Photo: IIHS
Nissan is keeping itself busy during this first part of 2021, with the upcoming introduction of the third-generation Qashqai crossover and the recent reveal of the all-new 2022 Frontier and Pathfinder. Its Titan full-size pickup truck has already gone through all the commotion, having received an extensive redesign for the 2020 model year. But that doesn’t mean it’s off the hook in terms of scrutiny.
The 2021 Nissan Titan, in its most basic configuration, can be had from $36,550 (excluding freight). For the money, the Japanese company promises a lot of truck, as the model underwent “substantial powertrain updates,” comes with “unique styling for different trim levels” and also “offers standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all grade levels.”
But here’s the thing. That truck series that’s been the top-selling pickup range across America for the past 44 years kicks off with the 2021 F-150 from as low as $28,940, and you can even have a 2021 Super Duty for a tad less money ($34,230). And, if that wasn’t enough, the Nissan truck safety has been recently shamed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
According to IIHS, the 2021 Nissan Titan has taken “a rare step backward (and) earns a lower rating in the passenger-side small overlap test than its predecessor after changes to the large pickup’s structure.” Compared to the 2019 model year, which according to IIHS received a good rating across all six tests, this time around, the 2021 Titan only got an acceptable mark for the passenger-side evaluation.
IIHS has confirmed the new rating will be applied not just to Titan Crew Cabs but also to the 2021 Titan with an extended cab. Meanwhile, the organization mentioned that 2020MY versions weren’t tested for the passenger-side small overlap protection. According to the organization, the 2021 model’s acceptable rating for that particular test was due to “increased intrusion into the front seat passenger’s space.”
And the bad news don't end here, as the 2021 Titan’s headlight rating has also gone down from marginal to poor, so buyers might want to search for some aftermarket lights in advance of taking the big truck out for a drive in poor lighting conditions. On the other hand, IIHS did note the Titan was now tested for superior ratings as far as the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests are concerned.
But here’s the thing. That truck series that’s been the top-selling pickup range across America for the past 44 years kicks off with the 2021 F-150 from as low as $28,940, and you can even have a 2021 Super Duty for a tad less money ($34,230). And, if that wasn’t enough, the Nissan truck safety has been recently shamed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
According to IIHS, the 2021 Nissan Titan has taken “a rare step backward (and) earns a lower rating in the passenger-side small overlap test than its predecessor after changes to the large pickup’s structure.” Compared to the 2019 model year, which according to IIHS received a good rating across all six tests, this time around, the 2021 Titan only got an acceptable mark for the passenger-side evaluation.
IIHS has confirmed the new rating will be applied not just to Titan Crew Cabs but also to the 2021 Titan with an extended cab. Meanwhile, the organization mentioned that 2020MY versions weren’t tested for the passenger-side small overlap protection. According to the organization, the 2021 model’s acceptable rating for that particular test was due to “increased intrusion into the front seat passenger’s space.”
And the bad news don't end here, as the 2021 Titan’s headlight rating has also gone down from marginal to poor, so buyers might want to search for some aftermarket lights in advance of taking the big truck out for a drive in poor lighting conditions. On the other hand, IIHS did note the Titan was now tested for superior ratings as far as the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests are concerned.
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