Spoiler warning: This comparison guide isn’t much of a contest. Take your pick of comparison points, the 2019 Ford F-150 is a smarter investment and more of a truck than its rival, the Nissan Titan. Still, we’re here to do our due diligence, so we’ll crunch the numbers and run through the lists of features so you can see for yourself.
Price: 2019 Ford F-150
For starters, the Ford F-150 is more affordable. If all you need is a reliable workhorse without all the features and frills, the F-150 starts at just $28,155. Its standard features include automatic high beams, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and rearview camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist. There aren’t even power windows or door locks. But if that’s the truck you want, Ford can deliver and save you thousands in the process.
On the other hand, the 2019 Nissan Titan starts at $30,600. The upside is you get more than the standard F-150 offers, including rearview camera, NissanConnect infotainment system on 7-inch touch screen, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB port, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Getting the Titan might be worth it to you if you want all those features. Or you can just get them in the F-150 by stepping up to the XLT trim level that starts at $34,160.
Towing and Payload: 2019 Ford F-150
Where Ford really blows the competition out of the water is when we start comparing work numbers. The 2019 F-150 can tow loads up to 13,200 pounds when properly equipped, making the Ford pickup a class leader. Or you can throw your load in the truck bed and cab that handles up to 3,300 pounds.
By comparison, the 2019 Nissan Titan a disappointing 9,660-pound towing capacity or 1,930-pound payload capacity. Those kinds of numbers do not inspire, especially when stacked up next to the class leader.
Engine Options: 2019 Ford F-150
There are no fewer than six individual engine options on the Ford F-150. You can get anything from the adequate base 290-horsepower V6 to the nostril-flaring, ground-pawing 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged engine available only on the Raptor and Limited trim levels. There’s V8, there’s diesel, there’s something for everybody. We don’t know of any other pickup truck that has this variety to choose from.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Nissan Titan has only two engine options: a 390-horsepower V8 and a 310-horsepower turbodiesel. The base engine is better than the Ford’s, to the Titan’s credit. But nothing compares to the Raptor- and Limited-trim engine the Ford offers.
We could go on, but what makes a truck a great truck are all covered here. We could address fuel economy, cabin luxury, optional features and cool tech, all of which the F-150 would win. From where we’re sitting, this one is a no-brainer.