Competition fuels the automotive industry, challenging automakers to improve and evolve their lineups to more readily meet the needs and exceed the expectations of drivers. This healthy competition ignited the race to put the world on wheels in the early 1900s and continues today, as we see by comparing the 2022 Nissan Titan vs 2022 Ford F-150. Each of these full-size trucks offers something unique that forces its rival to reinvent, reengineer, and redesign.
But how is this beneficial to customers? It means we have constant access to some of the industry’s most innovative and capable trucks. It also means that the benchmark of excellence is constantly changing and improving, eliminating stagnation and ensuring the industry is continuously moving forward. So, how does this look for those trying to decide between the Titan and the F-150? It’s time to find out.
Less Is More: Powertrains
Have you ever heard that less is sometimes more? Nissan takes this approach with the Titan’s single powerplant, which might seem disadvantageous considering the F-150’s five-engine lineup. However, the Titan’s powerplant gets the job done out of the gate, leaving little need for another option.
The 2022 Titan offers the most standard horsepower in its class, courtesy of its 5.6L Endurance V8 engine that churns out 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This best-in-class horsepower makes the Titan an exceptional workhorse, while its nine-speed automatic transmission delivers fast, smooth acceleration for optimal power, whether accelerating off the line, towing a heavy load, or maintaining highway speed. So, how does the powertrain accomplish such an incredible feat?
The Endurance V8 engine combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing with electronically controlled variable valve lift, which makes the high-performance engine immediately responsive. Its Direct Injection Gas technology ensures wide-open throttle performance but doesn’t impact efficiency, giving drivers the best of both worlds. The added benefit to using a direct injection system is that the Titan’s hearty powerplant reduces engine knock and improves combustion stability for more precise control and all-around performance.
The Ford F-150 doesn’t immediately get to this level of power, especially not with its standard 3.3L V6 powerplant and 10-speed automatic transmission. Interestingly, although the F-150 may offer an extra gear, the Titan actually has a wider gear range. More importantly, the Ford 3.3L V6 only delivers 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The result is drastic, giving the F-150 the ability to tow only 8,200 lbs with its base engine compared to the Titan’s rating of 9,320 lbs. This vast difference dramatically impacts how the trucks react when hauling heavy loads.
To enjoy the same level of power as the Titan requires upgrading to an F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine. This naturally aspirated powerplant brings the F-150 up to speed, delivering 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque––slightly less than the Titan. But, of course, this upgrade means spending extra, which isn’t a requirement when you invest in the Titan.
Prioritizing Safety: Class-Leading Features
Powertrains and capability are often top priorities when shopping for a workhorse, but safety features and driver-assist technology come in at a close second. While Nissan proves that less is more under the hood, the brand takes the opposite approach with the Titan’s driver-assist features. This gives the Titan a clear advantage over the F-150, with Nissan offering the most standard driver-assist features in its class.
The 2022 Titan comes standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite and many class-exclusive features. This suite includes advanced driver-assist systems that optimize your visibility and minimize the potential for collisions when in the driver’s seat. Safety Shield 360 equips the Titan with Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist. So, how does the F-150 compare?
The fact that the Titan offers the most standard safety features in the segment fuels competition among rivals like Ford, pushing the automaker to provide comparable features via its Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. Although Ford’s suite isn’t as expansive, it outfits the F-150 with advanced technology like Forward Collision Warning with Dynamic Brake Support and Hill Start Assist. Other tools in the suite include Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection, automatic headlamps, and a Rear View Camera with Dynamic Hitch Support. However, unlike the Titan, the F-150 doesn’t include rear cross-traffic alert or blind-spot monitoring as standard features.
Nissan further distinguishes the 2022 Titan with class-exclusive standard features like Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and class-exclusive upgrades like Intelligent Around View Monitor, which provides a 360-degree view around the truck. Nissan’s advanced technologies include Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Traffic Sign Recognition, and a patented Rear Door Alert. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning is particularly remarkable since it uses radar sensors to monitor traffic ahead for sudden braking, giving you ample time to respond.
Ford offers comparable features and upgrades, including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go that works with Lane Centering and Speed Sign Recognition. Unfortunately, you’ll have to spend extra to enjoy trailering-specific features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist or parking aids like Active Park Assist 2.0. Other available features include Post-Collision Braking, Reverse Brake Assist, and Evasive Steering Assist, all of which add to the F-150’s price tag.
Confidence in the Driver’s Seat: Warranty Coverage
The 2022 Titan has another significant advantage over the 2022 F-150: its warranty coverage. Nissan offers “America’s Best Truck Warranty,” a tradition it’s proud to continue as it outshines rivals like Ford and gives Nissan a competitive edge. But how does it measure against the F-150’s new truck warranty?
Every new F-150 comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This seems impressive until you compare it to the Titan’s five-year or 100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, which proves Nissan has you covered for the long haul. The class-leading warranty covers everything from the Titan’s 5.6L engine to its suspension and beyond, minimizing your out-of-pocket costs longer than Ford. This peace of mind is priceless.
Competition Works in your Favor
The rivalry between automakers like Nissan and Ford breeds innovation, as each brand diligently works to outperform and outshine the other. For Nissan, the Titan’s single powertrain proves that less is sometimes more, especially when you offer the most standard horsepower in the segment right out of the gate. Why bother adding a half dozen powertrains to the lineup when you’re giving drivers what they need and want under the hood without making them spend extra?
While Ford takes a similar “less is more” approach to the F-150’s driver-assist features, Nissan prioritizes driver safety and outfits the Titan with class-leading technology and the most standard features in the segment. In this case, the rivalry slates Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite against Ford Co-Pilot360 in an epic battle to optimize your focus, extend your visibility, and proactively minimize any potential for a collision. Where the Titan excels, the F-150 falls short and requires spending more of your hard-earned money to enjoy the same peace of mind from the driver’s seat.
The same is true for the Titan’s warranty coverage. It lives up to its claim to be America’s Best Truck Warranty and is evidence that Nissan always has you covered long after you leave the lot. This peace of mind and the Titan’s innovative approach to performance and safety make it a hidden gem in a segment defined by fierce competition and an ongoing race to lead the pack.
