more about this model
Full-size pickup trucks are about as all-American as baseball and apple pie, but come December that's all going to change. That's when Nissan, a Japanese car and truck manufacturer, will begin sales of the Titan, a true full-size pickup designed to go head-to-head with the domestic stalwarts from GM, Ford and Dodge.
Although another Japanese car builder, Toyota, has marketed its Tundra "full-size" truck for several years now, it's never been considered a true full-size due to its slightly smaller dimensions and rather tame V8. But with the Titan, there's no denying that it's a true full-size in every way.
Two models will be offered: a half-ton extended cab (called King Cab) with a pair of reverse opening rear access doors and a 6-foot-6-inch bed, and a half-ton crew cab with full-size front-hinged rear doors and a 5-foot-6-inch bed. Both are sized within a few inches of their domestic counterparts and both will be available with either two- or four-wheel drive.
The standard drivetrain is a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission. A smaller V6 power plant and a heavy-duty diesel for a 3/4-ton model are being studied for future production, but for now the gas V8 is the only choice. Final specs have yet to be released, but initial numbers rate the aluminum block Endurance V8 at over 300 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. Compare those numbers to any of the domestics' V8s and it's clear that the Titan stacks up favorably in both categories.
We had a chance to drive a prototype King Cab version of the Titan alongside its main competitors from GM, Ford, Dodge and Toyota to see just how well its drivetrain really stacks up. We didn't have any high-tech test equipment, but based on our initial seat-of-the-pants observation, the Titan should have no trouble impressing even the most die-hard domestic truck buyers.
Anyone who knows big trucks knows that the biggest news in engines as of late has been the introduction of Dodge's 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Rated at 345 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque, it's the top of the heap when it comes to high-powered half-tons. After driving both the Hemi-equipped Dodge and the Titan back to back, however, you would be hard-pressed to tell which one was the more powerful vehicle. The Titan's V8 produces 90 percent of its peak torque at just 2,500 rpm, giving it an off-the-line punch that was every bit at strong as the vaunted Hemi. Although no official acceleration figures were quoted, the Titan's chief product specialist, Larry Dominique, said he's confident that the Titan will post 0-to-60 times comparable to Hemi-equipped Rams.
The Titan's swift acceleration is due to more than just raw horsepower, however, as its standard five-speed automatic uses its extra gear ratio to keep the engine right in the heart of its power band. Gear changes are smooth and sharply executed; although, those used to the truly neck-snapping downshifts of GM's big trucks might be a little disappointed by the Titan's smoother transitions, as they tend to mask how much power is really getting to the ground.
Such a smooth power delivery was no accident, however, as Nissan's engineers took advantage of the new V8's electronic throttle control to fine-tune the power delivery to produce a more linear acceleration feel. This, and a special tow/haul mode that reduces gear hunting under heavy loads, should make the Titan a fine tow vehicle. It boasts a maximum tow rating of 9,400 pounds, just 100 pounds shy of Ford's 2004 F-150's max rating. For those who intend to tow on a regular basis, there is an optional tow package that adds a higher-capacity cooling system, transmission temperature gauge, 3.35 rear axle ratio, 7-pin wiring harness, trailer brake prewiring and a stability control system.
The Titan may use a high-tech engine and transmission to get it moving, but the underlying suspension is of a more traditional design. Up front, there are double wishbone control arms and coil springs, while the rear uses a straight axle and leaf springs. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard across the board, while standard 17-inch wheels and tires provide the final connection to the road.
After several runs over varying types of terrain, it's clear that the Titan will offer one of the most tightly controlled rides in the segment. Much of the credit for the truck's precise ride quality goes to the fully boxed frame and rack-and-pinion steering. The ride is definitely not pillowy soft, but there's plenty of give to soak up rough roads. We also noticed that, unlike most of its competition, the Titan's steering has some heft to it for better road feel. Orth Hedrick, one of the lead product planners on the Titan project, said that at various times during development they had to choose whether to go for slightly better handling or a softer ride — they went for the handling. "We wanted this truck to drive smaller than it really is."
Certain elements of the Titan's cabin design reinforce that smaller truck feel. The instrument panel is more compact than most big trucks despite the fact that it still has all the necessary gauges you would expect. The console-mounted shifter of our prototype test truck was easy to reach and its gated shifter makes finding individual gears considerably easier than traditional column shifters. This setup will be reserved for uplevel models, while the base model will come standard with a bench seat and a column shift.
Interior room is generous, and it's obvious that plenty of research went into assuring that its design emphasizes functionality above all else. The center console features no less than four cupholders, a storage bin large enough to hang file folders for those who use their truck as a mobile office and external side bins perfectly sized for stray cell phones.
We didn't have a chance to try out the King Cab's rear seats but a brief trip in the rear quarters of the crew cab model revealed a surprising amount of room in back. We didn't exactly get out the measuring tape, but head-, leg- and shoulder room were all exceptional for a crew cab truck.
There will be three trim levels available on either the King Cab or crew cab: base XE, midlevel SE and top-of-the-line LE. Base models will come well-equipped with air conditioning, cruise control and a CD stereo. Moving up to the SE will add captain's chairs and the center console along with power windows, locks and mirrors and chrome trim for the exterior. Top-line LE models will add power-adjustable leather seats, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, tubular side steps and a utility package for the bed.
Like most full-size trucks, the Titan will offer a substantial options list. Some notable items include a DVD-based navigation system, side curtain airbags, a DVD rear entertainment system, a sunroof and the first ever factory-applied spray-in bedliner. Off-road enthusiasts will also be glad to know that the Titan will offer an off-road package that includes Rancho shocks, heavy-duty skid plates, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, an electronic rear locking differential and shorter rear differential gears.
Our short introductory drive gave us just a small sample of the Titan's full capabilities. We'll be conducting a more thorough test-drive in a few months that will cover both Titan models in more detail, but until then this is about as much as we could tell you.
It's obvious that Nissan has done its homework and built a legitimate competitor right out of the chute. It has the size, power and features to match up well against anything in its class. As Larry Dominique said at the end of our day with the Titan, "We built a truck that buyers in this segment simply can't ignore." We couldn't agree more.
2004 Nissan Titan Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2004 Nissan Titan and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2004 Titan featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2004 Nissan Titan and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2004 Titan 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2004 Titan.
Vehicle
4dr King Cab SE 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Review
I bought this used in November 14 for a decent deal. It only had 84K on it. It now has 88k and I feel confident all of the "First Gen" issues have been worked out (headers, rear axle vent fix, recalls, ect) Given the age I will need to change out some front bushing and shocks but other than that, it has been GREAT to have in the snowiest winter I've ever seen here in N.E. Wash it on dry days will keep it most of the rust at bay. Gas mileage is as expected for a 4x4, 12 city, 14-16 HWY.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2004 Nissan Titan
Edmunds Value
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Available Nissan Titan 2004 Submodel Types: Crew Cab, King Cab, Regular Cab
Available Trims: SV, S, SE, PRO-4X, Platinum Reserve, SL, LE, XE
Exterior Colors: Glacier White, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Cayenne Red, Gun Metallic, Galaxy Black, Smoke, Radiant Silver, Pearl White, Deep Blue Pearl, Blizzard, Red Alert, Galaxy, Red Brawn, Java Metallic, Navy Blue, White, Galaxy Black Metallic, Radiant Silver Metallic, Arctic Blue Metallic, Deep Water, Forged Copper, Graphite Blue, Navy Blue Metallic, Sedona, Smoke Metallic, Desert Stone, Granite, Majestic Blue, Solar Flare Yellow
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Charcoal cloth, Black/Brown leather, Graphite/Titanium, Black leather, Charcoal leather, Almond cloth, Beige leather, Charcoal II cloth, Steel cloth, Beige cloth, Graphite/Titanium cloth, Steel, Sand/Steel
Popular Features: Tire Pressure Warning, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Alarm, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, 6ft Bed, AWD/4WD, 10,000lb+ Towing Capacity, Aux Audio Inputs, Stability Control, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, Crew Cab, USB Inputs, Towing Hitch, Power Driver Seat, Parking sensors, Heated seats, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Navigation, Blind Spot Monitoring, Keyless Entry/Start, Back-up camera, Leather Seats, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Upgraded Headlights, Extended Cab, Remote Start, Post-collision safety system, 8ft Bed, Upgraded Stereo, Standard Cab, 360-degree camera, Cooled Seats, Upgraded Engine, 8000lb Towing Capacity, Sunroof/Moonroof, 6000lb Towing Capacity, Rear Entertainment System, 7ft Bed
Engine/Mechanics: 8 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
Drivetrains: four wheel drive, rear wheel drive
