2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

The 2020 Nissan Titan was described as handsomely generic, with a stocky and masculine build. Despite its solid construction, it lacked the excitement and standout features of competitors like the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado. For 2020, Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, along with restyled LED headlights and taillights. The interior of the lower-trim SV King Cab 4WD impressed with better materials, comfortable cloth seats, a 9-inch touchscreen, and a panoramic moonroof, showcasing real quality.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, particularly in its Limited trim, exuded a stately yet purposeful presence. Gleaming in Iconic Silver paint with a chrome grille and polished wheels, it was equipped with plush leather seats and a high-end audio system. The power-deploying running boards made entry easy, and the interior offered cavernous space, large seats, and plenty of storage. The F-350 came in various trims, with the higher-end ones featuring luxurious interiors. The test truck, a crew cab with a single-rear-wheel axle and standard cargo bed, included a turbodiesel V8 engine and 4WD, with an MSRP of $87,655.

The 2020 Nissan Titan featured a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination allowed the Titan to accelerate quickly and handle towing and hauling tasks efficiently. The Titan could carry up to a 1,680-pound payload and tow 9,370 pounds with the towing package. The ride was composed, thanks to its independent front axle and rear leaf springs, and it was quiet with standard double-pane front windows and an acoustic-laminated windshield. The Titan XD, a heavier-duty version, offered reinforced frame and suspension for higher weights, with towing and payload capacities of 10,880 pounds and 2,450 pounds, respectively.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, powered by a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, delivered 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power, it averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided effortless acceleration and towing capabilities. The Tremor off-road package enhanced its off-road performance with a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires. The F-350's adaptive steering and stout brakes required acclimation but performed well in various driving conditions.

The 2020 Nissan Titan offered a King Cab with a 6.5-foot bed and a 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 spacious, with six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports for rear passengers. The optional cargo organizer and Utility package added practicality to the bed, with features like a spray-on liner, LED lights, cargo hooks, and a rail system for tie-downs.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided ample space for five people, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The interior featured a large center console, dual glove compartments, and door panel bins for storage. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with heated outboard seats, air conditioning vents, and power ports. The cargo bed was accessible with an integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step, and the BoxLink system made securing cargo easy. The optional spray-in bedliner and LED box lighting added convenience.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system featured an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen, with the 9-inch display offering higher resolution and modern functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, NissanConnect data services, and a 7-inch color display in the instrument panel. The system supported voice searches through Google and over-the-air updates. The standard stereo was adequate, with a premium Fender stereo available as an option. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided a suite of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services, and a B&O premium sound system. The screen size was a drawback for parking and using trailer-assist features. The system occasionally hung or ignored inputs, but separate stereo and climate controls helped limit interaction with the screen. The driver information display offered extensive menus for safety, towing, off-roading, and efficiency. The F-350 also featured a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS for 2020, but the 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars overall. Improvements in body structure and standard driver assists, along with additional airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, enhanced its safety. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing about 7,300 pounds, likely offered good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. Available driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. Blind-spot monitoring required proper mirror positioning for effectiveness. The Sync 3 system's 911 Assist feature could contact emergency responders after a collision.