2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan carried forward all the aesthetics from its 2020 refresh, showcasing a series of visual identities across its five grades: S, SL, SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve. Each trim had unique design elements. The base Titan S and SV featured dark grilles, while the SL sported a gleaming chrome grille. The top-tier Platinum Reserve flaunted a satin chrome grille, and the Pro-4X boasted a black grille accentuated with a lava-red Nissan logo and matching tow hooks.

New headlights introduced in the 2021 model significantly improved visibility with 120 percent more light output compared to the 2019 version. Additional LED fog lights boosted visibility by 15 percent. The truck bed benefited from four LED light sources, a departure from the single flooding light of older models.

At the rear, the Titan's taillights and tailgate finishers varied by trim; the Pro-4X had a black finisher, the Platinum Reserve displayed a satin chrome one, and other trims retained more traditional designs. Crew Cab models offered a 5.5-foot bed, while King Cab versions came with a 6.5-foot bed. The bed featured a Utili-track Bed Channel System, offering the most bed rails in its class, along with a spray-in bedliner, a 100-volt power outlet, and a damped tailgate.

Nissan offered the Titan in eight exterior colors, with the unique brown Baja Storm color being particularly striking on the Pro-4X tester. Inside, the Titan received a substantial upgrade, featuring a large infotainment screen, piano-black plastic trim, and user-friendly knobs and buttons that could be operated while wearing gloves. The upholstery and seat design were on par with or better than those in GMC and Chevrolet trucks, though the dated steering wheel design detracted from the otherwise modern cabin aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the start of its third generation. Toyota overhauled the truck's design, resulting in a more dynamic and expressive look. The new Tundra featured a large hexagonal grille, with variations depending on the trim—chrome-finished, black, dark chrome, or gray-painted, with the top-of-the-line TRD Pro trim donning retro-styled "TOYOTA" badging above an LED strip light. The TRD Pro also featured a technical camo pattern that extended into the cabin.

The Tundra’s interior upgrades centered on premium materials and amenities. The available 14-inch touchscreen showcased the Tundra’s intent to be a go-to family adventure vehicle. The cohesive design tied interior and exterior elements together in a well-planned manner, unifying the vehicle's overall aesthetic.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered a single powertrain—a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. To achieve these figures, premium fuel was necessary. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that performed well in both low and high gears but struggled somewhat mid-range. Despite this, the shifts were smooth, and acceleration was strong, making the Titan a powerful contender.

Unlike some competitors, the Titan did not include start/stop functionality, which resulted in slightly lower fuel efficiency but did eliminate the hassle of engine restarts at red lights. Both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) variants offered an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. The Titan was known for its traditional truck steering, and while its ride quality was average, it did not surpass the comfort level offered by the Ram 1500’s air suspension.

Payload capacities for RWD Titans reached 1,600 pounds, and 4WD models managed 1,680 pounds. Towing capacities were respectable at 9,310 pounds for RWD and 9,260 pounds for 4WD. The Pro-4X trim featured unique off-road equipment, such as hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential, making it a sturdy off-roader. It also included an off-road gauge displaying tire angle, pitch, and roll angles.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra featured two new engine options, replacing the old naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8. The standard i-Force engine was a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 generating 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque (348/405 in SR trim). The i-Force Max, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, delivered a whopping 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.

Both engines were mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and consistent power delivery. The new Tundra handled better than its predecessor, with improved chassis and suspension. Front independent double-wishbone suspension components and a new multi-link rear suspension with outboard-mounted coil springs provided a more compliant ride, especially noticeable with an empty bed. Available adaptive variable suspension and load-leveling rear-height control further enhanced the ride quality.

Towing capacity reached up to 12,000 pounds, and the truck included standard trailer sway control and TOW/HAUL mode. The TRD Off-Road package, available on most trims, added extra off-road capabilities, while the TRD Sport package catered to on-road performance enthusiasts.

The 2021 Nissan Titan boasted a versatile seating arrangement with a standard front bench seat and available bucket seats, making it possible to seat five or six passengers. The front and rear outboard seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, ensuring long-distance comfort. Heated and cooled front seats were available, though petite adults might struggle to find a perfect driving position due to the Titan’s somewhat limited seat adjustability.

Despite this, the Titan provided ample legroom in both the front and rear. The center console offered generous storage space, easily accommodating handbags or road trip snacks, and a dedicated smartphone slot. Additional features included an optional panoramic moonroof, power-sliding rear window, easy-to-reach grab handles, and folding rear seatbacks with bag hooks under the seat cushions.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra came in Double Cab and CrewMax configurations, both offering five-passenger seating. The Double Cab featured 33.3 inches of rear seat legroom, while the CrewMax offered an impressive 41.6 inches. The bed options included 6.5-foot and 8.1-foot for Double Cab models, and 5.5-foot and 6.5-foot for CrewMax models. The Tundra’s aluminum-reinforced composite bed saved weight while maintaining payload capacity of up to 1,980 pounds.

The Tundra’s towing capacity reached 12,000 pounds, with standard trailer sway control and an optional trailer backup guide system that included straight path assist. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, such as a sliding tray in the center armrest and a conveniently placed 12-volt power tap for dash-mounted devices. Overall, the Tundra’s design prioritized user-friendly features and practical storage.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with a 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen, the largest standard screen in its class. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio were standard. Additional options included navigation, HD Radio, four USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, and a household-style power outlet.

The truck’s Wi-Fi hotspot allowed up to seven devices to connect simultaneously, though it required a subscription. The infotainment screen was responsive, albeit with less modern graphics compared to competitors. Trucks equipped with NissanConnect also included the Nissan Concierge service, providing 24/7 access to live assistants. The Titan's audio experience could be upgraded to a Fender Premium Audio System with up to 12 speakers.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra featured an all-new infotainment system. An 8-inch touchscreen audio system with six speakers was standard in SR and SR5 trims, while a 14-inch touchscreen was standard in Limited and above (optional in SR5). A 12-speaker JBL premium audio system was available on Limited and standard on upper trims. The Tundra supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models.

Toyota Connected services, Safety Connect, Service Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and SiriusXM were standard with trial periods. Drive Connect came with Audio Plus and Premium Audio packages. Higher trim levels featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and optional 10.1-inch head-up display. Off-road enthusiasts benefitted from multi-terrain select, crawl control, and unique camera views.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was 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 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 Toyota Tundra came with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), featuring a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System, eight airbags, LATCH connectors, rear door locks, tire-pressure monitor system, hill-start control, drive-start control, and parking support brake with rear cross-traffic alert were standard. Blind-spot monitoring was available on SR5 and standard on higher trims.