2020 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 carried over its 2019 redesign, presenting a smart evolution from its prior generation. Its straight lines and crisp angles evoked a timeless stoicism reminiscent of trucks from the late '80s and '90s. The interior, almost identical to the 2018 model, now had a flatter dash, resulting in a distinctive jukebox look. The Sierra was available in six trims: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, Denali, and AT4.

The Base model came decently equipped with a V6 engine, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a USB port, and LED headlights. The SLE added another USB port, a WiFi hotspot, an 8-inch touchscreen, and remote keyless entry. The Elevation, offered in double-cab and crew-cab configurations, featured body-color bumpers and 20-inch wheels. Inside, it had heated front seats, remote engine start, and a heated steering wheel. The SLT shared many features with the Denali but had more chrome accents. The AT4 we drove, designed for off-road use, sported all-terrain tires, red tow hooks, and a rugged black leather interior with brown accents.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Titan retained its look from the 2020 refresh, offering three King Cab and five Crew Cab trim levels: S, SL, SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve. Each trim had a distinct exterior and interior design identity. The Titan S and SV featured dark grilles, the SL had a bright chrome grille, and the Platinum Reserve flaunted a satin chrome grille. The Pro-4X trim, geared for off-road enthusiasts, boasted a black grille with lava-red script and tow hooks.

Nissan also revamped the headlights, providing 120% more light output than the 2019 model, with available LED fog lights for enhanced visibility. The truck bed featured four LED light sources and unique tailgate finishers, with the Pro-4X having a black finisher and the Platinum Reserve a satin chrome one. Titan Crew Cab models had a 5.5-foot bed, while the King Cab had a 6.5-foot bed. The Titan also came in eight exterior colors, with Baja Storm on the Pro-4X being particularly attractive. The interior saw significant upgrades, with a modernized center stack, a large infotainment screen, and piano-black trim accents.

In 2020, the GMC Sierra 1500 offered a choice of five engines. The base engine was a 4.3-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. GMC introduced a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivered 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, there was a Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter 6-cylinder generating 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The two V8 engine options included a 5.3-liter with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter V8 in our AT4 model, offering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

All engines were paired with an automatic transmission, either rear-wheel drive or available 4WD. The 10-speed transmission, controlled via a column shifter, enhanced the driving experience. The AT4, with the 6.2-liter V8, delivered powerful acceleration, comfortably towing up to 12,100 pounds. The Sierra AT4 also featured off-road enhancements such as beefed-up skid plates, upgraded suspension, and hill-descent control. However, the off-road setup resulted in a rough on-road ride.

The 2021 Nissan Titan, unlike other trucks, offered a single powertrain—a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The transmission performed well in low and high gears but had difficulty in the mid-range. Nissan offered the Titan with RWD or 4WD, both achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. The 4WD model got 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

The Titan's steering was traditional and truck-like, providing a sense of driving a full-size vehicle. It had an average ride quality, feeling bumpy compared to the competitor's smoother rides. The Titan's payload capacity was up to 1,680 pounds with 4WD, and it could tow up to 9,310 pounds with RWD. The Pro-4X trim added off-road equipment, making it capable on rough terrains, although not quite at the level of specialized models like the Ram TRX or Ford Raptor.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 could be bought in various configurations, including a single cab with a long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, or a full 4-door crew cab available with either standard or short bed. Our test model featured GMC's new carbon-fiber bed and MultiPro tailgate. The carbon-fiber bed reduced weight, improving fuel efficiency. The MultiPro tailgate operated in six ways, serving as a bed extender or steps, and could be opened via the cab, key fob, or gate button. The cabin was packed with storage solutions, including cupholders, cubbies, and cubicles of all kinds. The rear seats folded up to create extra storage space, ensuring plenty of room for valuables.

On the Nissan Titan, a front bench seat was standard, with bucket seats available, allowing the truck to seat five or six passengers. The seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design for enhanced comfort. The Titan had ample seating space in both rows, though petite drivers might have trouble finding an ideal driving position. Its center console provided substantial covered storage space, designed for easy smartphone visibility and charging. Available features included a panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window. Convenient grab handles, folding rear seatbacks, and bag hooks added to the Titan's thoughtful interior layout.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 impressed with its straightforward controls and infotainment system. It featured clear, crisp graphics and a sensible menu. Tactile controls for the radio and climate functions were present alongside a traditional infotainment screen, which was preferred over the massive touchscreens seen in competitors. The AT4 trim included an HUD, wireless charging, and multiple USB ports and outlets, maintaining user-friendly control.

The 2021 Nissan Titan's centerpiece was a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen, offering the largest standard-sized screen in its class. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio came standard. Optional features included navigation, HD radio, additional USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more. The Titan's WiFi hotspot connected up to seven devices. Ahead of the driver was a 7-inch programmable information display. Trucks with NissanConnect included the Nissan Concierge service. The audio system could be upgraded to a Fender Premium Audio System featuring 12 speakers on Crew Cab models.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 included standard safety features like a reversing camera, traction control, and various airbags. The AT4 model came with advanced safety features, including a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and more. The rear camera mirror, a recent GM development, projected a digital image onto the rearview mirror to help with obstructions.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, including 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, and adaptive cruise control. Nissan provided a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best truck warranty in America.