The 2023 Nissan Titan wades into the predominately American battle for the nation’s most desirable pickup truck. Rugged exterior touches, a bed perfect for contractor work, and a best-in-class warranty make Nissan’s full-size workhorse a welcome pick. Moreover, it’s the only foreign-branded truck boasting an eight-cylinder powerplant. While it’s an all-around good pickup, the Titan falls short compared to its star-spangled competition in five disappointing ways.

1. Mediocre in-cabin storage

The function of utilitarianism in pickup trucks isn’t just a big bed and a large towing capacity. Customers need small storage space inside the cabin for every day carries. Phone chargers, maps, tools, tissues, and easy-to-grab granola bars are essential for those who need a capable pickup. However, the 2023 Nissan doesn’t offer many interior cubby holes. It saves most of its innovative storage solution to the bed of the truck.

2. No alternative engines

All 2023 Nissan Titans feature a robust 5.6-liter V8 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its 400 horsepower and 413 pounds-feet of torque are more than enough for daily use and arduous jobs alike. Yet, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and GMC offer at least two other engines in their full-size offerings, many of which are far more powerful.

3. Poor visibility out of the back and to the sides

Front visibility out of the 2023 Titan is fine, but Edmunds reviewers say “blind spots are huge. The large roof pillars and rear seat headrests obstruct the line of view when passing other motorists. Luckily, Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 includes blind-spot monitoring as a standard driver assistance feature.

4. Lacks an off-road centric trim spec

The “Big Three” American pickup truck makers are competing with each other for the rowdiest off-road model. Ford’s Raptor, Chevrolet’s Silverado ZR2, and Ram’s Rebel are near Baja-spec performance levels off the tarmac. The Titan Pro-4X version does swap the stock shocks for an off-road set better suited for rough roads and adds a few skid plates, Car and Driver says. The competitors offer better-riding off-road setups that won’t take away from on-road handling. Moreover, the Titan is a rugged truck, but no trim level provides it the capabilities to run a desert race.

5. The luxury model doesn’t impress

There’s an elephant in the room here. Given that pickup trucks have taken a turn to be more luxurious in nature, the Titan should be available in a distinguished, leather-bound spec. While the Platinum Reserve has enough chrome to look like the belle of the ball, it doesn’t hold a candle to a Laramie or King Ranch.

2023 Nissan Titan towing capacity

For daily towing, there’s nothing wrong with the Titan. Nissan says the pickup truck can tow 9,323 or 9,317 pounds, depending on the cab configuration. For most, the maximum towing capacity is enough but doesn’t match anything from the American manufacturers.

The American full-size pickup truck with the lowest maximum towing capacity is the Ford F-150 Lightning. It beats the Titan with a 10,000-pound rating.

Is Nissan still making the Titan?

For the Titan-faithful, the Nissan full-size pickup is still roiling off the production line in Mississippi. In 2019, however, the Japanese automaker reduced production to align with market demand. Last year, the Titan suffered through one of its lowest sales in the truck’s 18-year history. And there are rumors that Nissan may discontinue the model as early as next year.