2023 Nissan Titan

It's very likely that these are the twilight years for the Nissan Titan pickup, a competent but otherwise outclassed truck that simply hasn't kept up with the unconquerable Ford F-150, not to mention the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500. It's not only American competitors that outclass the Nissan Titan, with the all-new Toyota Tundra boasting much more efficient engines and the latest tech. In the Titan's favor are a standard 400-horsepower V8 that is both smooth and reliable, plenty of standard features, and a generally high level of refinement for a pickup. But with a limited range and no true high-performance or extreme off-road models, the Titan simply doesn't bring enough variety to the table when its full-size rivals cater to virtually every kind of buyer, which explains why its sales dipped by 45% in the USA in 2022. With only minor changes to the 2023 model, this is a trend we foresee continuing.

The smaller King Cab models are the cheapest, with the starting price of the new 2023 Nissan Titan being $39,950 in this specification for the S. The King Cab SV costs $45,330, and both these models can be upgraded with 4x4 for another $3,290.

There are more Nissan Titan Crew Cab trims, starting with the cheapest S at $41,790. After that, the MSRP for the Nissan Titan rises to $45,250 for the SV, $53,060 for the Pro-4X, and $58,920 for the Platinum Reserve. Besides the Pro-4X that has 4x4 as standard, the remaining three Crew Cab trim levels can also be upgraded to 4x4 for $3,140 (S), $3,190 (SV), and $3,310 (Platinum Reserve).

A rather hefty destination charge of $1,895 is excluded from the MSRP of all Nissan Titan models outlined above. Package upgrades are trim-specific and can also increase the total price.

There is nothing terribly sophisticated about the driving experience of the 2023 Nissan Titan, but it also isn't unlivable. Immediately noticeable is the heavy steering, which makes maneuvering around town a bit of a chore, and the vehicle's weight isn't as well hidden as some other trucks. The brake pedal also requires a firm push to bring the truck to a quick stop. However, the comfortable front seats, smooth V8, and fuss-free automatic combine to deliver a fairly comfortable cruiser. It's not as accomplished as the absorbent Ram 1500 in this area, but it's decent enough.

While rear-wheel drive is standard, a part-time four-wheel-drive system is available, and the Pro-4X is the most capable model with its electronic locking rear differential and hill descent control. In this guise, the Titan can handle some light off-roading duties, but Nissan doesn't offer anything that will bother an F-150 Raptor or Silverado ZR2.

There's nothing wrong with being a B-student if the class average is a D, but unfortunately for Nissan, its newer rivals all excel in one way or another. The best towing capacities, number of configurations, and technologies are all to be found elsewhere in this segment. Perhaps the strongest case to be made for the Titan is that it comes with a 400-hp V8 as standard in the USA, but that advantage is eroded when you consider the steep gas bills this engine incurs. The Titan has comfortable front seats, enough features to satisfy most, and should prove to be a reliable companion. Three or four years ago, the current Titan would've been a more competitive vehicle, but it simply hasn't kept up with the rising standard in this segment and, because of that, it becomes a difficult vehicle to recommend.

As with any truck, the model you choose depends on your needs. If you need a tough and rugged workhorse, stick with the base King Cab for under $40,000. The most off-road-capable model is the Pro-4X which benefits from an electronic locking rear differential, and it looks quite good. At closer to - or over - the $60,000 mark (4x4) for the Platinum, we'd rather go for the Ford F-150 King Ranch or Platinum Crew Cab models, which are better trucks overall, although they are a bit more expensive.