2021 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Still Gets It Done

Not much has really changed on the 2021 Nissan Titan compared to the 2020 model, but there are a few things to remember about the current rendition of the Titan: it’s simplified, it’s got the best warranty in the business, and it’s very good looking.

Trucks are very American and extremely useful. Sometimes they’re fun too. The Nissan Titan has seen a lot of turbulence and change since it first introduced years ago and then reinvented itself in this current generation of the full-sized truck. The Titan comes in two basic flavors: the Titan and the Titan XD. The XD is the heavy-duty half-ton model, capable of a little more towing and a little more hauling, while the standard Titan is a more traditional half-ton. Opt for the rugged Pro-4X package, and the Titan becomes a solid off-roader alongside the regular pickup truck capability.

The simplified bit comes from the 2021 Nissan Titan having one powertrain, one set of towing and hauling numbers, and one long list of standard features. No matter what the configuration or trim level is, the Titan has a V8 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, trailer sway control, and adaptive cruise control. Just for starters. There’s an even longer list beyond that before getting into any package upgrades.

There are five trim levels for the Titan this year with the Pro-4X off-road model that we tested sitting right in the middle of those. The Pro-4X can be had in extended (aka “King Cab”) or crew cab (full four-door). The cargo bed starts at 78 inches in length, but shrinks to 66 inches on the crew cab model to accommodate the longer cabin.

Powering the truck is a 5.6-liter V8 that outputs 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a nine-speed automatic and, in Pro-4X trim, has four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. Safety features like automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane departure warning are all standard on the Titan. The Titan Pro-4X model adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, remote start, a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, and additional USB ports. 

Off-road upgrades on the Pro-4X are impressive. There’s Bilstein off-road shock absorbers, an electronic locking rear differential, hill descent control, a radiator skid plate, and spray-in bed liner. Plus LED headlamps. 

Package upgrades can include towing additions like larger side mirrors, trailer brake controller, and a Class IV receiver hitch with four- and seven-pin connectors. This package also adds a useful sliding cargo tie-down system in the bed, a 120-volt power outlet in the bed, a bumper step, and adds the tailgate to the truck’s door locking. On the Pro-4X, we’d recommend adding that Utility Package to the truck for sure.

The 2021 Nissan Titan Pro-4X can tow up to 9,260 pounds and haul up to 1,680 pounds. Since trailer sway is standard (and very good in the Titan), those are some useful numbers.

Off road is where the Pro-4X package really shines though. Without all of the specialized (and expensive) gear that others might have, the Titan Pro-4X is mostly about getting where you need to get rather than showing off. The 4X4 setup is very capable and rugged, getting the truck wherever you need to be provided there is ground clearance to do so. The Pro-4X package puts the Titan at 9.8 inches of ground clearance, so that means you can get to a lot of places without fuss. The 4WD system puts a lot of grunt to each wheel and the beefier tires on the Pro-4X provide the grip for that grunt.

The Nissan Titan’s problems are mostly that it doesn’t really match up to most of the other competing pickup trucks on the market. It can’t tow or haul as much as the Detroit 3’s half-tons can. But the Titan has a lot of edge when compared to the Toyota Tundra, with which it is most competitive, and the Titan includes looks that match its name. Nissan did a good job in that respect. 

Where the Titan shines brightest is in its warranty. Every 2021 Nissan Titan includes a 5-year, 100,000-mile warranty as both its bumper-to-bumper and its powertrain guarantee. That’s two years and 40,000 or more miles over and above what is the industry standard. 

The 2021 Nissan Titan Pro-4X starts at $48,470, while our nearly fully-loaded test model came in at $61,345 with delivery.