Latest News
2025 GMC Sierra 1500 ReviewHead-to-Head: Ram 1500 vs Nissan Titan
It’s a 2022 truck showdown with the Ram vs. Titan. Which 2022 model is better? We’re analyzing specs, performance, comfort, and features to find out!
They’re Both Good, but One Is Better
I can start this comparison off by saying that whether you have your eye on the 2022 Nissan Titan or the 2022 Ram 1500, you’ll be getting a good full-size truck. We put both of these trucks near the top when Ranking the Best Full-Size Trucks of 2021. Models in recent years are filled with features to maximize comfort, utility, and power. The Titan and 1500 don’t disappoint in those areas. There are differences between the two of them, though, and there’s one that I like a little bit better than the others. Take a look at these important categories below to find out which truck stands above the other.
Specs
A 2022 Nissan Titan puts out 413 lb-ft of torque with a 5.6L V8 engine that makes 400 horsepower. This is the only engine option, and it is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The latest Titan comes with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD), or four-wheel drive (4WD) for an additional cost. When it comes to fuel economy, the 4WD version of the 2022 Nissan Titan earns up to 16 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city, and the RWD version gets 16 MPG. On the highway, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that a 4WD 2022 Nissan Titan will get 21 mpg. It’s the same number for a RWD.
While there aren’t multiple powertrain options, Nissan does offer several work and performance packages for the 2022 Titan. The S Utility package includes a trailer receiver hitch and a four or seven-pin wiring harness. Every 2022 Nissan Titan model can tow at least 9,240 pounds. It has a payload capacity of 1,710 pounds with a gooseneck trailer hitch. Tow mirrors, a trailer brake controller, and front tow hooks are part of an SV tow package. Like we said in our 2022 Nissan Titan review, all 2022 Titans have a blend of good handling and utility thanks, in part, to an independent, double wishbone front suspension and multi-leaf spring in the back.
In contrast to the Nissan Titan, the 2022 Ram 1500 has four different engine combinations. There’s a 3.6L V6, a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, and a 5.7L V8 engine. All of those engines come with a RWD or 4WD drivetrain. The three engines mentioned make between 260 and 395 horsepower. Between 269 and 480 lb-ft of torque is produced with those engine options. The fourth engine is the strongest: a 6.2L Supercharged V8, available with the 2022 Ram 1500 TRX. The TRX is only available with 4WD. In our in-depth 2022 Ram 1500 review, we mentioned that this truck has outstanding power across the lineup.
For towing purposes, the 2022 Ram 1500 bests the 2022 Nissan Titan. Up to 12,750 pounds can be towed by the Ram 1500, and it has up to 2,300 pounds of payload. Fuel efficiency varies because of the several engine variations that come with 2022 Ram 1500. The combination with the lowest EPA is the 4WD 6.2L V8 on the TRX. That one makes 10 MPG in the city and 14 MPG on the highway. The Ram 1500 is more fuel-efficient than the Titan with the right configuration. The best gas mileage is gained with the 3.0L turbodiesel V6 and RWD. This combo gets 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.
Driving & Performance
Riding in a 2022 Nissan Titan is comfortable and there’s not very much road noise in the cabin, but the truck loses points when it comes to handling. It’s not incredibly agile. Steering isn’t easy. The simplest way to say it is that it drives like you’d expect a big truck to drive. Making sharp turns and getting into parking spaces will take a little bit of work. In the plus column, it is off-road capable and it’ll likely be able to haul, or tow, whatever you’re looking for. The 2022 Nissan Titan powers up pretty well, and it reacts quick enough when stopping.
While the 2022 Nissan Titan is comfortable to ride in, the 2022 Ram 1500 outshines it. That’s because of coil springs, or optional air springs, in the rear suspension. They cushion the Ram 1500’s ride whether it is on a city street, on a gravel road, on an interstate, or on a mountain path. Steering doesn’t require a lot of effort, making the Ram 1500 a good choice for a relaxing Sunday drive. It can easily get up to speed when accelerating and has strong brakes so it’s also a good choice for stop-and-go traffic on a high-speed roadway. On top of that, the 2022 Ram 1500 is easy to maneuver.
Comfort & Interior
There are more cabin comforts in the 2022 Nissan Titan than just pleasant seats. That includes a standard seven-inch digital instrument display, an eight or nine-inch touchscreen, and available rear USB ports. There are hard buttons for temperature control, volume, and audio tuning. A large center console adds extra storage in Crew Cab models.
There’s seating for five people, but it’ll be more comfortable with four, especially in the smaller King Cab. There is 40.9-inches of front headroom, 38.7-inches of rear headroom, 41.8-inches of front leg room, and 24.8-inches of rear leg room in the King Cab body style. The Crew Cab numbers bump up to: 41.0-inches of front headroom, 40.4-inches of rear headroom, 41.8-inches of front leg room, and 38.5-inches of rear leg room.
Just when Nissan may be pulling ahead in this head-to-head comparison, the Ram 1500 delivers with its own very functional and refined cabin. Five people can enjoy features like heated and ventilated seats in some models. The most luxurious models have premium leather surfaces and genuine wood accents. Those models don’t feel like a truck. They feel more like you’re sitting in the cabin of a high-end sedan.
The layout is sensible with driver and passenger knobs for audio control and temperature adjustments. USB ports are located below the main central control panel. The infotainment system isn’t needlessly complicated. Legroom in the 2022 Ram 1500 Quad Cab measures 40.9 inches in the front, and 35.6 inches in the back. The Crew Cab style measures the same upfront, but increases rear legroom to 45.2 inches.
Trims & Features
Nissan keeps it simple for the 2022 Titan with four trims: the S, SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve. All 2022 Nissan Titans include driver assist features like forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors. They also come standard with a rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, and driver attention monitoring. Music can be played with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or satellite radio on every 2022 Nissan Titan model. A six-speaker stereo comes with the base trim, but a 12-speaker Fender stereo is available in higher trims.
Moving up to the 2022 Nissan Titan SV in a King Cab body style gets drivers an alternating current (AC) power outlet, voice recognition, keyless entry, traffic sign recognition, navigation, remote start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Titan Pro-4X (only available as a Crew Cab) comes with hill descent control, skid plates, LED headlights, and all-terrain tires. That’s the model you’ll want if off-roading is a favorite hobby. Finally, there’s the 2022 Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve.
The Ram 1500 is offered in eight models: the Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn/Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn SouthFork, Limited 10th Anniversary Edition, and TRX. Standard safety features on the lowest trim are limited to a rearview camera. The lowest Ram 1500 trims start with cloth upholstery, a five-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and USB ports. A push-button start is also standard.
The Ram 1500 Big Horn adds Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a WiFi hot spot, satellite radio. Genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and power-adjustable seats are all included with the 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie. A heated steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control are also included. The touchscreen increases to 8.4 inches in size. Moving up to the Ram 1500 Rebel will get a locking differential and tow hooks. Passengers will be grateful for the heated rear seats that come with the Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn. Navigation, HD radio, and front and rear parking sensors also come with that trim.
Starting with the Ram 1500 Limited, the touchscreen becomes 12 inches and is also vertically oriented. Wireless device charging is an additional cabin feature. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are included as driver assists. The very versatile multi-function tailgate is also available starting with the Limited Longhorn and Limited trims. The RAM TRX (the most powerful of the bunch) is your off-roading choice of the 2022 Ram 1500 models. An off-road chassis and suspension are exclusive to the RAM TRX. So are Bilstein shocks and a larger air filter. A 10-speaker audio system is part of the setup, too.
The Verdict
Both of these trucks provide utility and comfort. The 2022 Nissan Titan has more standard driver assists at the base level, but the Ram 1500 adds those same features the higher up the trim ladder you go. If you’re going for a basic truck that’s not going to be hauling and towing on ranchland every day, the Nissan is cheaper, starting at $43,240 for a 2022 Nissan Titan S Crew Cab with 4WD. The lowest Ram 1500 trim with 4WD is the Limited Crew Cab at $65,195.
If you’re thinking about going used on either of these vehicles, be sure to read Budget Buy: Ford F-150 vs Ram 1500 Under $10,000 and our 2020 Titan review.
However, if you want even more of a workhorse with top-of-the-line luxury, the RAM 1500 is your choice. I’d suggest at least going up to the Laramie trim, where leather upholstery and heated, power-adjustable seats are standard. Plus, the Laramie has the split-folding tailgate, too. You will spend more money on the Ram 1500, though. The 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab with 4WD is going for $53,050. Compare that to Nissan’s top trim: the 2022 Nissan Titan Crew Cab SV with 4WD is going for $46,720. If you’re regularly using your truck for a variety of tasks, however, it’ll be worth it.
