Talking about the capabilities and opportunities some full-size trucks offer for off-roading usually leads to discussions about damping, torque, vehicle weight, suspension setups, and tire sizes. All of these specially tuned components designed for off-road usage can very quickly run up the total tally of what it would cost to build such a beast. However, if you were looking to get into off-roading, but seeking a more modest approach that respected your budget, what would be your go-to solution if you were eyeing the 2022 Nissan Titan vs 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500?
The thing about off-roading is that it’s not just about the features but also about the dependability of the truck at its price point. Thankfully, there are a few options out there, like the Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss and the Nissan Titan PRO-4X, if you are looking for something under $60,000 that’s still reliable. We are here to break down the differences between the two when it comes to off-roading and what it will cost you in the end.
Starting MSRP for Off-Roading
At the outset, the 2022 Nissan Titan PRO-4X starts at around $50,700. It features four-wheel drive functionality, front tow hooks, undercarriage skid plates, a performance-tuned suspension, and various add-on packages you can utilize to upgrade the experience. With destination and shipping charges, you’re looking at a potential total cost of just over $52,000.
By comparison, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss offers you something a little bit different for a similar price. The 2022 Custom Trail Boss starts at around $49,500, which is just over $1,000 less than the starting MSRP of the Titan PRO-4X. So they’re off to a similar start. The Custom Trail Boss also comes with a standard 2-speed Autotrac transfer case, red tow hooks, skid plates, and factory-tuned suspension for off-road traversal. With destination and freight charges, you’re also looking at a cost above $51,000. In both cases, the total starting prices are very similar for the Titan and Silverado. However, there is more to the off-road features than entry MSRP costs.
Off-Road Performance Capability Costs
One of the highlights of the 2022 Nissan Titan is that all the trims have just one powertrain. Yes, it’s a pro and con, given that if you don’t need the power, it might seem like you’re paying more for what you don’t need. If you do need the power, then it’s readily available. All 2022 Titans, including the PRO-4X, come standard with the Endurance 5.6-liter V8, which outputs 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with an active brake limited slip differential with front and rear vented disc brakes.
The Titan PRO-4X also features hydraulic power-assisted steering, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, and an electronic locking rear differential. The Bilstein off-road performance monotube shocks come standard, along with an LED light array featuring signature headlights and fog lights. Hill descent control, an active grille shutter, and a lockable rear-seat cargo organizer are standard features for the PRO-4X.
When it comes to the Custom Trail Boss, however, the story is a little different and a little costlier. The Custom Trail Boss comes standard with the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which outputs 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder is married to an eight-speed automatic transmission. You get four-wheel antilock disc brakes, electric power steering, heavy-duty air filter, hill descent control, and 18-inch high gloss black aluminum alloy wheels paired with 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac mud-terrain tires. Unfortunately, the Custom Trail Boss does not come with the active brake limited slip differential like the Titan PRO-4X.
Also, if you wanted more power with the Custom Trail Boss because you felt like the four-cylinder wasn’t enough, especially considering what you get with the Titan PRO-4X, you would have to swap it out for an upgrade. Now Chevy does give you the option to customize the powertrain configuration for the Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss trim, which is a nice feature, but it also means you’re upping the cost, too. So how much will the next-in-line power plant cost you?
Well, if you want something that doesn’t run your budget too high but gives you a bit more horsepower, you could go with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8, which doesn’t have as much horsepower or torque as the Nissan Titan, but it is slightly more performance-oriented than the four-cylinder. It nets you 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, but the 5.3-liter EcoTec 3 V8 adds almost $1,700 to the total costs.
Off-Road Packages and Accessories
Off-roading isn’t just about the standard tech that comes with the truck but also the tech you can add. While the 2022 Nissan Titan and 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500’s off-roading capabilities are close when it comes to a truck you can get for under $60,000, there are some stark differences when it comes to packages that add a lot of value. Those differences mostly lie in what isn’t available for the Custom Trail Boss.
For the 2022 Nissan Titan PRO-4X, you have several accessories and packages you can add to the overall truck to give it even more utility. For instance, the PRO-4X Utility Package might be something off-road enthusiasts want to add to their configuration. It includes a lot of neat features, from a bed-mounted 120-volt AC power outlet and electronic locking tailgate to a front and rear sonar system. LED under-rail lighting and tailgate illumination are also available in the package, along with a premium Fender surround sound audio system. You get trailering equipment such as a trailer light check and a trailer brake controller. The Utili-Track Channel System with four tie-down cleats and the ability to easily add and lockdown cargo to the bed is also a nice touch. How much will this package run you? $2,190.
What about the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss? Well, unfortunately, the Z71 Off-Road Package is not available for the Custom Trail Boss, nor is the Rally Edition. The Trailering Package does come standard, so you can easily hitch a trailer to the Custom Trail Boss. However, if you wanted similar utilitarian features as the PRO-4X, they aren’t available for the Custom Trail Boss. You can, however, buy some of the accessories individually, like a Bedslide for $1,799 or bed dividers for $299. You can also upgrade the performance with a cat-back exhaust and performance air filter, but that will just keep adding to the costs.
Functional Affordability
You can match up the 2022 Nissan Titan and the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 in a thousand different ways and come out with different results each time based on what you’re looking to purchase. However, when it comes to affordable off-roading, the 2022 Nissan Titan PRO-4X gives you a lot of what you need and want right out of the gate. If you opt for the additional PRO-4X Utility Package, you’ll get tons of features that you might find useful in your off-roading adventures without skyrocketing the costs.
You could get a more feature-rich experience out of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 by opting for the LT Trail Boss trim, but then you would be adding on additional costs. The LT Trail Boss starts at $55,300, and if you opt for the more powerful V8 option, you’re now paying $59,760 just to start. If you are shopping for an off-road vehicle and want to keep total costs under $60,000, the PRO-4X is definitely a better bargain than any of the Chevy Silverado 1500 options.
