2020 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma was a clean, pure, and simple pickup, though it had its flaws. The back doors had a tinny sound reminiscent of older Toyota trucks, and the flared hood scoop was purely decorative. Despite these quirks, the Tacoma's design was functional and rugged, especially in the TRD Pro trim, which featured redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, and Army Green paint. The interior was straightforward, with a modestly sized touchscreen and durable materials, though it lacked the luxurious feel of some competitors.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Titan was described as handsomely generic. It had a stocky and masculine build but lacked the excitement of some rivals. For 2020, Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, adding some visual interest. The interior of the Titan, especially in lower trims, showcased improved materials and a more modern design. The cloth seats were comfortable, and the new 9-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, offering a more intuitive and higher-resolution interface.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma offered two engine options: a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 was the preferred choice, providing better performance and towing capabilities. The Tacoma's off-road features, such as Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, made it a capable off-roader. However, on paved roads, the Tacoma felt outdated, with slow steering and a noisy V6 engine. Fuel economy was also a downside, with the V6 achieving 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2020 Nissan Titan, on the other hand, 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, the Titan delivered impressive acceleration and towing capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity of 9,370 pounds. The Titan's ride was composed, and it offered a quiet cabin thanks to double-pane front windows and an acoustic-laminated windshield. Fuel economy was acceptable for its class, averaging 16 mpg over a 500-mile week.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's smaller size made it more maneuverable in city environments compared to full-size trucks. It offered a 5- or 6-foot bed with a rail system and optional power outlet and LED lighting. The Double Cab's rear seats were cramped for long trips, and the lack of a rear defroster was a drawback. However, the Tacoma's off-road capabilities and ease of parking were significant advantages.

The 2020 Nissan Titan offered more interior space, especially in the Crew Cab configuration. The King Cab's double-hinged rear doors provided easy access, though rear passengers had to rely on the front doors to open. The Titan's bed featured a factory spray-on liner, LED lights, and a rail system with removable cleats. The Utility package added useful features like a fold-down tailgate step and a 400-watt AC outlet. The interior was spacious, with ample storage options and a new smartphone holder.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a simple and intuitive infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, along with a new USB-C port. The Tacoma also offered wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi. The 360-degree cameras provided useful views for parking and off-road driving, and a suite of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control, was standard.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system was a significant improvement over previous models. The 9-inch touchscreen was quicker and higher in resolution, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. NissanConnect data services offered remote capabilities and automatic updates. The Titan also featured a 7-inch color display in the instrument panel and a new Fender stereo option. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and more.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma came with standard safety features like forward-emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. It scored 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in five of six crash tests.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars. Nissan improved the body structure for 2020, and the Titan now featured standard driver assists, additional airbags, and seatbelt pre-tensioners. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, and 360-degree cameras.