2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2020 Nissan Titan
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$29,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$29,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Nissan Titan was 7.5 out of 10, while the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 scored 5.5 out of 10. Given these ratings, the 2020 Nissan Titan stands out as the clear winner. It provides a robust V8 engine, advanced safety features, and a significantly upgraded infotainment system, making it the better choice for consumers seeking a reliable and powerful full-size truck.

Overview

MSRP

$36,190

MSRP

$29,300

Average price

$31,832

Average price

$36,212

Listings

139

Listings

6509
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

5.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Uninspired styling
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Multiple body styles
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Poor fuel economy

2020 Nissan Titan Reviews Summary

Not many shoppers pick the Titan over a Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, or Ram 1500. Nissan has redesigned the Titan only once since its 2004 model-year debut, and twice over, it's been mediocre. Just as you might have done, we've ignored the Titan since our last test in 2017. But for 2020, Nissan has responded to our complaints about the Titan with major strides in technology, safety, and overall value—not just among other Titans, but all full-size pickups. We're diving in for a closer look.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Reviews Summary

Brand loyalty runs rampant among truck owners, explaining how the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado has retained its status as the second most popular vehicle in America despite the arguable need for improvement. Well, that, and big, juicy rebates to keep ‘em moving off dealership lots. This is a fundamentally sound truck, but it needs greater attention to the details. Perhaps that will happen with a rumored makeover for the 2022 model year.
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

5.6L 400 hp V8

Engine

4.3L 285 hp V6 Flex Fuel Vehicle

Drive Train

4X2

Drive Train

4X2

Seating Capacity

6

Seating Capacity

3

Horsepower

400 hp @ 5800 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

16

MPG City

16

MPG Highway

22

MPG Highway

21
2020 Nissan Titan
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$29,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$29,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Nissan Titan was 7.5 out of 10, while the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 scored 5.5 out of 10. Given these ratings, the 2020 Nissan Titan stands out as the clear winner. It provides a robust V8 engine, advanced safety features, and a significantly upgraded infotainment system, making it the better choice for consumers seeking a reliable and powerful full-size truck.

Overview
MSRP
$36,190
$29,300
Average price
$31,832
$36,212
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.8
4.6
Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Read full review

5.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Uninspired styling
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Multiple body styles
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Poor fuel economy
Summary
Not many shoppers pick the Titan over a Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, or Ram 1500. Nissan has redesigned the Titan only once since its 2004 model-year debut, and twice over, it's been mediocre. Just as you might have done, we've ignored the Titan since our last test in 2017. But for 2020, Nissan has responded to our complaints about the Titan with major strides in technology, safety, and overall value—not just among other Titans, but all full-size pickups. We're diving in for a closer look.
Brand loyalty runs rampant among truck owners, explaining how the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado has retained its status as the second most popular vehicle in America despite the arguable need for improvement. Well, that, and big, juicy rebates to keep ‘em moving off dealership lots. This is a fundamentally sound truck, but it needs greater attention to the details. Perhaps that will happen with a rumored makeover for the 2022 model year.
Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
5.6L 400 hp V8
4.3L 285 hp V6 Flex Fuel Vehicle
Drive Train
4X2
4X2
Seating Capacity
6
3
Horsepower
400 hp @ 5800 rpm
MPG City
16
16
MPG Highway
22
21
Look and feel
2020 Nissan Titan
7/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
6/10

In 2020, the Nissan Titan maintained a look that was both robust and somewhat understated. Described as “handsomely generic,” the Titan showcased a stocky and muscular aesthetic built on solid bones, yet it lacked that dynamic flair that made competitors like the Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 stand out. Even with the introduction of new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, the Titan struggled to leave a lasting impression. The three grille options varied by trim level, featuring black with a body-color surround for lower trims, all chrome for upper trims, and gray with red accents for the Pro-4X. The corresponding tailgates echoed these designs, with chrome on the Platinum Reserve and matte gray on the Pro-4X with embossed “T” logos that resembled cattle horns. The new LED headlights, with their dark-tinted housings and sharp LED running lamps, along with the restyled LED taillights, attempted to add a touch of sophistication and spice.

The interior of the lower-trim SV King Cab 4WD, despite lacking the more stylish elements of higher trims, impressed with its better-quality materials, particularly on the soft upper dash and door panels. The cloth seats, adorned with diamond stitching, felt notably comfortable. The introduction of a 9-inch touchscreen and larger instrument panel display, alongside options like a panoramic moonroof, elevated the interior quality significantly. This revamped interior brought the Titan closer to a sense of real quality, even if it still couldn’t rival its flashier competitors.

Conversely, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 projected a more striking presence on the road. With three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, each presenting a unique look, the Silverado offered something for almost every taste. Our test truck, an LTZ trim with a crew cab and short bed, came in a vibrant Northsky Blue with ample chrome accents and polished 20-inch aluminum wheels. This combination granted it an attractive and commanding posture.

However, the interior of the Silverado fell short of expectations. Despite features like silver accent trim and extensive storage options, the cabin felt dated with glossy plastic and large panel joints detracting from a sense of quality. The infotainment screens were smaller compared to those in rivals, and the overall interior lacked the finesse expected from a modern full-size truck.

Performance
2020 Nissan Titan
9/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
7/10

The 2020 Nissan Titan boasted a powerhouse under the hood with its 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when running on premium gasoline. This engine, combined with a new 9-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and enhanced low- and mid-range performance. In terms of towing and hauling, the Titan carried up to a 1,680-pound payload and could tow up to 9,370 pounds when equipped with the towing package, which also included a tow mode, adjustable trailer braking with sway control, and extended side-view mirrors. The Titan’s ride, although not as smooth or connected as a Ram 1500's, remained composed thanks to its independent front axle and rear leaf springs. The cabin was notably quiet due to double-pane front windows and an acoustic-laminated windshield. The previous diesel option, a 5.0-liter Cummins V8, was dropped for 2020, making the XD variant the sole choice for higher weights with slightly reduced towing and payload capacities compared to its 2019 counterpart.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a range of engine options, but the Duramax turbodiesel engine in our test truck stood out. With 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm, it offered smooth acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency, delivering an average of 22.6 mpg in combined driving. The Duramax’s towing capacity was 9,500 pounds with RWD and 9,100 pounds with 4WD, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. However, the Silverado’s maximum towing and payload capacities were far higher with other engine configurations, reaching up to 13,300 pounds for towing and 2,280 pounds for payload with the right setup. Despite its agility in various driving conditions, the Silverado’s standard suspension allowed excess body movement on the highway, and its off-road performance revealed a need for the Z71 Off-Road Package to handle rougher terrains better.

Form and function
2020 Nissan Titan
8/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
7/10

The 2020 Nissan Titan offered 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 were particularly practical, allowing for extensive cargo access despite limited legroom compared to the Crew Cab. The interior provided ample space for storage, including a new smartphone holder and a multifunctional center console. The bed, enhanced by the Utility package, included a factory spray-on liner, LED lights, cargo hooks, and a versatile rail system with removable cleats. A fold-down tailgate step and a 400-watt AC outlet added to the bed’s functionality.

In comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 excelled in interior space and cargo capacity. The crew cab provided vast amounts of headroom and legroom for rear passengers, with available heated outboard seats and a power sliding rear window. Storage solutions included dual glove compartments and in-cushion rear seat storage, though they lacked secure storage for valuables. Chevrolet claimed the deepest and roomiest bed among competitors, equipped with the useful CornerStep bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The optional Multi-Flex tailgate offered six different configurations, enhancing the truck’s versatility.

Technology
2020 Nissan Titan
7/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
6/10

The 2020 Nissan Titan introduced a significant upgrade in its infotainment system with either an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen. The 9-inch display, with its modern and intuitive interface, supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. NissanConnect services provided a seamless integration with features like remote start and emergency dialing. The 7-inch color instrument panel display offered detailed vehicle information. Nissan Safety Shield 360 brought a suite of advanced driver-assist features as standard, including automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, while offering the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 with an 8-inch HD display, lagged behind competitors in screen size. However, the system was responsive and visually appealing, with features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims included enhanced voice recognition and wireless smartphone charging. The Silverado also offered a head-up display and a rear camera mirror, though the standard Bose audio system lacked premium sound quality. Advanced trailering technologies were available but didn’t measure up to rivals.

Safety
2020 Nissan Titan
8/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
3/10
The 2020 Nissan Titan’s safety credentials were bolstered by structural improvements and a range of standard safety features. Although official ratings for the 2020 model weren’t available, the 2019 Crew Cab had received favorable crash-test scores. With enhancements in body structure and additional airbags, along with features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system, the Titan promised improved safety.
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