2022 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma presented a classic truck aesthetic, characterized by its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. Its design was a stark contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM midsize trucks, offering a rugged appearance without the exaggerated features of larger trucks like the Toyota Tundra. The Tacoma's unique styling was further enhanced in specific models, such as the Trail Edition with its 16-inch TRD Off-Road alloy wheels and the Nightshade Edition with blacked-out trim. The TRD Pro model stood out with its exclusive Lunar Rock color, blacked-out hood and fender flares, and Rigid Industries LED fog lights. Despite its body-on-frame construction, which typically affects ride and handling, the Tacoma was built for towing and off-road capability. The interior mirrored the exterior's ruggedness, with chunky plastic elements and a focus on durability over luxury, especially in the TRD Pro model.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Titan boasted a rugged yet elegant exterior with strong lines and an expressive face, devoid of unnecessary details. Its assertive stance and well-proportioned design were complemented by first-rate fit and finish. Inside, the Titan continued this theme with clean lines, excellent material selection, and a spacious, airy cabin. The optional moonroof package further enhanced the cabin's roominess, while the power sliding rear window improved airflow. The Titan's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, making it a suitable choice for daily driving or family use, provided the optional step boards were installed to ease cabin access.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrain options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine featured Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved fuel economy. The four-cylinder engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 offered both automatic and manual transmission options. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced in the TRD models, with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and all-terrain tires. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. The Tacoma's maximum towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, and its maximum payload capacity was 1,685 pounds, though these figures varied depending on the model configuration.

The 2022 Nissan Titan, on the other hand, came with a single powertrain option: a 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The Titan's fuel economy was estimated at 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway for RWD models and slightly lower for 4WD models. The Titan's fully boxed ladder frame and independent suspension contributed to its solid on-road performance, while the Pro-4X model added off-road features like an electronically locking rear differential and Bilstein shocks. The Titan's towing capacity was 9,310 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,710 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing to tow or haul heavy loads.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's interior space was limited, particularly in the Double Cab model, which offered the least rear headroom and legroom in its segment. The front headroom and legroom were also below average, creating a cramped and bunker-like feel. While the rear seats folded up to reveal storage cubbies, overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet, but lacked innovative storage solutions found in competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Titan offered two body styles: King Cab and Crew Cab, both with two rows of seating. The King Cab's rear-hinged clamshell doors provided access to a tight second row, while the Crew Cab offered a more spacious SUV-like second row with 38.5 inches of legroom. The Titan's bed length varied between the two body styles, with the King Cab offering a longer bed. The Titan's bed featured fixed tie-down hooks and an available Utili-track Channel system for added utility. The tailgate was well-balanced and could be operated with one hand, though it lacked the fancy features of some competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim, while other models featured an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and basic functionality. The TRD Pro model offered an optional Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road navigation and parking.

The 2022 Nissan Titan featured an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch display as standard and a 9-inch touchscreen as an available upgrade. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and NissanConnect. The audio system could be upgraded to a Fender-branded 12-speaker setup. Higher trims offered NissanConnect with navigation, over-the-air map updates, and additional services like SiriusXM Traffic and TomTom Weather. The Titan's infotainment system was comprehensive and user-friendly, with a range of connectivity options.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also featured intelligent forward collision warning and eight airbags. The IIHS gave the Titan top "Good" ratings in most tests, with an "Acceptable" rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2022 model at the time of writing.