2022 Nissan Titan vs 2023 RAM 1500

The 2022 Nissan Titan was a compelling addition to the full-size truck segment. A latecomer among its American rivals, the Titan debuted its first-generation model in 2004, and yet it showcased design qualities that made it equally attractive. With a rugged exterior underscored by strong lines and a bold face, the Titan’s overall aesthetic was both assertive and refined. The truck lacked any unnecessary embellishments, maintaining a clean yet powerful look. Fit and finish were top-notch, emphasizing Nissan's attention to detail and quality.

Stepping inside the 2022 Titan continued the theme of simplicity and elegance. The cabin boasted clean lines and an uncluttered layout, with excellent material selection and numerous cup and bottle holders. The truck’s dimensions allowed for a spacious and airy cabin feel, and the optional moonroof package further enhanced this sense of roominess. The Titan’s interior design effectively balanced practicality with a refined ambiance that drivers would appreciate.

The 2023 RAM 1500, on the other hand, offered buyers a choice between quad cab and crew cab configurations, providing flexibility in terms of cab size and bed length. Our review model, the RAM 1500 Limited, almost topped the trim range and came with the Night Edition package, which added an element of stealth with blacked-out features such as the grille, headlamp bezels, and 22-inch black aluminum wheels. This gave the truck a modern and sophisticated look, free from the glitzy chrome seen on other trims.

Inside, the RAM 1500 Limited impressed with its luxurious materials. Leather upholstery with contrasting stitching adorned the seats and the steering wheel, and the dash featured elegant open-pore wood trim. The centerpiece of the interior was the 12-inch portrait-oriented screen, a unique and functional aesthetic addition. The interior also featured thoughtful touches like a two-tiered center console and abundant storage spaces, cementing the 1500 Limited as a leader in interior luxury and functionality within the truck segment.

The 2022 Nissan Titan stayed true to a single powertrain across all its trims, featuring a 5.6-liter gasoline V8 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine boasted 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which allowed for a strong, smooth driving experience. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard on the S, SV, and Platinum Reserve models, while four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard on the Pro-4X model and available on other trims.

Fuel economy for the Titan was competitive, with the RWD models offering an estimated 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. The 4WD models generally matched these figures, though Pro-4X models saw a slight dip to 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined.

The Titan excelled in off-road capabilities, especially in the Pro-4X trim, which featured a 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, electronically locking rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, and Bilstein off-road shocks. Nissan’s robust ladder-frame construction, combined with independent front suspension and rear leaf springs, ensured a balanced and smooth ride across various terrains. The Titan’s towing capabilities maxed out at 9,310 pounds with a payload of 1,710 pounds, sufficient for most typical truck users.

The 2023 RAM 1500 offered greater powertrain variety. The base engine was a 3.6-liter V6 with eTorque, providing an efficient mild hybrid system. Upper trims, including our test vehicle, sported a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque, standard on these models and optional on lower trims. The V8 produced 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. For those favoring diesel, a 3.0-liter engine was also available, excluding the top-tier TRX, which featured a monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter V8.

Fuel economy saw improvements with the V8 eTorque equipped 4WD models delivering 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. Though our test model averaged just 18 mpg, indicative of its powerful performance. The eight-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly across all RAM engines, ensuring smooth shifts.

The RAM shone with its coilover rear suspension and available air suspension, which significantly enhanced ride comfort. Braking was confident, thanks to the 14.9-inch brake rotors. Steering felt accurate and provided adequate heft, satisfying most driver preferences.

In terms of towing, the RAM 1500 trumped its competitors with a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds and a payload of up to 2,300 pounds. However, the best towing configurations required specific trim and engine choices to achieve these maximum figures. The Rebel and TRX trims focused on extreme off-roading, with the TRX’s 702 horsepower engine leading the pack for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Nissan Titan was available in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations. The base models featured a 40/20/40 split-folding front bench seat, and higher trims offered dual power-adjustable bucket seats in the front. The King Cab’s rear seats were more utilitarian, accessed via rear-hinged clamshell doors, whereas the Crew Cab had spacious SUV-like second-row seating with independent full front-hinged doors.

Legroom in the King Cab’s second row was limited to 24.8 inches, making it suitable for occasional use. Conversely, the Crew Cab provided 38.5 inches of legroom, offering a comfortable experience for rear passengers. Bed lengths also varied with 78.7 inches (6 feet, 6.7 inches) for the King Cab and 67 inches (5 feet, 7 inches) for the Crew Cab. The Titan’s bed could accommodate accessory tie-downs and featured options like the Utili-track Channel system and Titan Boxes for enhanced utility.

The 2023 RAM 1500 crew cab configuration, as tested, provided ample rear legroom at 45.2 inches. This easily outdid the Titan’s Crew Cab and allowed for a more comfortable rear seating experience. The interior design featured multiple storage solutions, including a two-tiered center console and a flat floor in the rear for easier cargo loading. The rear seats could flip up and included tie-down rings for securing loads.

The multifunction tailgate and RamBox cargo management system were standout features in the 1500, significantly enhancing bed utility. These additions were particularly appealing for those who needed secure and convenient storage for tools and other items. The RAM’s bed, benefiting from the optional air suspension, also allowed for easier loading and unloading by lowering the open tailgate height.

The 2022 Nissan Titan benefited from an upgrade to Nissan’s latest infotainment system in 2021. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 9-inch variant available as an upgrade. The system featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and NissanConnect with navigation. Higher trims boasted a premium Fender 12-speaker audio system with a subwoofer, enhancing the audio experience within the cabin.

In contrast, the 2023 RAM 1500 took technology to the next level with its available 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, a first in the truck segment. This large screen offered the ability to run two functions simultaneously, which could be particularly useful. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though there were minor lag issues noted with the former. Additionally, upper trims could be equipped with modern tech features such as a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, all part of the optional Equipment Group 1. The RAM also provided an array of charging options, making it ideal for tech-savvy users.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came with a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also featured intelligent forward collision warning. However, it received mixed ratings from IIHS and lacked recent NHTSA ratings.

The 2023 RAM 1500 did not include automatic emergency braking as standard across trims, which was a notable omission. However, it offered advanced safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control as options. The truck received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. IIHS gave it high marks, except for marginal ratings for seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use.