2020 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Jeep Gladiator

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator made quite an impression during its debut. On a warm day in Los Angeles, the Firecracker Red Gladiator Overland turned heads and sparked conversations everywhere it went. People were eager to photograph and film the new truck, making it a spectacle on the Pacific Coast Highway. Despite its popularity, not everyone was a fan of its design. One neighbor even described it as "ugly" but was still curious about its price. The Gladiator came in four trims: Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon, all equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Prices ranged from $33,545 for the base Sport to $43,545 for the Rubicon, with additional costs for options like an automatic transmission and a hardtop.

The 2020 Nissan Titan, while solid and masculine, didn't stand out as much in terms of style. For 2020, Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, depending on the trim level. The Pro-4X trim added some spice with blacked-out badges and red accents. My test truck, an SV King Cab 4WD, lacked these styling tweaks and felt plain, except for its improved interior. The cloth seats were comfortable, and the materials used in the cabin were of higher quality than previous models. The 9-inch touchscreen and panoramic moonroof added a touch of modernity and luxury to the otherwise generic design.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, performed admirably on the road. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and speedy acceleration. However, towing a 5,000-pound trailer did cause some strain, especially on hills. Off-road, the Rubicon trim excelled with its Rock-Trac 4WD system, 84:1 crawl ratio, and various off-road features. The Overland trim, while less intense, still managed rocky trails with ease. The Gladiator's steering was slow and vague, and the live-axle suspension made for a bumpy ride. Fuel efficiency was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an average of 20.3 mpg during my test drive.

The 2020 Nissan Titan boasted a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The new 9-speed automatic transmission improved acceleration and responsiveness. The Titan's towing capacity increased to 9,370 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,680 pounds. The towing package added useful features like adjustable trailer braking and sway control. The Titan's ride was composed, thanks to its independent front axle and rear leaf springs, and it was relatively quiet with double-pane front windows. Fuel efficiency was acceptable at 16 mpg over a 500-mile week. The Titan XD, with its reinforced frame and upgraded suspension, offered even higher towing and payload capacities.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed, with the tailgate down, could accommodate 95% of motorcycle designs. The maximum payload was 1,600 pounds, and the tailgate's step load rating was 1,800 pounds. The bed was shallow but featured various cargo tie-downs and a middle mode for hauling large items. The Overland trim included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable black cloth upholstery. The cab was spacious, with plenty of room for passengers and storage. The Gladiator's convertible options, including a removable hardtop and soft top, added versatility but required careful planning for storage and weather conditions.

The 2020 Nissan Titan offered two cab options: the King Cab with a 6.5-foot bed and the Crew Cab with a 5.5-foot bed. The King Cab's double-hinged rear doors provided easy access, though rear passengers needed the front doors to open first. The interior was roomy, with ample legroom and storage options. The optional cargo organizer on the rear floor and the center console's smartphone holder added convenience. The Utility package included a spray-on bed liner, LED lights, cargo hooks, and a rail system for tie-downs. The fold-down tailgate step and 400-watt AC outlet in the bed were practical features for various tasks.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered basic but functional technology. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio with the mid-level Uconnect 4 system. The top infotainment system, available on the Overland trim, included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. The system was user-friendly, with responsive inputs and large on-screen buttons. The Off-Road Pages real-time performance tracking system was a useful addition for off-road enthusiasts. A unique feature was the removable Bluetooth speaker, which could be taken on outdoor adventures.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system was a significant upgrade from previous models. The 9-inch touchscreen, with its sharp and modern design, was quick and intuitive. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and NissanConnect data services. The system also offered voice searches through Google and automatic over-the-air updates. The 7-inch color display in the instrument panel provided detailed information, including directions and auxiliary gauges. The optional 485-watt Fender stereo, with 10 or 12 speakers, delivered high-quality sound. The Titan also featured four USB ports, including a USB-C, and standard Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included various driver-assist technologies.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional Active Safety and Advanced Safety Groups. The Active Safety Group included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking-assist sensors, and LED taillights. The Advanced Safety Group added adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. My Overland test truck had both packages, and the adaptive cruise control was particularly useful on long drives. However, the Gladiator lacked automatic emergency braking, and its crash protection ratings were not yet available, leading to a conservative safety score.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. The 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars overall, with top marks for side impact. Improvements in body structure and standard driver assists, along with additional airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, enhanced the Titan's safety. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras. A rear-door alert was standard, ensuring nothing was left behind in the backseat.