2021 Nissan Titan vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

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 SV featured dark grilles, while the SL had a bright chrome grille, and the Platinum Reserve boasted a satin chrome one. The Pro-4X stood out with a black grille and lava-red script logo, complemented by lava red tow hooks. The Titan's new headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, and available LED fog lights added 15% more visibility. The truck bed featured four LED light sources, a Utili-track Bed Channel System, and a spray-in bedliner, making it highly functional. The Titan came in eight exterior colors, with the brown Baja Storm being particularly unique.

Inside, the Titan's center stack received a significant upgrade with a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim. The truck's upholstery and seat design were attractive, comparable to GMC and Chevrolet products, and a step up from the Toyota Tundra. However, the steering wheel's design was dated, with small buttons that were not glove-friendly. The Titan XD, a separate model with different powertrain options, was not covered in this review.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for 2020, featured a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. The Sierra HD's interior, while functional, had material quality shortcomings, especially in top trims compared to Ram and Ford competitors. The cabin was spacious but not as roomy as the Ram 1500 and Ford Super Duty. The Sierra 2500HD was available in five trim levels and three cab styles, with the Pro trim geared toward fleet operators and the Denali offering luxury. The AT4 trim, focused on off-road enthusiasts, featured black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, and a rugged interior with Jet Black and Kalahari upholstery.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was powered by a single 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Titan offered smooth shifts and strong acceleration. However, it lacked engine start/stop functionality, impacting fuel efficiency. The Titan achieved an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined for both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) models. The Titan's steering was traditional, with plenty of play, and its ride quality was average for the class. The Titan's payload capacity was up to 1,680 pounds, and its towing capacity reached 9,310 pounds for RWD models. The Pro-4X trim featured off-road-centric equipment, including hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two 6.6-liter V8 engines—standard gas and optional turbodiesel. The Duramax diesel engine, paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. The Sierra 2500HD's maximum payload capacity was 3,597 pounds, and its maximum trailering weight was 18,500 pounds. Despite its power, the Sierra 2500HD was outperformed by Ford and Ram in towing capacities. The AT4 trim featured off-road equipment, including an automatic-locking rear differential, a two-speed transfer case, and an X31 off-road suspension. The Sierra 2500HD handled off-road terrain with ease, though the ride was jittery on uneven pavement.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered seating for five or six, with front bench seats standard and bucket seats available. The Zero Gravity design of the seats ensured comfort for long journeys. Heated and cooled front seats were available, though petite adults might struggle to find a comfortable driving position. The Titan provided ample seating and storage space, with a large center console and smartphone holders. The available panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window added convenience. The Titan's thoughtful interior layout included easy-to-reach grab handles and folding rear seatbacks.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, available in three cab configurations and two bed lengths, could seat up to six passengers. The cabin offered abundant headroom, legroom, and storage space, including a wide center console, dual glove boxes, and hidden storage compartments in the rear seats. The AT4 trim's side assist step and corner-step rear bumper made ingress and egress easier. The Sierra 2500HD featured a 120-volt power outlet in the cabin and bed, USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The MultiPro tailgate, standard on SLE and above, offered six functions for improved cargo access.

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 upgrades included navigation, HD Radio, additional USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a Fender Premium Audio System. The Titan's WiFi hotspot supported up to seven devices. The 7-inch programmable information display in front of the driver was larger than most competitors.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above. The Denali trim featured a standard navigation system. The Sierra 2500HD came with hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar. The Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, though the voice-recognition system had some quirks. The Sierra's 15 available camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, made towing easier. The rear camera mirror provided a clear view when visibility was compromised.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included 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 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard features included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system. The Sierra's mass provided safety benefits in collisions but posed risks to smaller vehicles and pedestrians. The numerous camera views were essential for safety.