2021 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 was designed with a classic, timeless truck look that stood apart from its more aggressive peers. With clean lines and a bold, blocky grille, Ford’s designers struck a balance between confidence and restraint. Even after years of use, the F-150's understated style meant it would still be aesthetically pleasing, providing appeal even to third or fourth owners. Inside, the F-150's cabin featured a straightforward, mechanical-looking dashboard. While some trims were outfitted with hard plastics, others introduced a mix of soft-touch materials and leather. Despite the upgrade, it lacked the opulence of the Ram 1500. The trim levels varied significantly from the workmanlike XL to the luxurious Limited, adding features like push-button start, heated and cooled seats, Bang & Olufsen sound systems, and even massaging seats. Off-road enthusiasts found the Raptor particularly intriguing with its wider body, lifted suspension, and specialized off-road gear.

Transitioning to the 2021 Nissan Titan, it retained the design from its 2020 refresh, with each trim level—S, SL, SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve—possessing distinct exterior characteristics. The base models, Titan S and Titan SV, sported dark grilles, while the Titan SL gleamed with a chrome grille and the Platinum Reserve shone with satin chrome. Pro-4X stood out with its black grille and lava-red accents. The headlights on the 2021 Titan were significantly improved, delivering 120% more light output compared to previous models. The truck bed featured four sources of LED illumination, enhancing visibility. The Titan also impressed with its distinctive LED taillights and tailored tailgate finishers. Inside, the 2021 Titan made a leap forward with a modern center stack, a large infotainment screen, and piano-black plastic trim. However, the steering wheel design lagged behind, feeling dated compared to the rest of the cabin.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a variety of engine options, starting with a 3.3-liter V6 making 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque for the XL and XLT trims. Drivers could also opt for a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 producing 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. A 5.0-liter V8, delivering 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, catered to those preferring more cylinders, with additional choices including a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 generating 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. Most trims came equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with a Drive Mode selector offering Normal, Tow/Haul, Snow/Wet, EcoSelect, and Sport modes. The F-150's towing capabilities stood out, with a maximum capacity of 12,300 pounds when properly equipped. The Raptor variant offered even more specialized off-road performance, featuring a wider body, flared fenders, and an advanced Fox Racing Shox system with live valve technology.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Titan was offered with a single powertrain—a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. This made it the best-in-class standard powertrain. Although it required premium fuel to hit these numbers, the engine paired smoothly with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While it struggled mid-range, the shifts were generally smooth and steady. Fuel efficiency was average, with both the RWD and 4WD models getting an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. The Titan’s towing capacity was lower than the F-150, with a maximum of 9,310 pounds for RWD models and 9,260 pounds for 4WD variants. The Pro-4X trim, designed for off-road adventures, included hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential, helping it perform capably off-road, though it couldn't quite match specialized machines like the Ford Raptor.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered versatility with three cab sizes—Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew—and three bed sizes (5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot). The Regular Cab presented a traditional single cab, while the SuperCab featured rear half-doors requiring the front doors to open for access. The SuperCrew was the most spacious, providing ample backseat legroom and a large load floor. The truck boasted numerous storage compartments and deep in-door pockets. Additionally, the F-150's bed step, although helpful, was less robust compared to GM trucks' integrated corner bed steps.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Titan provided seating for either five or six, depending on whether you chose the standard front bench seat or optional bucket seats. The Zero Gravity design of the seats offered substantial comfort for long journeys, with heated and cooled options available. However, petite adults might struggle to find an ideal driving position. While the Titan offered generous interior space, some rival pickups exceeded it in terms of legroom. The center console storage in the Titan was well-sized, and the truck included thoughtful features like grab handles, folding rear seatbacks, and bag hooks.

The 2020 Ford F-150’s technology ranged from a basic AM/FM radio with an auxiliary audio input jack in the XL trim, to the SYNC 3 infotainment system in higher trims. SYNC 3 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition, and smart-charging USB ports. Navigation was a breeze thanks to large buttons and fonts, and intuitive menu designs. The FordPass system allowed remote start and vehicle location services. Higher trims also offered the Bang & Olufsen sound system with superior audio quality.

The 2021 Nissan Titan stepped up the game with a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen— the largest in its class. Standard offerings included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio. The truck could be upgraded with navigation, dual-zone climate control, remote start, and more. The Titan’s infotainment system, while responsive, had less modern graphics compared to other trucks. A notable feature was the 7-inch programmable driver information display. The Fender Premium Audio System, with up to 12 speakers in Crew Cab models, provided an excellent audio experience.

In terms of safety, the 2020 Ford F-150 came well-equipped with a full array of airbags, curve control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Ford made pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking standard across all trims. Higher trims offered Ford Co-Pilot360, which included features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist was another innovative feature that simplified trailer maneuvering. The F-150 SuperCrew achieved 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA and top marks from IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Titan matched up with its own robust safety suite, Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included standard features such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional available safety features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, an Around View Monitor camera system, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Titan also boasted the best truck warranty in America with five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage.