Both the Sierra 1500 and the Titan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2023 GMC Sierra 1500VS 2023 Nissan Titan
Safety
Warranty
The Sierra 1500’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Titan’s (6 vs. 5 years).
There are over 55 percent more GMC dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sierra 1500’s warranty.
Reliability
To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sierra 1500 has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Titan’s 200-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.
To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sierra 1500 has a standard 730-amp battery (850 optional). The Titan’s 710-amp battery isn’t as powerful.
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sierra 1500 second among large light duty pickups in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Titan isn’t in the top three.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Nissan.
Engine
The Sierra 1500’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 413) than the Titan’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Sierra 1500’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Titan’s 5.6 DOHC V8.
The Sierra 1500’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 82 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 413) than the Titan’s 5.6 DOHC V8.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Sierra 1500 gets better mileage than the Titan:
|
|
|
MPG |
Sierra 1500 |
|||
|
RWD |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel |
24 city/29 hwy |
|
|
2.7 turbo 4-cyl. |
19 city/22 hwy |
|
AWD |
3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel |
22 city/27 hwy |
|
|
AT4 3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel |
21 city/23 hwy |
|
|
2.7 turbo 4-cyl. |
18 city/20 hwy |
|
|
5.3 OHV V8 |
16 city/20 hwy |
Titan |
|||
|
RWD |
5.6 DOHC V8 |
16 city/21 hwy |
|
AWD |
PRO-4X 5.6 DOHC V8 |
15 city/20 hwy |
|
|
5.6 DOHC V8 |
15 city/21 hwy |
An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Sierra 1500 V8’s fuel efficiency. The Titan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.
In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sierra 1500’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. The Titan doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.
The Sierra 1500 Regular Cab 4x4’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Titan (28 vs. 26 gallons).
The Sierra 1500 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 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.
Transmission
A 10-speed automatic is available on the GMC Sierra 1500, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Titan.
Tires and Wheels
The Sierra 1500’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Titan Chrome/Midnight/Platinum’s 60 series tires.
For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Sierra 1500 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Titan’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.
The Sierra 1500 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Titan doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.
Suspension and Handling
The Sierra 1500 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’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sierra 1500’s wheelbase is longer than on the Titan:
|
Sierra 1500 |
Titan |
Regular Cab Standard Bed |
126.5 inches |
n/a |
Extended Cab Standard Bed |
147.4 inches |
139.8 inches |
Crew Cab Short Bed |
147.4 inches |
139.8 inches |
Crew Cab Standard Bed |
157 inches |
n/a |
For better maneuverability, the Sierra 1500 Standard Box Regular Cab’s turning circle is 7 feet tighter than the Titan’s (41 feet vs. 48 feet).
For greater off-road capability the Sierra 1500 Short Box AT4X Crew Cab has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Titan PRO-4X Crew Cab (11.1 vs. 9.8 inches), allowing the Sierra 1500 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.
Chassis
The GMC Sierra 1500 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 1100 pounds less than the Nissan Titan.
Passenger Space
The Sierra 1500 Double Cab has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 10.4 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Titan King Cab.
The Sierra 1500 Crew Cab has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Titan Crew Cab.
Cargo Capacity
The Sierra 1500 Double Cab has a much larger cargo box than the Titan King Cab shortbed (71.7 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).
The Sierra 1500 Crew Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Titan Crew Cab shortbed (62.9 vs. 50.7 cubic feet).
The Sierra 1500’s cargo box is larger than the Titan’s in every dimension:
|
Sierra 1500 Double Cab |
Sierra 1500 Regular Cab |
Titan Crew Cab |
Titan King Cab |
Length (short/long) |
79.4” |
79.4”/98.2” |
67” |
78.7” |
Max Width |
71.4” |
71.4” |
63.8” |
63.8” |
Min Width |
50.6” |
50.6” |
50” |
50” |
Height |
22.4” |
22.4” |
20.8” |
20.8” |
The GMC Sierra 1500 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 SV/PRO-4X/Platinum Reserve for extra cost.
To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Sierra 1500 offers an optional power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Titan doesn’t offer a power cargo door.
Payload and Towing
Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Titan is limited to 9320 pounds. The Sierra 1500 Double Cab offers up to a 13200 lbs. towing capacity.
The Sierra 1500 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Titan:
|
Sierra 1500 |
Titan |
Extended Cab 1500 |
2020 lbs. |
1574 lbs. |
Crew Cab 1500 |
2000 lbs. |
1558 lbs. |
Regular Cab 1500 4x4 |
2110 lbs. |
n/a |
Extended Cab 1500 4x4 |
2010 lbs. |
1657 lbs. |
Crew Cab 1500 4x4 |
1980 lbs. |
1609 lbs. |
The Sierra 1500 has much higher optional payload capacities than the Titan:
|
Sierra 1500 |
Titan |
Regular Cab 1500 |
2240 lbs. |
n/a |
Extended Cab 1500 |
2150 lbs. |
1613 lbs. |
Crew Cab 1500 |
2000 lbs. |
1607 lbs. |
Extended Cab 1500 4x4 |
2040 lbs. |
1697 lbs. |
Crew Cab 1500 4x4 |
1980 lbs. |
1658 lbs. |
Ergonomics
The Sierra 1500 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 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.
The Sierra 1500’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Titan’s parking brake has to be released manually.
The power windows standard on both the Sierra 1500 and the Titan have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sierra 1500 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Titan prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.
The Sierra 1500’s standard 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’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.
The Sierra 1500’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Titan’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.
The Sierra 1500 AT4X/Denali Ultimate has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Titan.
For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sierra 1500 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Titan S doesn’t offer rear vents.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Sierra 1500 (except Pro/SLE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Titan doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.
Model Availability
The GMC Sierra 1500 comes in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Nissan Titan isn’t available as a regular cab.
Recommendations
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sierra 1500 third among large light duty pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Titan isn’t in the top three.
The GMC Sierra outsold the Nissan Titan by over 13 to one during the 2022 model year.