2020 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

When examining the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, it was clear that Chevrolet invested considerable effort into providing a range of design details, including different grilles and finishes, various wheel sizes and styles, and distinct bumper treatments ranging from black to body-color or shiny. Buyers had the choice between Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab configurations, along with multiple trim levels: WT (Work Truck), Custom, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country. Off-road lovers could opt for the Trail Boss package available for the Custom or LT trims. The Silverado's MSRP spanned from $28,500 to $57,100, not including a $1,595 destination charge.

The Silverado LT Trail Boss featured in the review came equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and four option packages: Midnight Edition, Convenience Package II, Leather Package, and Advanced Trailering Package. These additions brought the truck’s price to $59,185, including the destination charge. Its black paint, wheels, and blacked-out trim gave it a custom appearance, although, it required significant upkeep to maintain its look, especially if used for off-roading as intended.

The interior of the Silverado, however, revealed areas needing improvement. Although the leather seats added some comfort, the overall cabin design appeared industrial and dated, with plastic rather than metal trims and busy, layered surfaces. Despite the high price, the interior lacked a cohesive, modern design, making it feel aged and unrefined compared to competitors like the Toyota Tundra.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Titan exuded a handsomely generic appearance. Despite being stocky and masculine, it lacked the excitement and stylish appeal found in competitors like the Ram 1500. Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheel designs, and three grille options for 2020, with chrome finishing on higher trim levels, and matte gray with red accents for off-road Pro-4X models. New LED headlights and taillights added a modern touch, while the Pro-4X featured blacked-out Nissan badges with red lettering.

The test Titan SV King Cab 4WD, while lacking the high-end styling tweaks, impressed with its improved interior. Compared to the loaded 2017 Platinum Reserve Crew Cab previously tested, the lower trim with cloth upholstery felt superior in terms of material quality and comfort. It featured a 9-inch touchscreen, a panoramic moonroof, and better-quality materials on the dash and door panels, showcasing upgraded interior quality even in the lower trims.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of five engines and three transmissions based on configuration and trim level. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, returning up to 27 mpg on the highway. The Silverado's engine lineup also included a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder and a 6.2-liter V8. The test truck featured the optional 6.2-liter V8, generating 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, offering impressive thrust and a commanding exhaust note.

Equipped with the Autotrac 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system, the Silverado LT Trail Boss accelerated with authority on various surfaces, though the all-terrain tires produced a noticeable whirring sound on pavement. The Z71 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities like Rancho shocks and a 2-inch lift, enhancing trail performance, though the truck’s size and length limited its maneuverability. Fuel economy averaged 16.8 mpg, falling just under the EPA rating of 17 mpg in combined driving.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Nissan Titan featured a potent 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivered strong acceleration and improved responsiveness. The Titan could tow up to 9,370 pounds and carry a 1,680-pound payload when equipped with the towing package, which included useful features like tow mode, adjustable trailer braking, and extended side-view mirrors. Although the Titan's handling and ride quality did not match the Ram 1500, its independent front axle and rear leaf springs provided a composed driving experience.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab's interior offered a spacious and comfortable environment, with leather upholstery and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat featuring heated cushions. However, front passengers lacked a height adjuster, affecting comfort. The rear seat provided generous thigh support despite a low seating position, with optional heating, USB ports, and air conditioning vents. Storage solutions included dual glove compartments, a large center console bin, sizable door panel bins, and hidden compartments within the rear seatback cushions.

The Silverado's cargo box was noted for its depth and high sides, enhancing storage capacity. In terms of hauling and towing, the Silverado could handle up to 2,250 pounds of payload and 13,400 pounds of trailer weight, with the LT Trail Boss variant accommodating 2,170 lbs. of payload and towing up to 11,300 lbs. with the Max Trailering Package.

The 2020 Nissan Titan King Cab, with its 6.5-foot bed, featured double-hinged rear doors that could lock at 90 degrees or fold back 180 degrees for full access. The Crew Cab offered a 5.5-foot bed and better legroom for rear passengers. Backseat amenities included six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, USB ports, and optional heated seats.

Nissan's cargo organizer provided lockable bins and a flat parcel shelf when needed. The center console's removable smartphone holder and ample storage space were practical additions. The Utility package added features like a factory spray-on bed liner, LED lights, cargo hooks, a rail system, and a fold-down tailgate step, enhancing the bed's functionality.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chevrolet Connected Access services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a high-definition display, navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, wireless device charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. While offering a wealth of standard features, the infotainment screen sizes felt outdated compared to contemporary standards. Additionally, the Advanced Trailering Package, priced at $250, provided up to 15 different camera views, enhancing trailering convenience.

The 2020 Nissan Titan’s new infotainment system represented a significant upgrade, offering 8- or 9-inch touchscreens with modern features like map pinch-and-zoom, customizable home-screen menus, and responsive performance. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. NissanConnect data services included emergency dialing, vehicle alerts, and remote start capabilities via smartphones and smart speakers. The system's automatic updates and voice search capabilities further improved user experience.

The Titan's available 485-watt Fender stereo, featuring 10 or 12 speakers and a subwoofer, promised an enhanced audio experience. Standard safety features, part of Nissan Safety Shield 360, included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included standard rear-seat reminder and Teen Driver technologies. However, Chevrolet's limited availability of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across trim levels was a concern. Essential safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking were restricted to LTZ and High Country trims, while lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control followed suit. The Silverado’s crash-test ratings from NHTSA showed a 4-star overall rating, while IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for front passenger protection in a small overlap front impact, highlighting areas for improvement.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not yet undergone testing from NHTSA or IIHS for that year. The 2019 Crew Cab earned a 4-star overall rating with top marks for side impact protection. Nissan's improvements to the body structure and standard driver assists for 2020 suggested enhanced safety across the board. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, driver-attention monitor, and traffic-sign recognition were available, while a rear-door alert system came standard.