Nissan Titan vs. Toyota Tundra

markinho · 01-06-2005, 03:51 PM

I came across this forum a few days ago and think it's fantastic: all the Titan owners seem to be very proud of their trucks and I really like all the supportive, thoughtful ideas that are bounced around here by forum members.

I am interested in upgrading my 2002 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Prerunner with either a Nissan Titan Crew Cab or a Toyota Tundra Double Cab sometime this year.

For the record, I am not a troll and I am fully aware that this is a potentially loaded question on a board dedicated to the Titan. Nevertheless, for me the Titan and the Tundra are for me and my purposes the tops in the fullsize pickup class and I am hoping to see what thoughts Titan owners have about comparing their vehicles to the Tundra.

So here's the nitty-gritty: If you were cross-shopping the Titan and the Tundra, or just knew someone who was comparing the Titan and the Tundra, what kinds of factors tipped you (or do you think would tip me) in the direction of a Titan?

Here are some specifics: I don't need towing capacity but do need extra space for adult passengers. I prefer a longer bed for lumber and hauling (lots of remodeling going on at my house). I don't need 4X4 for offroad escapading, but I do live in Northern California and see myself using my truck for camping and trips up to the snow around Tahoe several times a year.

Any thoughts, comments, feedback, experience or personal anecdotes would be appreciated.

The bottom line: I've had good experience with Nissan in the past (we used to have a Sentra that was indestructable), but my Toyota Tacoma--though getting small for my needs--has been a real gem. Help bring me back to the Nissan side?

Respectful thanks,

Mark

stick · 01-06-2005, 03:59 PM

go to page 8, 'TitanTalk Noobie looking for the right Truck!' there is many great comparisons, good and bad for your viewing pleasure. happy hunting.

TYTAIN · 01-06-2005, 04:02 PM

Mark, there are several former Tundra owners on the forum, those guys can for sure steer your the right way, personally the Titan is a way cool ride, to me better looking than the Tundra but I must say Toyota builds some quality stuff.

MikeDeuce · 01-06-2005, 04:10 PM

I currently own 80s and 90s sport coupes from both Toyota and Nissan so there's no brand bias with me, but the overall room in the Titan crew cab (and ESPECIALLY the rear passenger room) and the performance totally won me over.

Here's some numbers...

2005 tundra specs:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...IP&tab=2&sub=2

Titan:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...IP&tab=2&sub=2

rarjar · 01-06-2005, 04:14 PM

Markinho, before I got the Titan I was a loyal Toyota buyer and last owned a 2001 Tundra 4x4 Limited. However, I made the decision to switch to Titan because the Tundra did not have the towing capacity that I needed and I hated the "Big 3" trucks.

Now that I have the Titan, IMO, for pure driving pleasure and performance there is no comparison-- the Titan shines. The Titan rides very well for a truck (my wife likes it much better than any domestic trucks, but not quite as well as the Tundra) and my LE has many interior do-dads that my Tundra did not have, as well as much more interior room.

That said, again IMO, the Tundra seemed to have better overall quality in construction, especially in the interior, having far less plastic than the Titan, although I think more and more manufacturers are moving to more and more plastic.

If I had the decision to make today, and Toyota made a comparible truck, it would be a tough decision for me, although I have to admit that the Titan look has really grown on me and I am not at all sure I like the way the new Tundras are headed from an exterior design perspective. Besides, I really like the looks I get when driving my Titan! My 2 cents worth.

*Titan2004* · 01-06-2005, 04:15 PM

Hi all, I'm a first time poster but a long time reader.
Ive had my 4X4 SE crew cab for as few months now and love it to death. no problems at all. I don't personally understand, if you've had such good luck with your Tacoma, why you'd then look anywhere but Toyota. Maybe its just that I tend to be brand loyal (10 or so Nissans under my belt) but to me, the Tundra crew cab, being actually larger than the Titan crew cab (not as roomy though), would be an automatic in. And, the Tundras crew cab can be had in a longbed unlike the Titan. I guess I'm just interested in what you like about the Titan that may ultimately steal you away from Toyota?

markinho · 01-06-2005, 04:15 PM

Oops, I just checked that "Truck Noobie" thread. It's an interesting read.

Sorry if I made a redundant post, but I'm not even fussing with the Big Three. I thought Toyota had cornered my market, but after checking out the Titan recently with my wife, it looks like it's-a-gonna be a dogfight between the Titan and the Tundra!

Thanks for all who've responded so far.

Mark

stick · 01-06-2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan2004

Hi all, I'm a first time poster but a long time reader.
Ive had my 4X4 SE crew cab for as few months now and love it to death. no problems at all. I don't personally understand, if you've had such good luck with your Tacoma, why you'd then look anywhere but Toyota. Maybe its just that I tend to be brand loyal (10 or so Nissans under my belt) but to me, the Tundra crew cab, being actually larger than the Titan crew cab (not as roomy though), would be an automatic in. And, the Tundras crew cab can be had in a longbed unlike the Titan. I guess I'm just interested in what you like about the Titan that may ultimately steal you away from Toyota?

'the Tundra crew cab, being actually larger than the Titan'???? please check the link comparisons in the 4th post.
the titan is larger than the tundra in EVERY area. and yes you are right--if you've ever sat in the titan it not only is physically larger, it is ergonomically superior. gotta love them back seats!!!

ansaremd · 01-06-2005, 04:49 PM

One thing for me when I went for the titan was just pure power and acceleration, my other car is a 400 hp trans am WS6, and so I couldn't deal with "Truckish" acceleration. The titan gives me truckish size, intimidation and utility, with near sports car performance. Theres nothing like the look on the face of a kid with an rsx after you leave him on the green light, while hauling bags of potting soil

. If you want a truck that gives u bad a$$ performance go titan, if you are looking for a super refined, well built vehicle that has some utility but may seem a little anemic go for the toyota. Just depends on your taste and what you're looking for. Kind of like an ES330 versus a G35.

stick · 01-06-2005, 04:52 PM

my bad. the tundra DOES beat the titan in one area--front headroom....by 2/10 of an inch.
i take back my 'EVERY' and replace with 'NEARLY ALL'!!!!

markinho · 01-06-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan2004

I guess I'm just interested in what you like about the Titan that may ultimately steal you away from Toyota?

That's a good question.

Why do I like the Titan? Let me count the ways (in no particular order):

1. Features. Out of all the full size trucks, Nissan not only has the newest design out of the competition, but they're not constrained to maintaining a seamless design transition from the old to the new. The Tundra Double Cab, though a new update to a Tundra design that's a little long in the tooth, is pretty much redesigned. But book at Ford: they, too, have a new F-150, but I get the sense that they didn't aggressively update their #1 seller as much as they could have for fear of alienating their core buyers. Specifics: the tie-down system and lighting, interior space (fold-up seats and the massive console) and ergonomics (comfy rear seats rival my wife's Accord)are really nice in the Titan.

2. Ride. The Titan is fast and handles well, though the muffler takes some getting used to. The Tundra is more of a comfy-cruiser with more refined manners. I get the impression that the Titan is more of a driver's truck rather than a truck that has to be driven--if you catch my drift.

3. Safety. I like the fact that the Titan has stability control (I forget what Nissan calls it) and that it got a good safety rating. I have to think that this is because of the redesign, where the engineers made this more of a priority. One thing that does bug me is that, like the Tundra, curtain airbags seem to be available only to those willing to buy every other option in the book.

4. Price/*Expectant* Reliability/Resale. Feature-for-feature, the Titan is one of the least expensive full size trucks around. Statistically, the Big Three are not as reliable as Japanese vehicles, even considering trucks. But some of the Titan's reliabilty/TSB/warranty hiccups are on par with vehicles that have been on the road for many years and are at the middle or end of their production cycle. Ironically, my wife's 2003 Accord was in the shop several times for a number of annoying--but not debilitating--non-drivetrain issues all of which were fixed under warranty. Oh yeah, did I say that Honda makes the Accord?

Anyway, that's why I like the Titan and why it could be in my driveway some day unless the Tundra gets there first.

Mark

*Mike Up* · 01-06-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan2004

And, the Tundras crew cab can be had in a longbed unlike the Titan.

No it can't according to Toyota's website. The Tundra Crew Cab and Extended cab are only offered with a shortbed like the Titan. The Tundra's shortbed is 74.3" with the Crew Cab and 74.7" with the Extended cab. The Titan Extended Cab has a 78.9" bed and the Titan Crew Cab has a 67.1" bed. All of them short beds. Only the Tundra Regular cab comes with a long bed.

Between the Titan and Tundra, I felt that the Titan was a true 1/2 ton truck where the Tundra seems to have capacities that are more in-line with the midsize trucks. Also, the Tundra has a C channel frame which didn't enthuse me as most better trucks are offering heavier duty frames. Of course, I could had the Tundra for less than the Titan so perhaps the Tundra's price is more in line with it's full size room(Double Cab), but midsize performance.

Have a good one.

ColoTitan · 01-06-2005, 05:00 PM

Just test drive the Titan that made my decision.

The Titan is night and day compared to the Tundra and it costs less.

stick · 01-06-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan2004

Hi all, I'm a first time poster but a long time reader.
Ive had my 4X4 SE crew cab for as few months now and love it to death. no problems at all. I don't personally understand, if you've had such good luck with your Tacoma, why you'd then look anywhere but Toyota. Maybe its just that I tend to be brand loyal (10 or so Nissans under my belt) but to me, the Tundra crew cab, being actually larger than the Titan crew cab (not as roomy though), would be an automatic in. And, the Tundras crew cab can be had in a longbed unlike the Titan. I guess I'm just interested in what you like about the Titan that may ultimately steal you away from Toyota?

hmmmm....2 inaccurate statements in a first post from someone who claims to own a titan in a thread of someone looking for a titan? hmmmm....i think i smell something... rhymes with....bowl

ansaremd · 01-06-2005, 05:04 PM

Heh trust me, you'll feel much more like a man driving the titan (it has that character about it), but u may be more comfortable driving the tundra. For me, if I wanted car-like refinement I wouldnt really be looking at trucks, although I can see where you're coming from with the hauling etc.