2021 Nissan Titan vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the more rugged looks of its competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels had a unique grille, and the truck's overall appearance was both imposing and refined. The LED headlights on the upper trims were sleek, and the truck's body had a carlike demeanor with rounded edges and smoother panels. The Limited trim featured 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, adding to its upscale look. Inside, the RAM 2500 was a marvel of craftsmanship, especially in the higher trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior boasted soft-grained, perforated leather, intricate stitching, light wood trim, and aluminum speaker covers. The attention to detail extended to the grab handles and shifter knob, and the optional 12-inch vertical touchscreen made the RAM 2500 feel like a class of its own.

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from 2020, offering three King Cab grades and five Crew Cab trim levels, each with distinct interior and exterior designs. The base models, Titan S and SV, featured dark grilles, while the SL had a bright chrome grille, and the Platinum Reserve had a satin chrome one. The Pro-4X model stood out with a black grille and lava-red script logo, along with lava-red tow hooks. The Titan's new headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, and the truck bed featured four sources of LED light. The rear had unique tailgate finishers, with the Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve having black and satin chrome finishers, respectively. The Titan's interior received significant upgrades, including a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim. The Zero Gravity seats were comfortable for long drives, though petite adults might struggle to find an ideal driving position. The Titan offered ample seating and storage space, with thoughtful features like grab handles, folding rear seatbacks, and bag hooks.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel engine with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The V8 trims had the highest payloads, up to 4,380 pounds, and could tow up to 17,350 pounds. The diesel variant could tow up to 19,780 pounds and haul up to 3,060 pounds. The RAM 2500's acceleration was decent, and the diesel engine's exhaust brake was highly effective for hauling large trailers. The truck's ride was comfortable for long distances, though it was less agile and more rigid compared to the RAM 1500. The diesel engine averaged close to 19 mpg over 515 highway miles.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came with a single powertrain option: a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Titan offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined for both. The Titan's towing capacity was up to 9,310 pounds for RWD models and 9,260 pounds for 4WD models, with a payload capacity of up to 1,680 pounds. The Titan's ride quality was average for its class, and its steering had a traditional truck feel. The Pro-4X model featured off-road-centric equipment like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential, making it capable off-road.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths. Single cabs provided the most payload and could seat three with a fold-down center console. Crew Cabs were available with either bed length, while the Mega Cab offered reclining rear seats and additional luxury. The Power Wagon came with a Crew Cab and short bed. The RAM 2500 featured power running boards, a retractable tailgate step, and ample interior space. The truck's bed could be equipped with a spray-in bed liner, LED lighting, and a fifth-wheel hitch. Diesel models had a countdown timer for cold starts and an analog gauge for Diesel Emissions Fluid (DEF) levels.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered a front bench seat as standard, with bucket seats available, allowing the truck to seat five or six. The Zero Gravity seats were comfortable for long drives, though petite adults might struggle with the driving position. The Titan had ample seating space and storage, with a large center console and a small hold for smartphones. The truck offered a panoramic moonroof, power-sliding rear window, and easy-to-reach grab handles. The rear seatbacks could fold, and there were bag hooks under the rear seat cushions.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, with an 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade available. The 12-inch display was a standout feature, offering a high-resolution, user-friendly interface with large maps and customizable shortcuts. The 360-degree cameras and dual rear-view cameras made towing and maneuvering easier. The instrument cluster also featured a large display that duplicated many functions from the main screen.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio. Additional options included navigation, HD Radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The Titan's interface was responsive, though its graphics were less modern compared to competitors. The truck also had a 7-inch programmable information display and an available Fender Premium Audio System with up to 12 speakers.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, an Around View Monitor, adaptive cruise control, and a driver-alertness monitor. The Titan also had a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.