2020 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Nissan Titan was described as handsomely generic, with a stocky and masculine build. Despite its solid construction, it lacked the excitement and standout features of competitors like the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado. For 2020, Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, along with restyled LED headlights and taillights. The Pro-4X trim added blacked-out Nissan badges with red lettering and red tow hooks for a touch of spice. The SV King Cab 4WD test truck, however, lacked these styling tweaks and appeared plain and drab, though the interior materials and comfort were notably improved.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Ranger in SuperCrew Lariat configuration with the Tremor Off-Road Package showcased a purposeful look with unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and red grille accents. The Tremor package also included off-road hoop-style side steps and “Tremor” graphics. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches made the Ranger the best-equipped model. The cabin featured a clean and contemporary design with simple controls, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and partial digital instrumentation.

The 2020 Nissan Titan featured a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination allowed the Titan to accelerate swiftly and handle heavy loads with ease. The Titan could tow up to 9,370 pounds and carry a payload of 1,680 pounds when equipped with the towing package. The Titan XD variant, with reinforced frame and upgraded suspension, offered a towing capacity of 10,880 pounds and a payload of 2,450 pounds. The Titan's ride was composed, and it featured double-pane front windows and an acoustic-laminated windshield for a quiet cabin. Fuel economy averaged 16 mpg over a 500-mile week.

The 2021 Ford Ranger, powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided swift acceleration and a distinctive engine note. The Ranger Tremor included a Terrain Management System with various settings and an electronic locking rear differential for off-road capability. The Tremor's off-road suspension, with revised springs and Fox shocks, offered 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul a payload of 1,860 pounds, though the Tremor's payload decreased to 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an average of 18.5 mpg during testing. The Ranger's ride was comfortable on paved roads, and it handled off-road trails with ease.

The 2020 Nissan Titan offered a King Cab with a 6.5-foot bed and a Crew Cab with a 5.5-foot bed. The King Cab's double-hinged rear doors allowed for easy access, though rear passengers needed the front doors to open first. The Titan's interior was spacious, with six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports for rear passengers. The optional cargo organizer and center console smartphone holder provided ample storage. The Utility package included a spray-on bed liner, LED lights, cargo hooks, and a rail system for tie-downs, along with a fold-down tailgate step and a 400-watt AC outlet.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured hoop-style step bars, SecuriCode keyless entry, and comfortable power-adjustable front seats. Rear-seat space was accommodating, though it lacked air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. Storage was decent, with bins under the rear-seat cushion, though the design was inconvenient. The tailgate was undampened but lightweight, and the cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) with four tie-down hooks. Ford provided a long list of accessories for customization.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system featured an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen, with the 9-inch display offering higher resolution and modern functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, NissanConnect data services, and a 7-inch color display in the instrument panel. The Fender stereo system was available as an upgrade. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, including an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. Navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system were also included. Voice recognition performance was inconsistent, and the climate system could be controlled via voice commands.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS for 2020, but the 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars overall. Improvements in body structure and standard driver assists, along with additional airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, enhanced safety. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras. A rear-door alert was standard.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control was standard on Lariat trim but lacked full-stop capability. The Ranger received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and top scores from IIHS, except for "Acceptable" and "Marginal" ratings in specific tests.