2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed 2020 look, offering three King Cab grades and five Crew Cab trim levels, each with distinct interior and exterior designs. The base model Titan S and Titan SV featured dark grilles, while the Titan SL had a bright chrome grille, and the Titan Platinum Reserve sported a satin chrome one. The Titan Pro-4X stood out with a black grille and lava-red script logo, complemented by lava red tow hooks. The refresh also included new headlights with 120% more light output than the 2019 model, available LED fog lights, and four sources of LED light for the truck’s bed. The rear had LED taillights and unique tailgate finishers, with the Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve having black and satin chrome finishers, respectively. The Titan Crew Cab models had a 5.5-foot bed, while the King Cab had a 6.5-foot bed, both featuring a Utili-track Bed Channel System, spray-in bedliner, 100-volt power outlet, and damped tailgate. The Titan was available in eight exterior colors, with the brown Baja Storm color being particularly unique.

Inside, the Titan received significant upgrades, including a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim, making the center stack modern and attractive. The truck’s upholstery and seat design were comparable to GMC and Chevrolet products, a notable improvement over the Toyota Tundra. However, the steering wheel design was dated, with small buttons that were difficult to use with gloves. The Nissan Titan XD, a separate truck with different powertrain options, was not covered in this review.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Limited, gleaming in Iconic Silver paint, exuded a stately yet purposeful look, equipped with plush leather seats and a high-end audio system. The power-deploying running boards made climbing into the cab easy, revealing a spacious interior with large seats and plenty of storage. The F-350 came in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, with the higher trims offering luxury-oriented interiors. The truck was available in regular, extended (SuperCab), and crew cab (Super Crew) styles, with a standard or long cargo bed and a single or dual rear-wheel-axle setup. The test truck was a crew cab with a single-rear-wheel axle and standard cargo bed, featuring the available turbodiesel V8 engine and four-wheel drive (4WD). The MSRP, including a spray-in bedliner and destination charge, was $87,655.

The F-350 Limited’s interior featured soft two-tone leather with exposed stitching, an extended-leather treatment for the dashboard, a simulated suede headliner, and real wood and aluminum trim. A panoramic glass sunroof added natural light, enhancing the luxurious feel. Despite its slightly cheesy “4x4” graphics, the F-350 Limited convincingly played the part of a luxury pickup truck.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. However, premium fuel was required to achieve these numbers. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which performed well in low and high gears but struggled mid-range. The Titan offered good acceleration, though it lacked engine start/stop functionality, impacting fuel efficiency. The Titan was available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), both achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. The Titan’s steering was traditional, with plenty of play, and its ride quality was average for the class. RWD versions could haul up to 1,600 pounds, while 4WD models had a 1,680-pound payload capacity. Properly equipped Titans could tow up to 9,310 pounds for RWD models and 9,260 pounds for 4WD trucks. The Titan Pro-4X featured off-road-centric equipment, including hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential, making it capable off-road.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, with its 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, averaged 15.4 mpg unloaded and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The Powerstroke diesel generated 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, providing remarkable power. The diesel engine emitted the characteristic big-rig clatter but did not visibly belch smoke. The F-350’s 10-speed automatic transmission performed well, especially when hauling loaded trailers. The Tremor off-road package, with a front suspension lift, progressive-rate springs, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires, offered 10.4 inches of ground clearance and a water fording capability of 33 inches. The F-350’s adaptive steering, standard with Limited trim, adjusted the steering ratio based on speed, though it still required plenty of wheel-work in urban environments. The brakes were stout but required acclimation to the pressure needed. The engine-braking system was useful for mountain driving.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered a front bench seat as standard, with bucket seats available, seating five or six. The front and rear outboard seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, providing comfort for long distances. Heated and cooled front seats were available, though petite adults might struggle to find a comfortable driving position. The Titan had ample seating space and storage, with a large center console and a small hold for smartphones. An available panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window added convenience. The Titan’s grab handles, folding rear seatbacks, and bag hooks under the rear seat cushions were thoughtful additions.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty’s crew cab provided ample space for five people, with power-adjustable front seats that were heated and ventilated. The driving position was commanding, offering a lofty view of the road. The large center console, dual glove compartments, dashboard tray, and door panel bins provided plenty of storage. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, though the seat cushion was slightly lower than expected. The test truck had heated rear outboard seats, air conditioning vents, and numerous power ports. Storage space under the flip-up seat cushion was practical.

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. Available features included navigation, HD Radio, additional USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window, remote start, and a household-style power outlet. The WiFi hot spot allowed up to seven devices to connect simultaneously. The 7-inch programmable information display was larger than most competitors. The available Fender Premium Audio System offered 12 speakers on Crew Cab models and 10 on King Cab Titans, with a 485-watt nine-channel amplifier.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty’s 8-inch touchscreen ran the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was becoming outdated compared to competitors. The system included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services, and a B&O premium sound system. The small screen size was a liability when parking and using trailer-related technologies. Sync 3 was generally agreeable, though it occasionally hung or ignored inputs. The driver information display offered numerous menus related to safety, towing, off-roading, and efficiency. The F-350 also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for add-on equipment.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, 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 camera system, adaptive cruise control, driver-alertness monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and rear door alert. Nissan backed the Titan with a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing about 7,300 pounds, likely offered good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. Available driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist operated subtly. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror positioning for effectiveness. The Sync 3 system’s 911 Assist feature could automatically contact emergency responders following a collision.