2022 Nissan Titan vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma had a long history in the North American market, dating back to 1995, with its roots tracing even further to the Toyota Pickup and Hilux models from the 1970s. The third-generation Tacoma, introduced in 2016 and updated in 2020, began to show its age despite its aggressive and contemporary exterior design. Inside, the cabin revealed its dated elements with hard plastics and older switchgear, although it did feature some modern touches like a push-button start.

Trim levels for the Tacoma ranged from the base SR to the off-road-focused TRD Pro. The SR included basic features like 16-inch steel wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims added amenities such as leather upholstery, advanced infotainment systems, and specialized off-road equipment. The TRD Pro, the top trim, came with unique styling, underbody skid plates, and a TRD-tuned suspension, making it a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2022 Nissan Titan, a relative newcomer in the full-size truck market, debuted its first generation in 2004 and received a significant update in 2016. The 2022 model retained its rugged yet elegant exterior with strong lines and an assertive stance. Inside, the Titan offered a clean, uncluttered cabin with excellent material quality and generous proportions. The optional moonroof package further enhanced the cabin's spacious feel.

The Titan's interior featured a well-thought-out design with many cupholders and storage options. The King Cab and Crew Cab body styles provided different levels of rear-seat legroom, with the Crew Cab offering a more comfortable second row. The Titan's bed options included a 78.7-inch bed for the King Cab and a 67-inch bed for the Crew Cab, with various utility features like the Utili-track Channel system and Titan Boxes for added storage.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered two engine options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine was recommended for its better performance, despite some struggles with highway acceleration due to the transmission's gearing. The Tacoma's towing capacity reached up to 6,800 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds.

The Tacoma's TRD models, including the TRD Pro, excelled in off-road conditions with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro's suspension absorbed rocks and bumps effortlessly, making it a joy to drive on trails. However, the V6 engine's performance in urban settings was less impressive, with sluggish acceleration and a steering system that required effort at low speeds.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came with a single powertrain option: a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power and a satisfying engine note, making the Titan a pleasure to drive on both highways and off-road trails. The Titan's towing capacity was 9,310 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,710 pounds.

The Titan's Pro-4X model featured off-road enhancements like Bilstein shocks, an electronically locking rear differential, and all-terrain tires. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Titan remained composed on pavement, offering a comfortable ride and good handling. The Titan's fuel economy was typical for a full-size truck, with RWD models achieving 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 4WD models slightly lower.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with bed lengths of five feet and six feet one inch. The Access Cab's rear jump seats were tight on legroom, making them suitable for children or short trips. The Double Cab offered slightly better rear-seat space but remained cramped for adults on longer journeys. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the steering wheel's limited adjustment range could be an issue for taller drivers.

The Tacoma's interior featured plenty of cupholders and storage options, with useful in-bed lighting and a power outlet in the bed. However, the overall cabin space and comfort were limited compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Titan offered King Cab and Crew Cab body styles, 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's full front-hinged doors opened to a more spacious second row with 38.5 inches of legroom. The Titan's interior design included a 40/20/40-split front bench seat in base models, with higher trims featuring power-adjustable bucket seats and a center console.

The Titan's bed options included a 78.7-inch bed for the King Cab and a 67-inch bed for the Crew Cab. The Titan's bed featured utility enhancements like the Utili-track Channel system and Titan Boxes for added storage. The tailgate was well-balanced and easy to operate, with available electronic locking.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The system's simple layout and large icons made it easy to use, and it supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the wireless device charger required manual activation, and the system lacked some advanced tech features found in newer models.

The Tacoma's infotainment system was reliable and straightforward, but it didn't offer many modern conveniences beyond the basics. The trail camera was a useful addition for off-road enthusiasts, but overall, the Tacoma's tech features were limited.

The 2022 Nissan Titan received an upgrade to Nissan's latest infotainment system, with an 8-inch display standard and a 9-inch touchscreen available. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot for up to seven devices. NissanConnect, Bluetooth, and hands-free text messaging were also standard, with two USB ports in the center stack.

The Titan's audio system ranged from a standard six-speaker setup to a premium Fender-branded 12-speaker system with a subwoofer. Higher trims featured NissanConnect with navigation, over-the-air map updates, and various subscription-based services. The Titan's infotainment system was modern and well-equipped, offering a range of features for connectivity and entertainment.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The backup camera's image quality was grainy, requiring extra caution when reversing.

The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four-star scores in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet tested the 2022 model but gave the 2021 model generally high scores.

The 2022 Nissan Titan featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also had intelligent forward collision warning and eight airbags as standard.

The Titan received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" rating for the passenger-side small overlap front test. The Titan's front crash prevention tech earned "Superior" ratings, but the standard halogen headlights received a "Poor" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Titan, but the 2020 model received four out of five stars for overall safety.