2022 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

When comparing the 2021 Toyota Tundra and the 2022 Nissan Titan, one could not ignore their distinct appearances and interior feels. The Tundra, developed during the mid-2000s and debuting for the 2007 model year, carried an "awkward" design that persisted into 2021. It's an imposing truck featuring an oversized grille and disproportionately small headlights. Despite its dated design, the blacked-out wheels and badging in the "Cement" paint color lent a touch of modern appeal to the Tundra.

Internally, the Tundra's cabin screamed mid-2010s, dominated by hard plastics and large monotone panels. Although the styling was not luxurious or especially contemporary, the controls were logically placed and easily accessible. The 2021 upgrade introduced a standard 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, which was a much-needed update given drivers' attachment to their smartphone brands.

The 2021 Tundra offered various trims: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. Each trim level added various features, such as power-adjustable seats, larger infotainment systems, and off-road capabilities. Our test drive of the SR5 CrewMax trim with the Trail Special Edition package offered sturdy off-road tires, in-bed storage boxes, and rubber floor mats vital for colder climates. The Nightshade Edition, new for 2021, added black wheels and dark chrome grilles for a more aggressive look.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Titan sported a rugged but elegant exterior devoid of unnecessary details. It offered strong lines, an expressive face, and a robust yet refined stance with excellent fit and finish. Inside the Titan, the layout remained clean, uncluttered, and spacious. High-quality materials and numerous cup and bottle holders further complemented the cabin. Optional features, like the $1,490 moonroof package with a panoramic view and power sliding rear window, amplified its modern appeal.

Examining the performance of both vehicles revealed their respective strengths and weaknesses. The 2021 Toyota Tundra came equipped with the I-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine, offering 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided a satisfying, responsive drive both at low and high speeds. Its towing capability was 10,200 pounds, and its payload capacity hit 1,730 pounds. Although adequate, these figures paled compared to competitors like the Ford F-150, which could tow up to 13,000 pounds.

Conversely, Nissan chose to stick with its proven 5.6-liter gasoline V8 engine in the 2022 Titan, producing an impressive 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This configuration provided a smooth, linear power delivery characteristic of a V8 engine. The Titan was adept at towing, though its maximum capacity of 9,310 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,710 pounds meant it lagged slightly behind the Tundra in these domains. Fuel economy rated at 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway for the RWD models and slightly less for the 4WD variants.

For those needing ample interior and exterior utility, both trucks provided commendable options. The Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes (Double Cab and CrewMax) and three bed sizes. The CrewMax, with a 5.5-foot bed, was particularly spacious, offering rear seat passengers more legroom than found in many luxury cars. The rear seats folded up to create a generous cargo area, bolstered by optional in-bed storage lockers.

The Titan came in two configurations: King Cab and Crew Cab, each with its benefits. The King Cab feature clamshell doors and a 78.7-inch bed, while the Crew Cab provided a more SUV-like second row with 38.5 inches of legroom and a 67-inch bed. Nissan integrated utility elements, like the Utili-track Channel system with movable tie-down cleats and optional locking waterproof Titan Boxes, making up for the absence of a long-bed version. Furthermore, the Titan featured a well-balanced and easily operable tailgate.

Technology-wise, the 2021 Toyota Tundra and 2022 Nissan Titan made notable strides. The Tundra, having received a significant infotainment upgrade in 2020, carried this to 2021 with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa via a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen. The easy-to-operate interfaces included physical buttons for redundancy, multiple USB ports, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Similarly, the 2022 Titan's infotainment offered an 8-inch standard or an available 9-inch touchscreen interface equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of connecting seven devices. Upgraded models featured a 12-speaker Fender audio system and NissanConnect services with various navigation aids.

Safety was another high-stakes comparison. The 2021 Tundra came thoroughly equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense P suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control as standard. Additional safety options included parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Eight airbags and systems like trailer sway control fortified its safety credentials.

The 2022 Titan matched with its Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard across all trims, which included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear automatic braking. It also featured intelligent forward collision warnings, utilizing radar technology. The Titan earned high marks from IIHS in several categories, except an “Acceptable” rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test and “Poor” headlight ratings for some trims.