may wonder how this import upstart can beat the Ford when the F-150 has a higher tow rating. But as we all know, tow ratings are like horsepower figures — they make for great bragging rights but what really matters is how well the vehicle performs in real-world testing. The F-150's higher tow rating didn't stop the Titan from cleaning the Ford's clock when it was time to pull 6,000 pounds through the quarter-mile and up a steep highway pass.

Ride quality and interior design are also a strong point in the Ford (and Dodge), but the Nissan is right there in both areas while trumping the Ram and F-150 with cool features like a spray-in bedliner, doors that open 180 degrees (on the extended cab), available side airbags and excellent interior (and exterior) storage compartments. If the Ford were lighter and/or more powerful, or if the Dodge had a better rear seat and some of the Nissan's cool features, it would be a much tighter race; but the Ford isn't light or fast, and the Dodge has a weak rear seat and too few innovations.

Watch out, Big Three, the imports are turning their sights on the truck market….

Road Test Editor Brian Moody says:
This is a really great truck. The Titan is not only great for a first effort, but it is just plain terrific overall. I'm starting to warm up to the style, but it's still not my favorite-looking truck. The interior is nice and well laid-out. There are quality materials throughout and seats are super comfy, but there's still too much hard plastic for me.

As far as power is concerned, the Dodge and Nissan feel really great off the line. Nissan has done its homework with this truck and the result is a really great truck that can easily run with the big names like Ford and Chevy. I love the exhaust note — it could get tiring on a long trip, but the engine sounds so good.

The interior is remarkably quiet, and the ride quality is just between the stiff Dodge and the more refined Ford. I like this truck and the F-150 about the same, but I would probably go with the Nissan thanks to the engine and huge backseat.