2021 Nissan Titan vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 showcased a design that was both restrained and confident, with clean lines and a blocky grille that exuded a timeless appeal. Unlike some of its competitors, the F-150 avoided aggressive, trendy designs, ensuring it would remain visually appealing even as it aged. Inside, the F-150 featured a straightforward, mechanical-looking dash that came to life upon startup. While the lower trims were dominated by hard plastics, the more luxurious trims introduced soft-touch materials and leather, though they still fell short of the luxury offered by the Ram 1500. The F-150's interior was built for durability, with a cabin that seemed ready to withstand significant wear and tear.

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from the previous year, offering three Crew Cab trim levels in Canada. Each trim had its own distinct design identity, with the SV featuring a dark grille, the Pro-4X a black grille, and the Platinum Reserve a satin chrome one. The Titan's new headlights provided significantly more light output than previous models, and the truck bed was equipped with multiple LED light sources. Inside, the Titan's centre stack was modernized with a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim. The interior was comfortable, with Nissan's Zero Gravity seats and available heated and cooled options. However, the steering wheel design felt dated, and petite drivers might struggle to find a comfortable seating position.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a variety of powertrain options, starting with a 3.3-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Other options included a 2.7-litre turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, a 5.0-litre V8 with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft, and a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 delivering 375 hp and 470 lb-ft. A 3.0-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 was also available, offering 250 hp and 440 lb-ft. The F-150's towing capacity reached up to 5,987 kg (12,300 lbs) when properly equipped. The Raptor variant stood out with its off-road capabilities, featuring a lifted suspension and specialized drive modes.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Titan came with a single powertrain option: a 5.6-litre V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth shifts but struggling in mid-range gears. The Titan's fuel efficiency was less impressive than some competitors, averaging 15.2 L/100 km in the city and 11.1 on the highway. The Titan's towing capacity was 4,178 kg (9,210 lbs), and it featured standard trailer sway control. The Pro-4X trim offered off-road enhancements like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered three cab sizes: Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew, with bed sizes ranging from 5.5 to 8 feet. The SuperCrew provided exceptional rear-seat legroom, and its rear seats could flip up for additional storage. The F-150's cabin was equipped with numerous storage options, including a large centre console bin and door pockets. A bed step was available for easier access to the truck bed.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard front bench seat, with bucket seats available, accommodating five or six passengers. The Titan's Zero Gravity seats provided comfort for long journeys, and heated and cooled options were available. While the Titan offered ample seating space, petite drivers might find it challenging to reach the pedals comfortably. The centre console provided sufficient storage, and the Titan offered an available panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window. The interior layout included thoughtful features like grab handles and folding rear seatbacks.

The 2020 Ford F-150's XL trim came with a basic AM/FM radio, while the XLT trim introduced the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition. Higher trims offered a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with 10 speakers. FordPass with a 4G Wi-Fi modem was available, allowing remote vehicle access and status checks.

The 2021 Nissan Titan boasted a standard 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The interface was responsive, though its graphics were less modern than competitors. A 7-inch programmable information display was standard, and the audio system could be upgraded to a Fender Premium Audio System with 12 speakers.

The 2020 Ford F-150 included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Ford Co-Pilot360 offered additional driver-assistance features, including blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The F-150 SuperCrew received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety features included forward-collision warning and parking sensors. The Titan offered a five-year/160,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best in Canada.