2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

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 SV King Cab 4WD test truck, however, did not feature these updates and was considered plain and drab. The interior, though, showcased improved materials, a glossy 9-inch touchscreen, and a panoramic moonroof, elevating the lower-trim Titan's quality.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma maintained a classic truck appearance with boxy fender flares, a tall hood, and a shield-like grille. It contrasted with the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM midsize twins, avoiding exaggerated features. The Tacoma offered unique styling for different models, such as the Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition, while the TRD Pro featured exclusive elements like a model-specific grille and Lunar Rock color. The Tacoma's body-on-frame construction benefited towing and off-road capability, though it penalized ride and handling. The interior had rugged styling, but material quality was questionable at higher trim levels.

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 impressive acceleration and improved low- and mid-range performance. The Titan's towing capacity reached 9,370 pounds with the towing package, which also included features like adjustable trailer braking and sway control. The Titan's ride was composed, though not as smooth as the Ram 1500, and it averaged 16 mpg over a 500-mile week. The Titan XD variant offered reinforced frame and suspension for higher weights, with a towing capacity of 10,880 pounds and a payload of 2,450 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrain options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, available with both automatic and manual transmissions, featured Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for better fuel economy. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced with TRD models, which included features like upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro model added Fox shocks, a front lift, and wider wheels. The Tacoma's towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, and its payload capacity was 1,685 pounds, though these figures varied by configuration.

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 Titan's interior was spacious, with features like six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports for rear passengers. The optional cargo organizer and Utility package added practical storage solutions and bed features like a spray-on liner, LED lights, and a rail system with removable cleats.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab lacked interior space compared to other midsize pickups, with limited rear headroom and legroom. The front seats also had below-average space, creating a bunker-like feel. The rear seats folded up to reveal storage cubbies, but other in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet. The inner bed was made from sheet-molded composite, a lightweight and rust-resistant material.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system was a significant improvement, with an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen replacing the outdated displays. The 9-inch display was quicker and higher in resolution, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and NissanConnect data services. The system also offered voice searches through Google and automatic updates. The standard stereo was adequate, while the 485-watt Fender stereo was available as an upgrade. The Titan also featured a 7-inch color display in the instrument panel and standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver-assist features.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's base SR trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was functional but not exceptional, with plain graphics and basic functions. Higher trim levels offered a six-speaker JBL audio system and the Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, which was useful for off-road and parking maneuvers.

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 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.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. Headlight ratings varied, but the Tacoma earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. NHTSA gave both Access Cab and Double Cab configurations a four-star overall rating. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.