2020 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Toyota Tundra

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was available in several trims: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. As you moved up the trim levels, the Tundra became more luxurious. It offered Double Cab and CrewMax cab styles, with three bed lengths depending on the configuration. Prices ranged from $33,425 to $52,930 before destination charges and options. The TRD Pro CrewMax 4WD, the most expensive version, featured an exclusive Army Green color, black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, and a rugged, military-grade appearance. Inside, it had black leather with red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery. Despite its aged design, the interior was covered in industrial-grade plastic, which felt out of place at higher price points.

The 2020 Nissan Titan maintained a handsomely generic look, with new exterior paints, wheels, and three grille choices depending on the trim. The Pro-4X trim featured gray with red accents, while the Platinum Reserve had chrome finishes. New LED headlights and taillights added a modern touch. The SV King Cab 4WD test truck lacked these styling tweaks, with plain halogen headlights and a drab exterior. However, the interior impressed with better materials, a glossy 9-inch touchscreen, and a larger instrument panel display. The cloth seats were comfortable, and the panoramic moonroof added a touch of luxury. The lower-trim Titan showcased real quality, though it could benefit from the higher trims' spiffier lights and tailgate finishers.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. It had a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 1,730 pounds in the SR Double Cab with RWD. The TRD Pro model came standard with a 4WD system, BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox off-road shocks, a stainless-steel TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine sounded sensational but was loud. The Tundra handled well on various terrains, though its size was a liability on narrow trails. It had a tight turning radius but suffered from excessive wind noise at high speeds. The EPA rated the Tundra 4WD at 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined, with an average of 14.3 mpg during a week of driving.

The 2020 Nissan Titan boasted a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque on premium gasoline, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. It offered improved low- and mid-range acceleration and strong braking performance. The Titan could tow up to 9,370 pounds and carry a 1,680-pound payload with the towing package, which included a tow mode, adjustable trailer braking, and extended side-view mirrors. The Titan's ride was composed, with standard double-pane front windows and an acoustic-laminated windshield for a quieter cabin. The EPA ratings were not available, but it averaged 16 mpg over a 500-mile week. The Titan XD, a tweener truck, had a reinforced frame, extended wheelbase, and upgraded suspension, rear axle, and brakes. It could tow up to 10,880 pounds and carry a 2,450-pound payload on gasoline.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra, built in Texas, had a spacious interior. The CrewMax's rear seating area was particularly large, with a low and flat rear bench. The front leather-bound chairs were supportive and comfortable for long drives. Storage was abundant, except for the small glove compartment and limited backseat storage. The rear seat cushions flipped up for extra floor space. The Tundra's bed was basic, with an optional spray-in bedliner, tie-down hooks, and bed rails. It lacked advanced features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates found in competitors, emphasizing simplicity.

The 2020 Nissan Titan, without the single cab, started with the King Cab and its 6.5-foot bed. The Crew Cab offered a 5.5-foot bed. The King Cab's double-hinged rear doors could lock at 90 degrees or fold back 180 degrees, providing a pillarless design for easy cargo or passenger access. Rear passengers had ample amenities, including six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports. The optional cargo organizer on the rear floor featured lockable bins and a flat parcel shelf. The center console had a smartphone holder and removable cupholder tray for additional storage. The Utility package added a factory spray-on liner, LED bed lights, cargo hooks, a rail system with removable cleats, a fold-down tailgate step, and a 400-watt AC outlet.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system, despite its dated appearance, featured modern software. Lower trims had a 7-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen. All versions included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and free trial subscriptions to safety and WiFi services. The TRD Pro had dynamic navigation, voice recognition, point-of-interest search, connected services, and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system. The system included stereo knobs and main menu shortcut buttons but relied on virtual buttons for radio presets, which could be frustrating in a truck. The Tundra lacked advanced towing technology, offering only a reversing camera.

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 screen was quicker, higher in resolution, and featured modern, intuitive controls. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and NissanConnect data services, including emergency dialing, stolen vehicle alerts, and remote capabilities. The system updated automatically over the air. The Titan offered a 485-watt Fender stereo with 10 or 12 speakers, including a subwoofer. The standard stereo was adequate, with four USB ports, including one USB-C. The 7-inch color display in the instrument panel provided detailed information. Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on the Titan, included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's safety was not its strong point. While it came standard with Toyota Safety Sense and offered a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, its crash-test performance was lacking. The IIHS rated the Tundra CrewMax as Good in older tests but gave it Marginal and Poor ratings in small-overlap, frontal-impact tests. The truck's headlights were rated Marginal. The NHTSA gave the Tundra 5 stars for side-impact protection, 4 stars for frontal-impact protection, and 4 stars for rollover resistance with 4WD. The RWD version received a 3-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. The 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars, with top rankings for side impact and 4 out of 5 stars for front passengers. After improving the body structure, the Titan Crew Cab received Good ratings in all six IIHS crash tests. The King Cab rated Good in four tests but was not rated by NHTSA. The Titan's safety features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, 360-degree cameras, and a rear-door alert. It also had two additional airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners for the rear.