Compare the2022 GMC Sierra LimitedVS 2021 Nissan Titan XD

Both the Sierra Limited and the Titan XD have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sierra Limited the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 212 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Titan XD has not been tested, yet.

The Sierra Limited’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Titan XD’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 56 percent more GMC dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sierra Limited’s warranty.

The Sierra Limited has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Titan XD doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sierra Limited has a standard 730-amp battery (850 Diesel). The Titan XD’s 710-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The Sierra Limited’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Titan XD’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

The Sierra Limited’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Titan XD’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Sierra Limited V8 is faster than the Nissan Titan XD:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Sierra Limited (except Diesel)’s fuel efficiency. The Titan XD doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Sierra Limited eight-speed Auto/Diesel’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip with its optional disable switch. The Titan XD doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sierra Limited Regular Cab’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Titan XD (28 vs. 26 gallons).

The Sierra Limited has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Titan XD doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A ten-speed automatic is available on the GMC Sierra Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Titan XD.

The Sierra Limited stops much shorter than the Titan XD:

For better traction, the Sierra Limited has larger standard tires than the Titan XD (255/70R17 vs. 245/75R17).

The Sierra Limited’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Titan XD’s standard 75 series tires. The Sierra Limited’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Titan XD’s optional 60 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Sierra Limited offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Titan XD’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Sierra Limited offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Titan XD’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Sierra Limited has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Titan XD.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sierra 1500 Limited Standard Bed Crew Cab’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the Titan XD (157 inches vs. 151.6 inches).

The Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed Denali Crew Cab 4x4 handles at .77 G’s, while the Titan XD Platinum Reserve Crew Cab pulls only .69 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed AT4 Crew Cab executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Titan XD PRO-4X Crew Cab (27.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 29.8 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sierra 1500 Limited Long Bed Regular Cab’s turning circle is 9.1 feet tighter than the Titan XD’s (44.7 feet vs. 53.8 feet). The Sierra 1500 Limited Standard Bed Crew Cab’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the Titan XD’s (49.5 feet vs. 53.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed AT4 Crew Cab has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Titan XD Crew Cab SL/Platinum (10.9 vs. 9.1 inches), allowing the Sierra Limited to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The GMC Sierra Limited may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1450 to 2150 pounds less than the Nissan Titan XD.

The Sierra 1500 Limited Long Bed Regular Cab is 1 foot, 1.8 inches shorter than the Titan XD Crew Cab, making the Sierra Limited easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sierra Limited Crew Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Titan XD Crew Cab shortbed (63.9 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

The Sierra Limited’s cargo box is larger than the Titan XD’s in every dimension:

The GMC Sierra Limited has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. A rear cargo step is only available on the Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X/Platinum Reserve/SV Regular Cab for extra cost.

The Sierra Limited has an all welded cargo box to eliminate possible corrosion spots and to provide better chassis stiffness. The cargo box in the Titan XD is bolted through the bed to the frame with large bolts. These bolts are a prime area for corrosion to start as the normal flexing of the truck’s chassis causes them to eat through the finish; they can also snag cargo as it slides in and out.

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Titan XD is limited to 11040 pounds. The Sierra 1500 Limited Standard Bed Double Cab 4x4 offers up to a 12100 lbs. towing capacity.

The Sierra Limited 4x4 with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Sierra Limited can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Titan XD can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Sierra Limited SLT/AT4/Denali offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Titan XD doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sierra Limited’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Titan XD’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows available on both the Sierra Limited and the Titan XD have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sierra Limited is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Titan XD prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sierra Limited’s basic available front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Titan XD’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

Keyless Open and Start standard on the Sierra Limited SLE/Elevation/SLT/AT4/Denali allows you to unlock the doors, tailgate and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading cargo, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Nissan Titan XD’s available Intelligent Key doesn’t unlock the tailgate.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sierra Limited has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Titan XD S doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Sierra Limited (except Pro/SLE/Elevation) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Titan XD doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The GMC Sierra Limited comes in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Nissan Titan XD isn’t available as a regular cab or extended cab.

The Sierra Limited is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Titan XD doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Sierra Limited owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sierra Limited will cost $2775 to $8940 less than the Titan XD over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sierra Limited is less expensive to operate than the Titan XD because typical repairs cost less on the Sierra Limited than the Titan XD, including $137 less for a starter, $31 less for front struts and $40 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Sierra Limited will be $21781 to $21831 less than for the Nissan Titan XD.

The GMC Sierra Limited outsold the Nissan Titan by over nine to one during the 2021 model year.