2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

2020 Nissan Titan
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
$30,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
$30,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Nissan Titan is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 scores 5.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Nissan Titan is the better choice, offering a more powerful engine, practical interior features, and a modern infotainment system with comprehensive safety options.

Overview

MSRP

$36,190

MSRP

$30,100

Average price

$32,058

Average price

$40,932

Listings

145

Listings

3263
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

5.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Uninspired styling
Pros
  • Multiple body styles
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Underwhelming base engine

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 GMC Sierra 1500 Reviews Summary

GMC is the “professional grade” brand at General Motors, but that’s just marketing mumbo jumbo. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is the same thing as a Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but with different styling and a handful of unique features, like an optional carbon-fiber composite cargo bed. This year, GMC makes several changes to its full-size light-duty pickup truck, none of them earth-shattering. This remains a fundamentally appealing truck in need of attention to the details.
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 GMC Sierra 1500
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
$30,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Titan
$36,190MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
$30,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Nissan Titan is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 scores 5.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Nissan Titan is the better choice, offering a more powerful engine, practical interior features, and a modern infotainment system with comprehensive safety options.

Overview
MSRP
$36,190
$30,100
Average price
$32,058
$40,932
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.8
4.9
Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Read full review

5.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Uninspired styling
Pros
  • Multiple body styles
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Underwhelming base engine
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.
GMC is the “professional grade” brand at General Motors, but that’s just marketing mumbo jumbo. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is the same thing as a Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but with different styling and a handful of unique features, like an optional carbon-fiber composite cargo bed. This year, GMC makes several changes to its full-size light-duty pickup truck, none of them earth-shattering. This remains a fundamentally appealing truck in need of attention to the details.
Video
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 GMC Sierra 1500
6/10

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 Pro-4X trim added blacked-out Nissan badges with red lettering and red tow hooks for a more aggressive look. 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 improvements.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was noted for its styling and upscale Denali trim level, which was akin to owning a Mercedes in truck circles. The Sierra AT4 test truck, priced at $66,695, featured a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension, skid plates, and unique design details like red front recovery hooks. The black-on-black Sierra looked good but was difficult to keep clean. Inside, the truck had stiff leather seats, metallic accents, and rubber floor mats with snap-in carpeted inserts. However, the cabin's industrial-themed design felt outdated, and the truck's high price tag did not match the interior quality.

Performance
2020 Nissan Titan
9/10
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
9/10

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 provided strong acceleration and improved low- and mid-range performance. The Titan's towing capacity increased to 9,370 pounds, and it could carry a payload of up to 1,680 pounds. The truck's ride was composed, thanks to its independent front axle and rear leaf springs, and it was quiet with double-pane front windows and an acoustic-laminated windshield. The Titan XD variant, with reinforced frame and upgraded suspension, offered competitive towing and payload capacities but dropped the 5.0-liter Cummins V8 diesel option.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered an affordable Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine for $995, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax provided smooth and responsive performance. The Sierra's Auto 4WD system maintained impressive traction in various weather conditions, and the truck averaged 21.1 mpg during testing. The AT4's off-road suspension handled tough terrain confidently, and the truck's towing capacity reached 9,300 pounds with a payload rating of 2,150 pounds. The Sierra's all-terrain tires and off-roading capabilities made it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

Form and function
2020 Nissan Titan
8/10
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
6/10

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, but rear passengers sacrificed legroom compared to the Crew Cab. The Titan's interior was spacious, with six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports for rear passengers. The optional cargo organizer and Utility package added practical features like lockable bins, 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 further enhanced the Titan's functionality.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 featured large, supportive front seats with power adjustments, heating, and cooling. The rear seats were also heated, and the truck had rear air conditioning vents and a power sliding rear window. High-clearance side rails and the Multipro tailgate made accessing the cargo bed easier. The CarbonPro Edition package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed, increasing payload capacity and improving durability. The Sierra's bed held between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, with up to 12 cargo tie-downs. However, the cab's storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

Technology
2020 Nissan Titan
7/10
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
7/10

The 2020 Nissan Titan's new infotainment system featured an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen, with the 9-inch display offering higher resolution and faster response times. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with NissanConnect data services, enhanced connectivity. The 7-inch color display in the instrument panel provided detailed information, and the standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 included front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The infotainment system featured a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, with the 8-inch display offering physical menu shortcut buttons and excellent voice recognition. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system provided robust connectivity. The Sierra AT4's Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' audio systems.

Safety
2020 Nissan Titan
8/10
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
4/10

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 safety. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras. A rear-door alert was standard.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on the Denali trim. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat were available. Adaptive cruise control was optional on higher trims. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were mixed, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from IIHS for small-overlap frontal-impact protection and LATCH anchor accessibility.

Cost Effectiveness
2020 Nissan Titan
6/10
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2/10
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