The GMC Sierra Is a Handsome Alternative to the Nissan Titan
The 2021 Nissan Titan and the 2021 GMC Sierra are both formidable full-size pickup trucks. There are of course other popular favorites like the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500 pickup truck. However, both the 2021 and 2020 model years for the Titan and the Sierra are compelling in their own right. So how do they compare? Is the Nissan Titan better than the GMC Sierra?
Nissan Titan features
This pickup has a starting MSRP of $36,190, according to US News and World Report. The 2021 Nissan Titan is essentially unchanged for 2021, except for a minor price jump to an MSRP of $36,550. However, the 2020 Titan has a long list of new features and updates. New for the 2020 Nissan Titan are increased horsepower and torque from the familiar V8. A nine-speed automatic transmission pairs with that to create what Car and Driver calls a “simpler recipe” with “better ingredients.”
This improvement gives the 2020 Titan a maximum payload and towing capacity of 1,680 and 9,370 pounds, respectively. So, the Titan’s strength is certainly not its hauling capability. In fact, the Nissan Titan is an OK truck for commuting and mid-weight towing and hauling duty. But the segment as a whole has so many top-notch options, what convinces someone that the 2020 or 2021 Nissan Titan is the best choice when they decide to buy one?
Tech, comfort, and warranty
The Nissan Titan received some hefty tech updates for 2020. So both the 2020 Nissan Titan and 2021 model year come with what Car and Driver terms “technological garnish.” While the ‘zero gravity’ seats are seriously comfortable, the rear seat is cramped compared to the vast seating offered by other full-sizers.
Standard tech in a 2020 or 2021 Nissan Titan gives you a quiet cabin with a completely updated gauge display and 8-inch infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Audio are among the standard connectivity options available for a 2020 Titan or newer. Plus, there are standard driver tech features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. Top that off with comprehensive towing tech and a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty and we can begin to see what sells these trucks to prospective buyers who walk into a Nissan dealer.
GMC Sierra features
The 2020 GMC Sierra remains handsome, but the 2021 Sierra is bringing it. With a big push in an attempt to maintain an advantageous position with its full-size adversaries, the 2021 GMC full-size pickup truck added some features. The Elevation package, for one, looks good and we approve.
The 2020 version shows an MSRP of $29,600 according to US News and World Report. The 2021 GMC Sierra’s MSRP is right at $29,700 according to Autotrader. Additionally, the 5.3-liter V8 diesel engine gets a $1500 discount from the previous model year. Now, according to Car and Driver, it only costs $995.
The 2021 GMC Sierra has added some amazing tow technology. It’s here to up the game in the world of modern towing. It also starts much lower to give you financial wiggle room for adding options and customizing your Sierra configuration.
Tech, comfort, and warranty
In terms of tech, the towing upgrades will have cameras all over the place and a new jack-knife warning. Beyond the towing features, the 2021 GMC Sierra is equipped with a straightforward and userfriendly display and infotainment system. While the GMC Sierra pickup truck doesn’t offer as many fun storage options as the Nissan Titan, it does offer the only carbon fiber bed lining.
The cabin is more spacious than the Titan. However, the warranty is a couple of years shy of the Nissan Titan with 3 years of coverage. Overall, though, the GMC Sierra is a handsome alternative to the Nissan Titan.
