2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

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 However, the cabin's industrial-themed design felt outdated, and the truck's high price tag did not match the interior quality.

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.

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.

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.

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.