Nissan Titan 2022 Expert Review
Reviewed by Kelly Lin
When you think of full-size trucks, the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 are probably the first ones that come to mind. Always an underdog, the Nissan Titan has quietly competed in the same segment since it was introduced for the 2004 model year. The truck is now in its second generation, and a 2020 refresh brought along more power, a revised nine-speed automatic transmission, and a fresh new design. For 2022, the truck receives minor updates.
What's New
- Spray-on bedliner and receiver hitch added to King Cab S trim
- King Cab SV receives previous Convenience package content including navigation
- Revised option package content
What We Think
Is the Nissan Titan just as capable as its Detroit rivals? Sadly, no, although it has its merits.
The standard V-8 provides strong acceleration once you hit 1,500 rpm, but is a bit hesitant off the line. It pairs with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The refreshed Titan is much quieter than its predecessor, and the ride is fine as long as you don't compare it to the Ram 1500, which is more comfortable. The Titan tows confidently with the help of the smooth gearbox, but rivals can haul hundreds of pounds more than the Titan and tow thousands more.
When we drove the Titan Pro-4X, we were disappointed in the interior design and materials for the price. We appreciated the comfortable front seats, though. The new touchscreen features crisp graphics, but we've found it's prone to crashing.
The Titan still doesn't have what it takes to sit with the best and the brightest in the segment. And given that truck buyers are extremely loyal to their brands, it's unlikely the new Titan will lure Ford, Chevy, or Ram buyers to Nissan. That said, those who choose the Titan will enjoy a generous five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Every 2022 Nissan Titan is powered by a 5.6-liter V-8 engine making 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can choose between RWD and 4WD. In our tests, the Titan went from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds, making it just a tenth of a second quicker than the larger Titan XD.
EPA-rated fuel economy comes in at 16/21 mpg city/highway for RWD models, and 15/21 for 4WD models; the Pro-4X truck gets 15/20 mpg.
Safety Ratings and Features
The 2022 Nissan Titan received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. This rating includes four stars in the front crash test and five stars in the side crash test. RWD models received four stars in the rollover evaluation, while 4WD models got three stars.
In IIHS testing, the 2022 Nissan Titan Crew Cab earned Good scores in all crash categories except for the passenger-side small overlap front test, which replicates what happens when the right corner of a vehicle hits an object at 40 mph. In this test, the Titan received an Acceptable score. Headlights are rated Poor.
Standard safety features on all Nissan Titans include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Buyers can choose between a 5.5-foot bed and a 6.5-foot bed.
The Nissan Titan Crew Cab has the same amount of legroom as the larger Titan XD (41.8 inches up front and 38.5 inches in the back). We've found that space in the back row is acceptable no matter the configuration.
Towing and Payload
The Nissan Titan has a maximum towing capacity of 9,310 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 1,680 pounds. Compare that to the 2021 Ford F-150, which tows up to 14,000 pounds and hauls up to 3,325 pounds of payload. For both models, these numbers vary by configuration.
