There are endless trucks you can buy, new and pre-owned, although a common comparison we see at Tim's Truck Capital is the Nissan Titan vs. GMC Sierra 1500. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, you can choose from various Titan and Sierra 1500 trims and configurations, each with its own pros and cons. In this post, we want to give you a better idea of what the Nissan Titan vs. GMC Sierra 1500 offers, plus cover major categories like design, engine performance, and towing capacity. Stick around to find out everything you need to know before making a final decision.
Overview of Both Trucks
The GMC Sierra 1500 and the Nissan Titan are both pickup trucks from popular automakers available here in the United States. With the GMC Sierra 1500, you get a few engine options for both gas and diesel, plus impressive towing and payload. With the Nissan Titan, you have a more expensive truck to start with, although its base engine is incredibly powerful, and its cabin is designed to be comfortable.
Both trucks offer high-quality trims and materials, and pre-owned models can be an excellent choice for work or leisure.
Exterior
The exterior of the Nissan Titan vs. GMC Sierra 1500 is where we will start. Remember, both of these trucks are considered light-duty, meaning they are used for personal transportation and light-duty commercial purposes. Between them, the GMC Sierra 1500 has a more prominent front-end design with chrome accents, which is a favorite for drivers. The Titan is rugged, shorter than the Sierra 1500, and is generally considered more simple in its aesthetic.
Nissan Titan
- Bold and rugged exterior design and build
- LED front lighting/headlights
- Available 18-inch and 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Dampened Assist Tailgate for ease of use
- Active grille shutters for aerodynamics
- Lower radiator skid plate
GMC Sierra 1500
- Upscale and aggressive design
- LED headlights and taillights
- Standard 17-inch wheels
- Chrome or body-colored bumpers
- Power-folding outside mirrors
- The innovative MultiPro Tailgate
Exterior Dimensions
GMC Sierra 1500
- Length: 231.9 inches (Crew Cab, Standard Bed)
- Width: 81.2 inches (without mirrors)
- Height: 75.5 inches
- Wheelbase: 147.4 inches
Nissan Titan
- Length: 228.2 inches (Crew Cab)
- Width: 80.7 inches (without mirrors)
- Height: 75.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 139.8 inches
Note: These measurements are based on data from 2023.
Interior
Looking at the inside of the Nissan Titan vs. GMC Sierra 1500, you also might notice the differences in materials, space, and general layout. One thing to note is that the Sierra 1500 features more elegant upper-trim materials and interior features, while the Titan keeps its lineup comfortable and straightforward.
Spaciousness-wise, the GMC Sierra 1500 offers more overall passenger room in both the front and rear rows.
GMC Sierra 1500 Interior Dimensions
The GMC Sierra 1500 is available in three cab styles: Regular, Double Cab, and Crew Cab.
Regular Cab:
- Front Headroom: 43.1 inches
- Front Legroom: 44.5 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 66.0 inches
- Front Hip Room: 60.9 inches
Double Cab:
- Front Headroom: 43.0 inches
- Rear Headroom: 39.9 inches
- Front Legroom: 44.5 inches
- Rear Legroom: 35.2 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 66.0 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room: 64.9 inches
- Front Hip Room: 61.2 inches
- Rear Hip Room: 60.2 inches
Crew Cab:
- Front Headroom: 43.0 inches
- Rear Headroom: 40.1 inches
- Front Legroom: 44.5 inches
- Rear Legroom: 43.4 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 66.0 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room: 65.1 inches
- Front Hip Room: 61.2 inches
- Rear Hip Room: 60.2 inches
Nissan Titan Interior Dimensions
The Nissan Titan is available in two cab styles: King Cab and Crew Cab.
King Cab:
- Front Headroom: 40.9 inches
- Rear Headroom: 38.7 inches
- Front Legroom: 41.8 inches
- Rear Legroom: 24.8 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 63.3 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room: 64.6 inches
- Front Hip Room: 60.8 inches
- Rear Hip Room: 59.4 inches
Crew Cab:
- Front Headroom: 41.0 inches
- Rear Headroom: 40.4 inches
- Front Legroom: 41.8 inches
- Rear Legroom: 38.5 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 63.3 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room: 63.6 inches
- Front Hip Room: 60.8 inches
- Rear Hip Room: 60.3 inches
Engine and Performance
If you're curious about the engine and performance options for the Nissan Titan vs. GMC Sierra 1500, here's what those look like for either pickup. The Nissan Titan, in more recent releases, has come with a single engine style: a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.
The GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck is available in four engine styles, including the 2.7-liter TurboMax (310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque), a 5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque), a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel (305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque), and a 6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque).
Towing Capacities and Payload
The towing and payload capacities of the Nissan Titan vs. GMC Sierra 1500 are another competitive category for these light-duty pickups. As we mentioned, the GMC is rated higher for its towing and general capabilities, but the Titan is still impressive nonetheless.
Nissan Titan:
- Maximum towing capacity: 11,050 pounds (when equipped with a gooseneck hitch)
- Maximum payload capacity: 1,710 pounds
GMC Sierra 1500:
- Maximum towing capacity: 13,200 pounds (with Max Trailering Package)
- Maximum payload capacity: 2,240 pounds
Pricing and Value
The general pricing and value of the Nissan Titan versus the GMC Sierra 1500 are notable, with the Titan being more expensive to start, but the Sierra reaching higher MSRPs in its deluxe trims. The value of the Sierra 1500 is also stronger in the long term than the Titan, and Nissan has recently stopped producing this truck altogether.
According to data, the Sierra 1500 holds a value 7.28% higher than industry averages over a decade, while the Titan holds its value at 3.25% higher than industry averages. Both are decent, but the GMC wins.
Get the Nissan Titan or GMC Sierra 1500 at Tim's Truck Capital
Here at Tim's Truck Capital, we proudly serve the communities of Concord and Manchester, NH, and we have a wide selection of used trucks to choose from. We have the Nissan Titan and GMC Sierra 1500 available for test drives, and we're here to answer any questions you may have. Stop by today, and we will help you find the perfect pre-owned vehicle!
Sources: https://www.gmc.com/shopping/configurator/truck/2025/sierra/sierra_1500/, https://www.iseecars.com/car/2023-gmc-sierra_1500-dimensions, https://www.iseecars.com/car/2023-nissan-titan-dimensions, https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/discontinued/titan.html