Nearly 20 years ago, someone decided on the not-so-keen idea of naming a full-sized pickup truck after a mythological Greek god. It’s been a curse for the Nissan Titan.
Perennially low-selling in the country’s best-selling vehicle segment, the Titan has had only two generations since 2003 and none since 2016. The Titan had the poorest sales of any mainstream full-sized truck last year, losing nearly 38 percent of its share from a year earlier.
Key Takeaways
- 5.6-liter V8 with 400 horsepower and a new nine-speed transmission, the only engine offered.
- $37,785 base price for the king cab, about $2,000 more than in 2019.
- Five trims: S, SV, Pro-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve; the single cab has been discontinued.
- 9,370 pounds maximum towing capacity.
- Safety Shield 360 is standard for the first time, with eight airbags in total.
- Competition: The Nissan Titan was never bad; its rivals are just drastically better and supported by massive marketing campaigns.
Refreshing the truck for 2020 was the least Nissan could after only 31,000 Titans were purchased last year. The brand finished an unlucky 13th and at the bottom on the sales list.
Nissan Titan tries to rebound
The Nissan Titan was never bad; its rivals are just drastically better and supported by massive marketing campaigns. Ford, Chevrolet and Ram rule the truck empire with the rest maneuvering up and down in for a share for the ever-expanding market.
Despite its lowly status, the 2020 Nissan Titan is now worthy of decent promotion. It’s as good as it’s ever been in a tough crowd.
Trims and Powertrain
Five trims, S, SV, Pro-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve, are offered and either with a double-cab (king cab) or crew-cab. The single cab has been discontinued. A dual-panel panoramic moonroof is a new option in the crew cab.
Further refreshments include new and more attractive interior and exterior designs. A 5.6-liter V8 engine is the only option. It’s been increased to 400 horsepower and is joined by a new nine-speed transmission.
Safety and Equipment
Nissan calls its driver assistance suite Safety Shield 360, and it’s standard on the Titan for the first time. Reverse automatic braking is part of the improved safety offering, and it’s a first on any pickup. Adaptive cruise is also new, and two more airbags (eight total) and two more seat-belt pre-tensioners (four total) have been added.
The Titan’s ruggedness is impressive. It has huge power-adjusted and heated outside mirrors. A utility package in the bed includes the utilitrack system and four tie-down cleats. There’s also LED under-rail bed lighting and a 110-volt power outlet.
Twenty-inch chrome wheels, a chrome exhaust and chrome front grille give the Titan a good dose of flash and class.
Pricing and Interior
With its 2020 improvements, the king cab trim has a base entry price of $37,785, about $2,000 more than in 2019. It’s a value-worthy expense.
Durability and versatility are long-time pickup signatures. Comfort is now also superior in the top-selling brands. Pickup trucks are now more like small luxury apartments on wheels.
The Nissan Titan improves those areas, too. The standard Zero Gravity cloth seats are wide and comfortable and have multiple seating adjustments. Leather available in some trims is high quality and fitted properly. Further high-end quilted leather is optional only in top-line Platinum Reserve trim.
The Titan’s interior is spacious with open, airy feel and plenty of the head and legroom in the front seat, but limited legroom in the back seats. The large front cabin is complemented by an equally expansive view in any direction. Drivers like pickup trucks because of the style’s high seating structure. The Titan does it well.
Driving Impressions
While not quick by truck standards, the Titan’s acceleration is satisfactory. The maximum towing capacity is 9,370 pounds, lower than rivals, but enough for RV considerations. Road and wind noise have also improved via the Titan’s new acoustic laminated glass.
2020 Nissan Titan Verdict
How the Titan’s improvements will help sales, particularly as the industry suffers during the coronavirus crisis, won’t be known to the end-of-the-year statistics. One thing won’t change. It’s no easy challenge when you’re named after a Greek god.
Facts & Figures: 2020 Nissan Titan
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price (King Cab) | $37,785 |
| Engine | 5.6-liter V8 |
| Horsepower | 400 hp |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Towing | Up to 9,370 pounds |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.