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2025 Nissan Sentra Review2023 Nissan Titan: Feeling Dated
The Titan is Nissan's rugged full-sized pickup truck. Is it the right pickup for you? We look at towing capacity, powertrain, and more.
2023 Nissan Titan – nissanusa.com | Shop 2023 Nissan Titan on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Nissan Titan?
On sale in its second-generation form for seven years now, the 2023 Nissan Titan soldiers on with minimal updates and the sense that Nissan is not putting a whole lot of R&D dollars into their full-size pickup offering. The 2020 model saw a trimming of configurations
This year’s updates, versus the 2022 Titan, are limited to a Midnight Edition package confusingly offered along with a standalone Midnight Edition model. As well, wireless Apple CarPlay has been added to top-spec models. The standard V8 motor is plenty strong and the Titan is not a bad truck, in a vacuum. But it’s a different story in comparison to the competition.
The Breakdown
Lots of standard driver aids
Remote climate control
Strong base motor
Few standard creature comforts
Needs a more potent motor option
PRO-4X barely upgrades off-road creds
Feels left behind versus competition
2023 Titan Specs
- 400 horsepower from base engine
- 413 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 5.5- or 6.5-foot truck bed
- Slick Utili-Track system with adjustable cleats
- Fender 12-speaker stereo
- Standard driver attention monitor
- Bumper-to-bumper 100,000-mile coverage
2023 Nissan Titan Powertrain
Every 2023 Nissan Titan comes fitted with a 5.6-liter V8 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. It is rated for 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque and can be optioned with a shift-on-the-fly 4×4 system for about $3,100, though it is included on PRO-4X models. Just two years ago, this was on par with the other non-domestic full-size truck offering from Toyota that we compared here. But the new Tundra now offers a thundering hybrid V6 strapped with twin turbos to produce a stout 583 torques, leaving the Titan feeling somewhat inadequate.
A King Cab body with small rear doors and a 6.5-foot bed can be had with the S and SV models only, while the four-door Crew Cab models that are fitted with a 5.5-foot bed are available on every trim and standard on the top two. The Titan runs on double wishbones up front and a leaf-sprung rear axle that won’t win it any comfort awards but does allow for solid hauling capability. PRO-4X models look the off-road part but the Bilstein dampers, all-terrain tires, and front skid plate don’t add a whole lot in the form of real rough road upgrades.
Towing & Payload
The base 2023 Nissan Titan can tow 9,320 pounds, which is also the maximum figure for the lineup. It requires a RWD base S model, but a loaded Platinum Reserve can still handle over 9,000 pounds. All 2023 Titans come with a damped tailgate and there is an available Utili-Track system of cargo bed rails with adjustable cleats that make securing a load, which maxes out at 1,7000 ponds, a cinch. This tonneau cover writeup is worth a read for those looking to create a more secure cargo bed.
2023 Nissan Titan Fuel Economy & MPG
A 2023 Titan in RWD setup earns an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in city driving and 21 on the highway. Adding four-wheel running gear drops the city rating by a single mpg and PRO-4X versions see their city rating fall to 15 mpg.
For comparison, Ford offers a hybrid F-150 that achieves 24 mpg in city and highway driving, while GMC sells a diesel-powered Sierra rated for 30 mpg on the open road.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Nissan has been fitting their lineup with “Zero Gravity” front seats for years now and they are known for being rather comfy. They are offered on Titan models with front buckets or you can opt for a bench seat in the first row to make room for three. The second-row bench accommodates three on all models but legroom is stingy, even on the Crew Cab which has 38.5 inches of stretch-out space. A Ford F-150 expands that metric to over 43 inches.
Aside from the Platinum Reserve Titan, upholstery consists of cloth with some vinyl thrown in on the S model, which is essentially a work truck. That top-spec Titan has other niceties like open-pore wood trim and heated seats for both rows as well as Nissan’s Intelligent Key that allows owners to start the truck remotely and set the cabin climate to their liking.
Useful cargo touches include fold-up rear seat cushions and an available cargo organizer underneath with a cover that can fold out to create a flat load floor. The front-row center console can swallow a small laptop and top models have 10 cupholders. Out back, available TITAN boxes are lockable bins built into the cargo bed and LED lighting makes nighttime loading work easier.
2023 Nissan Titan Entertainment & Tech
Titan S and SV models come with an 8-inch central touchscreen to control Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a 7-inch multi-function display within the gauge cluster. Moving up to a PRO-4X model nets a larger 9-inch infotainment interface along with connected navigation, wireless phone connection, and Nissan’s suite of connectivity services that includes a Wi-Fi hotspot. The best features, like a 12-speaker audio system from Fender and an external Around View Monitor require the Platinum Reserve though much of this can be accessed by a package lower down the trim hierarchy.
Safety Features
Nissan equips the 2023 Titan with a robust suite of advanced driver safety systems that includes Forward Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. As anyone that drives a full-size pickup will tell you, those latter two systems are a huge help given the natural blind spots of such a large vehicle. Rear parking sonar, another standard feature, is an equally useful safety net with front-facing sonar available on higher-end models.
2023 Nissan Titan Trims & Pricing
S – $41,495
Base Titan S models keep it simple with 18-inch steel wheels, vinyl and cloth upholstery, and a manual sliding rear window. However, this work-focused Titan does come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto controlled via an 8-inch touchscreen. Other tech amenities include dual USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
SV – $46,795
Alloy wheels and access to a Deep Blue Pearl finish upgrades Nissan Titan SV models that offer black or beige cloth seating and come with automatic climate control. The $2,600 Convenience package ups the ante with heated front seats, NissanConnect Services, front and rear parking sonar, remote engine start, a power-operated rear window, and more.
Midnight Edition – $53,855
If you were to check every option package available on the SV, you would have the Titan Midnight Edition. Along with the black-out treatment and 20-inch rims, these models have the towing package that includes a trailer brake controller and utility package, which brings the Utili-Track bed system and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
PRO-4X – $54,605
Though it looks cool, especially in the exclusive Baja Storm Metallic paint, with PRO-4X decals and special wheels mounted in all-terrain rubber, the Titan PRO-4X doesn’t offer a whole lot of serious off-road upgrades. It does, however, come with a 9-inch infotainment display, connected navigation, Traffic Sign Recognition, and sweet embroidered seats.
Platinum Reserve – $60,465
Ponying up for the Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve brings a two-tone paint job, 20-inch wheels, a litany of cargo bed upgrades, and running boards. The cabin features leather upholstery with climatized front seats, heated rear outboard positions, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system.
Warranties
Nissan steps up on the warranty department with a 5-year/100,000-mile plan that covers the basic truck and powertrain. Corrosion is under warranty for five years with no mileage limit and three years or 36,000 miles of roadside assistance are included. There is no complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance.
What we think
2023 Nissan Titan – nissanusa.com | Shop 2023 Nissan Titan on Carsforsale.com
In and of itself, the 2023 Nissan Titan is a solid full-size pickup truck. It comes with a strong V8 motor, can tow 9,000 pounds, offers an array of creature comforts, and comes with a long list of standard driver aids. However, it feels very underwhelming when compared to options like a Toyota twin-turbo hybrid with 12,000 pounds of towing capacity or F-150 with massaging seats and 12-inch touchscreen, not to mention the Raptor and its ilk.
Given that, I would stick to the base S model for its strong work capability and lower sticker price or look at the used Titan market, as we do here, to save some money over a new model. If you do go new, be sure to read up on the latest incentives.
