If you're in the market for a used Nissan Titan, there are plenty of years to pick from. Named after the Greek Titans, this is more than just a truck. We’ll take a look at the generations and different models in between to give you some tips for buying a pre-owned Nissan Titan.
Key Takeaways:
- The Titan is a great truck for those who do light jobs and don’t need an oversized pickup.
- If you want the most powerful base engine, you’ll need something that comes after 2020.
- Both generations of Titans come with a few cabs to pick from, helping you get what you want.
First Generation (2003 - 2015)
The Nissan Titan began development in 1999, aiming to make the best truck possible. When 2000 came around, the interior was chosen, and it was green lights from there. The first model hit the market in 2003, and it came with a 32-valve, 5.6L engine that could produce 317 horsepower and 3865 lb-ft of torque. From 2004 to 2007, the Titan produced slightly less power, sitting at 305 horsepower.
This generation came in one of two cabs: the King Cab and the Crew Cab. It also came with either rear-wheel drive or a “shift-on-the-fly” four-wheel-drive system. The King Cab came with a longer 6-foot 7-inch bed, while the Crew Cab has a smaller 5-foot 7-foot bed.
When 2008 came around, the Titan offered a longer wheelbase, which increased both of the bed lengths for the King Cab and the Crew Cab. The King Cab would come with a 8-foot 3-inch bed, and the Crew Cab would come with a 7-foot 3-inch bed.
The trim levels you can look for are the XE, SE, and LE. These trims were available with the Off-Road package on 4x4 models. Much like the new wheelbase length, 2008 saw the Pro-4X trim join the lineup.
2011 saw most of the trims renamed. The XE changed to the S, the SE changed to the SV, and the LE changed to the SL. While the Pro-4X remained the same. The new lineup starts with the S trim as the base level, with the SE having slightly better features. The Pro-4X came with off-roading equipment to make things fun, while the SL is the top of the pack, offering some of the best features for its time.
Second Generation (2016 - 2024)
Being that the two generations had so much time in between, the Titan came with a new engine. This new engine had some Herculean strength. This new 5.6L V8 can produce 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque.
If you want even more power, you can look for Titan XD models that come with a Cummins 5.0L turbodiesel V8 engine. This can produce 310 horsepower, and 555 lb-ft of torque.
Much like the first generation, this one came with a few different cabs to pick from. There are the two-door Regular Cab, four-door King Cab, and the four-door Crew Cab.
The S, SV, Pro-4X, and SL all returned, but the Platinum Reserve joins the lineup. While all Titans were equipped with Bluetooth, keyless entry, and a rearview back camera system. Options included a touchscreen audio system with GPS navigation (which later became standard in 2019), leather-trimmed seating with heating and ventilation, and a premium audio system.
The generation saw a refresh in 2020, which saw the removal of the regular cab model, leaving the King Cab and the Crew Cab. The XD model lost the Cummins engine, leaving the V8 as the sole engine. The V8 did see a boost in power, now able to produce 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque.
This refresh helped the Titan come with a “comfortable cabin” and “enough towing capacity for most jobs.” Making for a “perfectly competent full-size light-duty pickup truck.” As noted by Edmunds’ review of the 2020 model.
This saw some new optional features hit the lineup, one being a 9-inch screen and the other being a dual-panel panoramic moon roof. Some new safety features were added; this was part of the 360-degree safety shield, coming with lane departure warning, auto emergency braking, rear auto braking, and blind-spot warning.
In 2023, Nissan confirmed that the Titan was to be discontinued in 2024. While you can’t get a new model, you can get a great used model.
If you’re looking for one of the best trucks for handymen everywhere, then come see us at Jarrett. We have some of the best used trucks on the market. Come on by to check out our inventory!