2020 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 showcased a more restrained design approach compared to aggressive, abstract designs like that of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The clean lines and blocky grille of the F-150 exuded confidence without being overbearing. Its styling was timeless, ensuring that it aged gracefully and remained appealing even when passed on to its third owner. The interior featured a straightforward, mechanical-looking dash that seemed cold and unwelcoming before startup. However, activation brought life to the dash and the infotainment system. While hard plastics dominated both lower and upper trims, higher trims added some soft-touch materials and leather but still fell short of the luxury level offered by the Ram 1500. The F-150 prioritized durability, creating an interior that could withstand heavy use over time.

Trim levels varied from the basic XL, which included steel wheels, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio, to the opulent Limited trim that boasted premium leather upholstery, satin aluminum trim, and a dual-panel moonroof. Mid-level trims like the Lariat offered push-button start, leather-trimmed seats, and dual-zone climate control. The King Ranch trim added a unique western vibe with saddle-leather upholstery and a premium sound system. The Raptor focused on off-roading with big fenders, a wider body, and specialized gear. Each trim level brought a different flavor to match different needs and preferences.

The 2020 Nissan Titan maintained a "handsomely generic" appeal, stocky and masculine but failing to stand out in a crowd. Despite new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, it lacked the excitement seen in competitors like the Ram 1500 or the Chevrolet Silverado. However, the Titan did add restyled LED headlights, tailgates matching the grille styles, and off-road accents on the Pro-4X trim. The interior of the lower trims improved significantly in terms of material quality, offering a soft upper dash, door panels, and cloth seats with a diamond-stitch pattern. The 9-inch touchscreen entailed a significant upgrade from previous models, adding a panoramic moonroof and ensuring the Titan finally showcased real quality, even in its lower trims.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a standard 3.3-liter V6 engine on the XL and XLT trims, producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Alternative engines included a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 generating 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and a more robust 5.0-liter V8 with 395 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, the most powerful option, delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 was also available, putting out 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission was standard on XL and XLT, while other trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with various drive modes. The F-150 excelled in towing capacity, capable of pulling up to 12,300 pounds with the right setup. It handled surprisingly well for a full-size pickup, with responsive steering and a manageable turning radius. The Raptor trim, specifically designed for off-roading, offered a unique driving experience with a lifted suspension and multiple terrain management modes.

The 2020 Nissan Titan was equipped with a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium gasoline. This was paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission, enhancing low- and mid-range acceleration. The Titan's towing capabilities improved, with the ability to tow up to 9,370 pounds and a payload of 1,680 pounds. The towing package added useful features like a tow mode for the transmission, adjustable trailer braking with sway control, and extended side-view mirrors. The Titan's steering and ride weren't as refined as the Ram 1500, but it remained composed on its independent front axle and rear leaf springs. Although the EPA ratings were not available, an average of 16 mpg was noted over a 500-mile test. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with optional 4-wheel drive across all trims.

The Ford F-150 offered three cab sizes—Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew—and three bed sizes—5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, and 8 feet. The Regular Cab provided a traditional single-cab design, while the SuperCab included rear half-doors that required the front doors to be opened first. The SuperCrew, with full four-door access, offered an incredible amount of backseat legroom and a flip-up rear seat for additional cargo space. Deep in-door pockets, ample cubbies, and a large center console storage bin added to its practicality. The F-150’s various configurations ensured that it could cater to different needs, whether for work or family use.

The 2020 Nissan Titan dropped its single cab option, making the King Cab with a 6.5-foot bed the new starting point. The Crew Cab, with full-size doors, featured a 5.5-foot bed. The King Cab’s double-hinged rear doors could lock at 90 degrees or fold back almost 180 degrees, facilitating easy loading of cargo. Inside, the Titan impressed with plenty of passenger space and innovative features like a cargo organizer on the rear floor, lockable bins, and a center console with a removable smartphone holder. The optional Utility package included a factory spray-on liner, LED lights, four cargo hooks, and a rail system with removable cleats. A fold-down tailgate step and a 400-watt AC outlet on the side of the bed were also available.

The 2020 Ford F-150 XL trim offered a basic AM/FM radio with an auxiliary audio input jack and a simple stereo setup. The SYNC infotainment system was optional on the XL, adding a touchscreen and USB ports. Upgrading to the XLT introduced the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition, and smart-charging USB ports. SYNC 3 was praised for its user-friendly interface and simplicity. XLT and higher trims also featured FordPass with a 4G WiFi modem, allowing remote vehicle control and status checks. Optional features included a Kicker subwoofer on lower trims and a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen on higher trims.

The 2020 Nissan Titan significantly upgraded its infotainment system with either an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen. The 9-inch screen offered higher resolution, faster response times, and a modern interface with features like pinch-to-zoom for maps and customizable home-screen menus. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enhanced connectivity, while the NissanConnect data services included emergency dialing, vehicle alerts, and remote capabilities. The system could also update itself over the air. A 7-inch color display in the instrument panel provided essential information like directions and auxiliary gauges. Standard safety features in the Titan included Nissan Safety Shield 360 with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams.

For safety, the 2020 Ford F-150 included a full range of front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Additional features included rain-sensing headlights, an anti-theft system, and the SOS post-crash alert system. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite added automatic high beams, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier by automating steering inputs. The F-150 SuperCrew received 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests, while the SuperCab and Regular Cab got 4 out of 5 stars. IIHS crash tests also rated the SuperCrew highly.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of the review. However, the 2019 Crew Cab received 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Improvements in body structure and additional airbags likely enhanced safety for 2020. Standard driver assists included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras, with optional features like a rear-door alert to prevent leaving items in the backseat.