2021 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed looks from the 2020 model. It offered three King Cab grades and five Crew Cab trim levels. Each grade—S, SL, SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve—had distinct interior and exterior design identities. The base model Titan S and the Titan SV featured dark grilles, whereas the Titan SL sported a bright chrome grille and the Titan Platinum Reserve had a satin chrome one. The Titan Pro-4X stood out with a black grille and lava-red script logo. Below the grille of the Pro-4X, lava red tow hooks added character.

The 2021 refresh saw Nissan bestow the Titan with new headlights that delivered 120% more light output than the prior model, and available LED fog lights that added another 15% to visibility. The truck bed had four LED light sources, a significant upgrade from older trucks with a single floodlight. The bed also included a Utili-track Bed Channel System, a spray-in bedliner, a 100-volt power outlet, and a damped tailgate.

The Titan came in eight colors, with the Pro-4X model in Baja Storm standing out distinctly. Its cabin received updates, featuring a large infotainment screen surrounded by piano-black plastic trim. However, the steering wheel design remained dated.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkwardly oversized grille and disproportionately small headlights, leading to some design criticisms. Our test vehicle in the "Cement" color, paired with blacked-out wheels and badging, looked more modern than its underpinnings. The Tundra’s cabin, dominated by hard plastics and big monotone panels, felt very mid-2010s, yet all buttons and dials were accessible.

Toyota offered several trims: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and the 1794 Edition, along with the new Nightshade Edition for 2021. Each trim had its unique features, but none provided the modern luxury of rival trucks. Our SR5 CrewMax trim added features like power-adjustable front seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came with a single, robust powertrain—a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Nissan required premium fuel to achieve these numbers. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which shined in low and high gears but struggled mid-range. Despite its smooth gear shifts, there was no engine start/stop functionality, impacting fuel efficiency. The Titan delivered an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined, with both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions achieving similar fuel economy. The 4WD model did slightly worse in city driving.

The Titan’s ride quality was average for the class, passing along a few road bumps. It had a payload capacity of up to 1,680 pounds for 4WD models and a towing capacity of 9,310 pounds for RWD models. The Titan Pro-4X included off-road-centric features like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota Tundra featured Toyota’s I-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine, generating 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra could tow up to 10,200 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds, although these numbers were less competitive compared to some rivals. The transmission offered a manual tap-shift function and was responsive, providing strong acceleration. Though comfortable over most surfaces, the Tundra’s width could make it feel less stable in corners, and its steering was vague at low speeds but more assured on the highway.

The 2021 Nissan Titan could seat five or six, thanks to its front bench seat or available bucket seats. The Titan offered Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, comfortable for long journeys. However, shorter adults might find it challenging to achieve a comfortable driving position. The Titan’s cabin had ample seating space and a well-thought-out center console, with an optional panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window adding luxury.

Cargo capacity wise, the Titan Crew Cab had a 5.5-foot bed, while the King Cab had a 6.5-foot bed. Its Utili-track Bed Channel System facilitated easy loading and securing of items.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra’s Double Cab offered either a 6.5-foot or an 8.1-foot bed, while the CrewMax, which we drove, sported a 5.5-foot bed. With the rear seats folding up, the CrewMax provided an expansive cargo area. Our test truck also featured practical in-bed storage lockers and a power rear window, facilitating easy loading of long items.

The 2021 Nissan Titan boasted a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution touchscreen, the largest in its class. It came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot for up to seven devices. An optional Fender Premium Audio System significantly enhanced sound quality. The interface, though functional, lacked the modernity seen in competitors like the F-150.

Similarly, the 2021 Toyota Tundra updated its infotainment for 2020, a change that continued into 2021. It featured standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, operated via either a standard 7-inch or an optional 8-inch touchscreen. The Tundra’s layout was intuitive, backed by redundant hard buttons and a range of standard connectivity options. Higher trims offered a JBL premium audio system for superior sound.

The 2021 Nissan Titan excelled in safety with the standard Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional optional safety tech included adaptive cruise control and an Around View Monitor camera system. Nissan offered a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best in the segment.

In 2018, the Toyota Tundra added the Safety Sense P suite as standard. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Tundra also came with eight airbags and standard safety measures like trailer sway control.