Used 2020 Nissan Titan Crew Cab

#5 in Best Pickup Trucks of 2020

In the face of tough and significantly newer competition from the Big Three (Ford, GM, Ram), Nissan has invested $230 million to improve its Titan. To that end, Nissan says it has focused the Titan lineup on what customers want. This means a 2020 Nissan Titan with significantly improved styling, a thoroughly revised interior (with an available 9-inch touch-screen display) and more standard safety tech, which includes automatic emergency braking and a lane-departure warning. What’s more, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard.

The engine, now tested using premium fuel, puts out 400 horsepower, the only standard V8 in its class to reach that mark. More significantly, it sends that power to the rear (or all four) wheels via a new 9-speed automatic transmission, which replaces last year’s 7-speed. Although Nissan hasn’t released any performance figures for the new 2020 Titan, the company did say the full-size truck is now much quicker from 50 to 70 mph. Moreover, its tow ratings have increased by about 100 pounds across the board. For the record, a 2020 Titan King Cab 4×2, the best tow rig, can tow a 9,370-pound trailer. In 2019 spec, that Titan had a tow rating of 9,250 pounds.

Other smart modifications to the new 2020 Nissan Titan include new headlights with a linear LED surround. These headlights, which have double the low-beam output, but reduced glare for oncoming vehicles, are complemented by new LED fog lights with an additional 15 degrees of coverage.

Have these improvements transformed the new Nissan Titan into a better truck? They sure have. One that’s safer, more attractive and more technically up to date, for sure. Although its share of the full-size pickup-truck market is tiny in a tough playing field, we suspect the improved Titan will move the needle a bit in Nissan’s direction, aided by a 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that’s the best in the pickup business.

It’s a pleasurable experience, driving the new 2020 Nissan Titan. The direct-injected V8 engine is quiet and refined, with enough power on tap to make freeway onramps a relaxed affair, even while towing a 5,000-pound trailer carrying a couple of quads. The new 9-speed automatic is a smooth gearbox, and it will downshift two or sometimes three gears when the driver is aggressive with the throttle and looking to pass somebody on a 2-lane highway. Even with a new lower final-drive ratio of 3.69:1 (last year’s truck had a 2.93:1 rear end), the Titan engine stays relaxed on the highway, running at about 1,500 rpm at 60 mph, 1,700 rpm at 70, and only 1,900 rpm at 80.

What’s more, conversation within the Titan’s roomy Crew Cab is easy, thanks in part to new acoustic laminated glass. Also easy is operating the Fender stereo via the attractive new 9-inch touch screen at the top of the center stack. Its resolution is better than HD (which makes for great-looking maps when you’re using nav), and it’s supported by couple rows of large buttons that are easy to use without taking your eyes off the road for too long.

The truck we drove, a Titan SV Crew Cab 4×4, came with a dual panoramic moonroof. While the opening is commendably large (and Nissan has maintained handy grab handles on the headliner), this moonroof, which is available on the SL, Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve models, does cut into the available head room. If you’re over 6-foot-4, don’t get it.

All told, the new 2020 Nissan Titan drove very well, impressively refined and comfortable enough for a long cross-country drive. Active cruise control works like it should, and the lane-departure warning system vibrates the steering wheel gently if you start to drift out of your lane. We like this much better than an audible warning, but we’re pleased to report that the system can be shut off via controls on the Titan’s tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

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The 2020 Nissan Titan is available as a King Cab (with a pair of rear-hinged back doors) and as a Crew Cab with four conventional doors. Both seat five comfortably (or six when ordered as a base S model with a front bench seat), and both benefit from all the new improvements for 2020. These include the new center stack with the Integrated Command Center, an available panoramic moonroof, and laminated glass that makes conversation much easier inside the cab.

The Titan’s seats are all-day comfortable, and rear legroom is fine for most adults. What’s more, the quality of materials is high, and the off-road-focused Titan Pro-4X model is available with a new camouflage seat fabric that looks much better in real life than it might seem.

Also positive: The 2020 Titan’s gauges are a model of clarity, with a large analog tachometer and speedometer flanking a large center information display. On the Pro-4X, this central display can feature a new off-road gauge that indicates the side angle of inclination, plus an active pictogram that shows the delivery of power in 4×4 low.

One other note: The Titan’s premium Fender audio system, with 12 speakers and 485 watts of power, positively fills the roomy cab with crisp and clear sounds.

Nissan, working with a “Powerful Warrior” design theme, has strived to create a distinct look for each of the new 2020 Titans:

The Titan SL is loaded with chrome trim. The shiny material can be found on the grille, the mirrors, the 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and door handles, plus the side steps and exhaust tip.

The Platinum Reserve is a 2-tone Titan with a satin chrome grille and a tailgate featuring a broad satin-finish applique. The look is complemented by illuminated chrome running boards and 20-inch alloy wheels that are painted and machined.

The Titan Pro-4X, the rugged off-road-oriented model, features a blacked-out grille with red Nissan lettering, red tow hooks and a black tailgate applique also with red Nissan lettering. In addition to 18-inch all-terrain off-road tires, the Pro-4X is equipped with painted, dark-finish wheels, special graphics and black door handles.

Exterior colors for the 2020 Nissan Titan include Super Black, Cardinal Red Metallic, Baja Storm (our favorite on the Pro-4X), Red Alert, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Gun Metallic, Pearl White TriCoat, Glacier White, and Deep Blue Pearl.

INTEGRATED COMMAND CENTER
Featuring a handsome 9-inch touch screen with outstanding WXGA (better than high-definition) resolution, the Titan’s Integrated Command Center is easy to use, aided by simplified buttons below. We also appreciate the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Standard on all 2020 Nissan Titans, automatic emergency braking is a possible lifesaver. The new Titan also boasts rear automatic braking, which automatically applies the brakes if something is detected in the pickup’s path while it’s in reverse.

The 2020 Nissan Titan is available as a King Cab model with a 6.5-foot bed, or as a Crew Cab model with a 5.5-foot bed, in both 4×2 or 4×4 forms. The sole engine is a good one: a direct-injected 5.6-liter V8 with 400 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm (premium fuel), and the sole gearbox is a new 9-speed automatic.

Standard features include the Nissan Safety Shield 360 safety suite, rear automatic braking and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. While an 8-inch display is standard on the Titan, the Pro-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve get an impressive 9-inch touch screen with WXGA resolution, which is said to be higher than HD.

The new 2020 Titan also has Nissan Connect, which allows over-the-air software updates and new safety and security features.

The base Titan S model has a few options. These include a tow package, a spray-on bedliner, and even an overhead front console.

The SV, though better equipped, still has plenty of options. These include 20-inch alloy wheels, a power outlet in the bed, cargo lights, a bed step, a trailer-brake controller, extendable tow mirrors, and a power driver’s seat. Also optional on the SV is Nissan Connect with Navigation, plus the 9-inch Integrated Command Center, dual-zone climate control, and two rear USB ports.

The Titan Pro-4X can be ordered with power outside mirrors, embroidered seats, a power front-passenger seat, a heated rear seat, the 12-speaker Fender audio system, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. Remote engine start also is optional on the Pro-4X, along with the huge panoramic moonroof and one of our favorite features, the handy 360-degree Around View Monitor that makes life much easier in tight parking lots and when hitching up a trailer.

As the Titan flagship, the Platinum Reserve model is opulent. But even it has options. These include a rear bed step, the panoramic moonroof, and a Utility package that includes a lockable onboard toolbox.

The Nissan Titan’s direct-injected 5.6-liter V8 produces 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. That’s an improvement over last year, when the same engine put out 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. What gives? Simple. This year, Nissan did its dyno testing with premium-grade gasoline, not regular. If you want max performance, buy premium. If you want performance on par with last year, use 87-octane gasoline. It won’t hurt the Titan in any way.

5.6-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
413 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimated): 16/22 mpg (4×2), 15/21 mpg (4×4)