2021 Nissan Titan vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, setting it apart from its more rugged competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels featured a unique grille, adding to its upscale appearance. The truck's imposing size was complemented by sleek LED headlights and optional chrome or body-colour bumpers. The Limited trim, with its 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, exuded a carlike demeanor with its rounded edges and smooth body panels. Inside, the RAM 2500 impressed with its luxurious materials and craftsmanship, especially in the upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior boasted soft-grained leather, intricate stitching, and elegant wood trim, creating a cabin that rivaled luxury vehicles. The attention to detail extended to the grab handles and shifter knob, while the optional 12-inch vertical touchscreen added a modern touch to the truck's sophisticated interior.

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from the previous year, offering three Crew Cab trim levels in Canada. Each trim had its own distinct design, with the SV featuring a dark grille, the Platinum Reserve a satin chrome one, and the Pro-4X a black grille with lava-red accents. The Titan's headlights were upgraded to provide 120 percent more light output than the 2019 model, and LED fog lights enhanced visibility. The truck's bed featured four LED light sources, improving functionality. The Titan's interior received significant upgrades, including a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim. While the steering wheel design felt dated, the overall cabin was comfortable and attractive, with Nissan's Zero Gravity seats providing long-distance comfort. The Titan's interior also offered practical features like a spacious centre console and easy-to-reach grab handles, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered a choice between two powerful engine options, both available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine delivered 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a high payload capacity of up to 1,986 kilograms and a towing capacity of up to 7,869 kilograms. The diesel variant featured a 6.7-litre Cummins inline-six engine with 370 horsepower and an impressive 850 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to tow up to 8,972 kilograms. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 offered decent acceleration and a comfortable ride, although it lacked the precision of smaller trucks. The diesel's exhaust brake was a standout feature, enhancing safety and extending brake life. Fuel efficiency was not officially rated, but the RAM 2500 averaged around 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came with a single powertrain option—a 5.6-litre V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Titan offered smooth shifts and strong acceleration. However, it lacked engine start/stop functionality, impacting fuel efficiency. The Titan's 4WD drivetrain provided an average fuel consumption of 13.4 litres per 100 kilometres, with slightly higher figures for the Pro-4X grade. The Titan's steering was traditional, with some play in the wheel, and its ride quality was average for the class. The truck's payload capacity reached up to 739 kilograms, while towing capacity was 4,178 kilograms. The Pro-4X trim featured off-road enhancements like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential, making it capable off-road. The Titan also included an off-road gauge displaying tire angle and G-forces, adding to its off-road appeal.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered versatility with three cab options and two bed lengths. Single cabs provided the highest payload and seating for three, while the Crew Cab offered more space and comfort. The Mega Cab option allowed rear passengers to recline and enjoy a luxurious experience. The RAM 2500 featured practical additions like power running boards and a retractable tailgate step, making it easier to access the vehicle. The truck's interior was spacious, with adjustable mirrors and a power tailgate. The RAM 2500 also offered features like a spray-in bed liner, LED lighting, and rear air suspension for added convenience. Diesel models included helpful features like a countdown timer for glow plugs and an analog gauge for Diesel Emissions Fluid levels.

The 2021 Nissan Titan provided seating for five or six, with front bench seats as standard and bucket seats available. The Titan's Zero Gravity seats ensured comfort for long journeys, and heated and cooled front seats were available. However, petite adults might find it challenging to find a comfortable driving position. The Titan offered ample seating space and storage, with a spacious centre console and a smartphone holder. The truck also featured a panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window, enhancing the cabin's appeal. The Titan's interior design included thoughtful touches like easy-to-reach grab handles and folding rear seatbacks, adding to its practicality.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came with a standard 5-inch touchscreen, but the 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade was highly recommended for its user-friendly interface and high-resolution display. The optional 12-inch display was a standout feature, offering a large, intuitive interface for navigation, settings, and camera views. The RAM 2500's infotainment system was complemented by a 360-degree camera system, providing comprehensive visibility. The truck also featured a large display in the instrument cluster, duplicating many functions from the main display.

The 2021 Nissan Titan boasted a standard 9.0-inch WXGA resolution infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio as standard features. The Titan's interface was responsive, although its graphics were not as modern as some competitors. The truck offered a 7-inch programmable information display and an optional Fender Premium Audio System with 12 speakers. The Titan's infotainment system provided a range of connectivity options and user-friendly features, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by major safety organizations, but its sibling, the RAM 1500, received high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The RAM 2500 offered optional driver-assist features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking. These features were not standard, but the RAM 1500's strong crash test performance contributed to a positive safety perception.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assist technologies. This included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also offered additional safety features like forward-collision warning, parking sensors, and an Around View Monitor camera system. Nissan's five-year/160,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty provided added peace of mind, making it the best truck warranty in Canada.