The Titan has a standard V8 engine, a comfortable cabin and enough towing capacity for most jobs. It's a perfectly competent full-size light-duty pickup truck. Otherwise, the Titan fails to impress. It doesn't have enough personality to make up for the lack of choice in powertrains, features and body styles that rivals offer. The Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are better trucks overall.
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.
Pros
Comfortable front seats
V8 engine comes standard
Many advanced driver safety features come standard
Cons
No alternative engines or axle ratios
Maximum towing and payload capacities fall behind class leaders
Mediocre in-cabin storage
Hard to see out of the back and to the sides
What's new
Midlevel SL trim no longer offered
Part of the second Titan generation introduced for 2016
Overview
In the world of full-size trucks, it pays to be ahead of the curve. Unfortunately, that doesn't describe the Nissan Titan very well. The Titan is an old-school burly pickup truck that relies on size and strength to get the job done. Sure, it lacks the configurable tailgates and innovative powertrains offered by competitors. But it also delivers on some pretty lofty promises. Despite its size, the Titan has a comfortable, refined ride and comes standard with a helpful suite of advanced safety features. It's a conventional truck — just modernized.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Nissan Titan S 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
After receiving significant updates for its full redesign in 2020, the Titan moves into the 2022 model year mostly unchanged. The big difference is the loss of the midlevel SL trim. This simplifies the model lineup down to four trim levels, but it also means you must choose the off-road ready Pro-4X or upscale Platinum Reserve to access certain features. While that's a slight disappointment, it doesn't detract much from the Titan's ultimate mission statement, which is to provide an alternative to rival full-size trucks with a competitive baseline of payload and towing capacity. Check out our Expert Rating to see if the Titan deserves a place in your driveway.
Edmunds Expert Rating
below avg
7.1/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Titan has a standard V8 engine, a comfortable cabin and enough towing capacity for most jobs. It's a perfectly competent full-size light-duty pickup truck. Otherwise, the Titan fails to impress. It doesn't have enough personality to make up for the lack of choice in powertrains, features and body styles that rivals offer. The Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are better trucks overall.
How does the Titan drive? You get a standard V8 engine in the Titan. That's fine if you like V8s but other trucks give you a lot more choice. The Titan we tested accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which is unremarkable for a light-duty pickup with a V8. But the V8, paired with the nine-speed automatic, puts the power to the ground smoothly.
We didn't expect the Titan to raise any eyebrows dynamically. But the steering is surprisingly heavy and cumbersome in a way that hinders maneuverability at low speed. You have to press hard on the brakes for full stopping power, and you feel the weight of this 3-ton truck on winding roads.
Comfort
8.0/10
How comfortable is the Titan? The Titan rides smoothly over even pavement and handles cracks and bumps in the road without upsetting the cabin. It's a comfortable ride made better by the front seats that are cushy and supportive.
The automatic climate control springs into action quickly. But the fans are awfully loud and contribute to high levels of ambient noise that always seems present in the cabin. At speed, there is noticeable wind noise, and you need to speak louder to hold a conversation on the highway.
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How’s the interior? This is a familiar truck interior, with a traditional column-mounted shift lever and clearly labeled large buttons well within reach. Inside there's a lot of hard plastic, but Nissan does a good job of dressing up higher trims with soft materials and wood accents. Passenger space is good in the front and acceptable in the rear, though many rivals in the class are more impressive.
The door handles are huge, and it's easy to climb in and out of the Titan. There's a high, commanding view of the road — taller drivers may actually wish the seat lowered a bit more — and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps with finding a comfortable position. Front visibility is fine over the hood, but the blind spots are huge, even with large convex sideview mirrors. Thank goodness for the blind-spot monitoring system.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? The 9-inch touchscreen that comes on most Titans provides crisp and clear graphics, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is standard. Unfortunately, parts of the screen wash out if you're wearing polarized sunglasses. Also, the rearview camera's resolution is poor and looks particularly pixelated and low-tech on such a high-definition screen. Even the Fender stereo system is only so-so.
Nissan deserves kudos for making Safety Shield 360, its suite of advanced assist features, standard equipment. The adaptive cruise control is especially effective, managing changes in speed smoothly even when other vehicles drift in and out of your lane. We also like the NissanConnect app services that include a live on-call concierge who can troubleshoot tech problems or send directions straight into your vehicle.
Towing and Storage
7.5/10
How are the towing and storage? There is a lot of storage space inside the Titan, but Nissan hasn't made it as clever or configurable as the storage in other trucks. For example, there's a handy soft smartphone grip in the Titan, but it's located in such a way that it takes away from accessible center storage space. The Ram 1500 has a similar smartphone grip, but it is tucked out of the way, pressed against a wireless charging pad.
The Titan's maximum towing capacity when properly equipped is 9,310 pounds. That's enough for a typical trailer but it's far from the best in the light-duty pickup class. Maximum payload capacity of 1,650 pounds is also a bit lightweight. But the bed is spacious, and it's easier to reach over the side than it is in other full-size pickups.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? A Titan with 4WD has an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined in city/highway driving. That's on par with rival V8s, but Nissan doesn't offer a more fuel-efficient engine option as competitors do. Our test Titan returned 18.6 mpg on our mixed-driving 115-mile evaluation route. Many vehicles we test on this route easily do better than their EPA estimate.
Value
7.0/10
Is the Titan a good value? The Titan has little to offer here. Warranty coverage is average, and there's no way to save on gas with a more fuel-efficient engine. Plus, the Titan is not exactly cheap, which makes hard plastics in the cabin more of an eyesore. It's harder to justify the costs and trade-offs associated with this truck than it once was.
Wildcard
6.0/10
There's nothing that's special about the Nissan Titan. It will get you and a whole lot of stuff where you need to go, but little stands out about the experience besides basic competency. Even the powerful V8 engine lacks character, and some clever touches (such as the smartphone grip) are overshadowed by their unintended consequences.
We typically wouldn't expect a ton of personality from a full-size truck. However, the Titan's competitors have largely figured out how to stand out from the crowd in some way, shape or form. That's an obstacle Nissan has yet to conquer.
Which Titan does Edmunds recommend?
Take one step up from the base model and try the SV trim, which opens up the possibility of several optional packages that enhance the Titan experience. For instance, we advise that you take a look at the SV Convenience package for big upgrades to tech and comfort. This is the best way to access premium features without leaping up to the truly pricey models.
Nissan Titan models
The Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup truck available in smaller King Cab or larger crew-cab configurations. There are four trim levels to choose from: S, SV, Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve. All models come with a 5.6-liter V8 engine (400 horsepower, 413 lb-ft of torque) attached to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
S The base model starts you out with:
18-inch steel wheels
Halogen headlights
7-inch instrument display
8-inch color touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Six-speaker stereo system
Bench front seat
Cloth seats
Damped tailgate
Four-pin and seven-pin connector
Standard safety features on every Titan include:
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane departure warning with steer assist (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane and steers the Titan back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your path while you're in reverse)
Trailer sway control (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway)
SV This trim is a step up and adds:
18-inch aluminum alloy wheels
LED taillights
Front tow hooks (4x4 models)
Power-folding side mirrors
Pro-4X An off-road variant that comes with this equipment:
Four-wheel drive
Front tow hooks
LED headlights and daytime running lights
Lava red exterior and interior badging
Radiator protective skid plate
9-inch color touchscreen with navigation
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Bucket front seats
Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support
Protective bedliner
Towing receiver hitch
Platinum Reserve At the top of the lineup, this model offers:
20-inch wheels with chrome finish
Chrome running boards
Puddle lights
Two-tone exterior paint
Power tilt-and-telescoping adjustable steering wheel
Warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
Intelligent Cruise Control
Maintains a driver-set distance between the Titan and the car in front.
Blind-Spot Warning
Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
Not Rated
Back Seat
Not Rated
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
19.8%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
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FAQ
Is the Nissan Titan a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 Titan both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.1 out of 10. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Nissan Titan. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Nissan Titan?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Nissan Titan:
Midlevel SL trim no longer offered
Part of the second Titan generation introduced for 2016
To determine whether the Nissan Titan is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Titan. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Titan's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Nissan Titan a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Nissan Titan is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 Titan and gave it a 7.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 Titan is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Nissan Titan?
The least-expensive 2022 Nissan Titan is the 2022 Nissan Titan S 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,810.
Other versions include:
S 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) which starts at $38,810
S 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) which starts at $42,070
SV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) which starts at $44,140
SV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) which starts at $47,400
If you're interested in the Nissan Titan, the next question is, which Titan model is right for you? Titan variants include S 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A), S 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A), SV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A), and SV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A). For a full list of Titan models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
