2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of design details including distinct grilles, various wheel sizes and styles, and different bumper finishes. Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab styles provided flexibility, along with trim levels such as WT (Work Truck), Custom, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country. For off-roading enthusiasts, a Trail Boss version was available for the Custom or LT trims. The Silverado’s MSRP ranged from $28,500 to $57,100, excluding the $1,595 destination charge. In the review, a Silverado LT Trail Boss was tested, equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and four additional packages, which increased its price to $59,185. The black paint, black wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim gave the test truck a custom appearance, though it required extra effort to keep clean.

While the Silverado’s exterior styling generally received positive feedback, its interior design was criticized. The cabin had an industrial, raw architectural look with silver trim that appeared plastic rather than metal, and was busy due to its layered, modular nature. Even leather seats couldn’t mask a dated and unrefined feel. The test truck’s cabin did not suggest a near $60,000 price tag, which was a problem given the expectations at this price point. Despite the necessity for an interior that could withstand wear and tear, a cohesive and modern design was still expected.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Titan retained its looks from the 2020 refresh, offering three King Cab grades and five Crew Cab trim levels. Each grade, including S, SL, SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve, had distinct interior and exterior designs. The Titan S and SV featured dark grilles, the SL had a bright chrome grille, the Platinum Reserve sported a satin chrome grille, and the Pro-4X had a black grille. The Pro-4X also featured a unique logo in black with lava-red script, and lava red tow hooks below the grille. New headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, with available LED fog lights adding 15% more visibility.

The Titan’s bed featured four sources of LED light, which improved upon the single flooding light in older models. It also included LED taillights and unique tailgate finishers for different trims. Bed options included a 5.5-foot bed for Crew Cab models and a 6.5-foot bed for King Cab models, each with a Utili-track Bed Channel System. Eight exterior color choices added to the Titan’s appeal, with Baja Storm, the color of the Pro-4X tester, standing out as unique. The interior received a significant upgrade with a modern center stack, a large infotainment screen, and piano-black plastic trim. Although the steering wheel remained dated, the interior overall was attractive and functional.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provided multiple engine and transmission options depending on the truck’s configuration and trim level. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine that produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, achieving up to 27 mpg on the highway. However, this engine could cost up to $6,705 extra depending on the trim. The review focused on the Silverado LT Trail Boss with an optional 6.2-liter V8 engine, generating 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered impressive performance with a commanding exhaust note and effective acceleration, particularly with the Autotrac 4WD system.

The LT Trail Boss featured Z71 Off-Road Package components, including off-road suspension, Rancho shocks, and all-terrain tires. On rugged trails, it performed brilliantly, though its handling on pavement could be compromised by the tires and steering response. The truck delivered a commendable ride quality, tracked straight on long roads, and averaged 16.8 mpg with Autotrac in Auto mode. Compared to a 2019 Silverado LT Trail Boss with a 5.3-liter V8, which achieved 13.8 mpg, the 6.2-liter engine seemed more efficient in real-world conditions.

The 2021 Nissan Titan, unlike many trucks on the market, was offered with just one powertrain—a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which performed well in low and high gears but struggled mid-range. The shifts were smooth and acceleration was strong for a truck. The Titan lacked engine start/stop functionality, which made it less fuel-efficient but avoided any powertrain rattle at red lights.

The Titan was available with RWD or 4WD, both achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined, with slightly different city and highway ratings. The Titan’s fuel economy was better than the Toyota Tundra but less efficient than some variants of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ford F-150. The Titan offered average ride quality and traditional truck steering with plenty of play, feeling like a full-size truck despite its size. The Titan Pro-4X version included off-road-specific equipment, hill-descent control, and an electronic locking rear differential, making it capable off-road.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's interior included comfortable leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated bottom and backrest cushions. However, the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger seat was a downside for shorter occupants. The Silverado Crew Cab’s back seat was spacious, with a low seating position and impressive thigh support. Rear passengers had access to USB ports, air conditioning vents, and an optional heated seat cushion. The test truck also had a power sliding rear window.

The Silverado excelled in storage options with dual glove compartments, a large center console bin, and hidden compartments in the rear seatback cushions. Depending on the configuration, the Silverado 1500 could haul up to 2,250 pounds of payload and tow up to 13,400 pounds. The LT Trail Boss test truck was capable of handling 2,170 lbs. of payload and towing up to 11,300 lbs. with the Max Trailering Package. Chevy claimed that the Silverado’s cargo box offered more storage room than competitors due to its depth and high sides.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard front bench seat with optional bucket seats, allowing it to seat five or six. The Titan’s front and rear outboard seats utilized Nissan's Zero Gravity design for maximum comfort on long journeys, with available heated and cooled front seats. The Titan offered enough seating space in the front and rear for adults, though smaller individuals might struggle to find an ideal driving position. The center console provided ample storage space, including a smartphone hold.

Nissan offered an optional panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window, enhancing the Titan's interior experience. The Titan’s rear seatbacks folded for additional storage space, and grab handles facilitated easy access. In terms of payload and towing, the Titan’s RWD models could haul up to 1,600 pounds, while 4WD models had a payload capacity of 1,680 pounds. Properly equipped, the Titan could tow up to 9,310 pounds for RWD models and 9,260 pounds for 4WD trucks. Trailer sway control and a trailer brake controller were available.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came equipped with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chevrolet Connected Access services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a high-definition display, navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, wireless device charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. However, the infotainment screen size felt small compared to modern standards, and free trial periods for desirable features like WiFi were short.

The review model included the Advanced Trailering Package, offering up to 15 different camera views, a trailer brake controller, and a Transparent Trailer view. Additional visibility aids included a head-up display and a camera-based rearview mirror, though the test truck did not have these features.

The 2021 Nissan Titan boasted a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen, the largest standard-sized screen in its class. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio. Additional options included navigation, HD Radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power-sliding rear window. The Titan’s WiFi hotspot supported up to seven devices, though a subscription was required.

The infotainment system’s graphics were less modern than competitors, but the interface was responsive. A 7-inch programmable information display in front of the driver offered more information than many rivals. Titans with NissanConnect also featured a 24-hour Nissan Concierge service. The audio system could be upgraded to a Fender Premium Audio System with 10 to 12 speakers, depending on the cab.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited to LTZ and High Country trims. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available on LT and RST trims, but the nearly $60,000 test truck lacked these features.

The Silverado’s crash-test ratings were less than ideal. The NHTSA gave it a 4-star overall rating, with 4-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in frontal collisions. The IIHS rated it Marginal for front passenger protection in a right-side small overlap frontal impact and Good for the driver in a left-side impact. The headlights received a Poor rating.

Every 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, an Around View Monitor camera system, adaptive cruise control, driver-alertness monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and rear door alert.

Nissan backed the Titan with a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best truck warranty in America.