When it comes to pickup trucks, the cost of ownership is an important aspect. Many pickups are tasked with helping their owners through the workday, and their job description can be extremely broad. For example, someone who works as a supervisor at a construction firm may need to use their truck for hauling heavy loads, transporting people, and then carrying the kids' soccer gear to practice after a day on the job, all with the same truck. Such a pickup has got to be tough.However, even tough things break down sometimes, so having a truck that's inexpensive to maintain is crucial. Enter the 2020 Nissan Titan SL. Overall, its cost of ownership is rated as best-in-class. Not to mention, the 5.6-liter V8 is regarded as stupendously reliable and easy to live with. So, while most folks debate whether the Ford F-150 or the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is better, take a step back and check out Nissan's full-size pickup from just a few years ago. Reliable And Affordable Nissan You can't get any cheaper in the full-size pickup segment when it comes to maintenance than you can with a 2020 Nissan Titan SL. If we turn to RepairPal.com, the truck achieves an annual repair cost of just $555, which is lower than some SUVs and even beats some compact models. In addition, the '20 Titan's $555-per-year amount is nearly $400 lower than the full-size pickup truck's average yearly repair cost of $936.Let's take a look at some of the Titan's competitors, and how they stack up in an annual cost-of-ownership shootout in the table below:The main reason for Titan's cheap-to-maintain nature is due to what's underneath the hood, namely its 5.6-liter V8. The engine was over 16 years old at the time. Over that long timeframe, little had been done in the way of major updates, outside of those required to meet ever-changing emissions regulations. Plus, the 5.6-liter didn't sport any sort of forced induction, and, while not out of the ordinary for V8-powered pickups, it helped keep the '20 Titan's cost of ownership lower than the competitors.When it comes to outright purchase price on the used market, the 2020 Nissan Titan SL currently commands an average of $28,030. Of course, this amount can vary widely based on a multitude of factors because, as many of you know, no two used cars are the same. It's worth mentioning that the six-year-old Titan is still, technically, eligible for Nissan's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, so long as the model has less than 80,000 miles on the clock. All About That 5.6-Liter V8 NissanTo get specific, the 2020 Titan uses the Nissan VK56VD engine. The mill belongs to the VK engine family, which traces its roots back to 2002, and is still in production today. The VK56VD, in particular, is an extremely simple engine in modern terms. It takes advantage of an aluminum construction, and the only notable tech inside is Nissan's Variable Valve Event & Lift System, or "VVEL."Being a large, naturally aspirated V8, the VK56VD found in the '20 Titan is understressed. The situation means that the less stressed an engine is, the more likely it is to last longer. Couple that aspect with the VK56VD's relative simplicity compared to other engines and its time-tested construction, and it's no surprise the powerplant has regularly managed to reach well over 250,000 miles on regular maintenance alone.Nissan Apart from its engine, the 2020 Titan also owes some of its reliability to the rest of its mechanical make-up. For starters, the nine-speed automatic transmission is produced by Jatco for Nissan under license from Mercedes-Benz. The gearbox is, in essence, a slightly modified version of Mercedes' 9G-TRONIC transmission. The unit is known to be well-built and robust enough to regularly handle heavy towing, which is a key aspect of a pickup truck's duties. However, a few owners have reported hard downshifts to first gear when slowing to a stop.When it comes to overall reliability, Cars.com gives the 2020 Nissan Titan SL a rating of 4.8 out of 5, an exceptional score. For comparison, here are its competitors' reliability ratings via Cars.com below:2020 Toyota Tundra: 4.9/5 2020 Nissan Titan: 4.8/52020 Ford F-150: 4.8/5 2020 Ram 1500: 4.6/5 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 4.5/5 Trim Levels & Features NissanThe 2020 Nissan Titan was available in five trims. At the base level sits the S grade, followed by the slightly more equipped SV. The PRO-4X sits in the middle of the lineup and focuses on off-road-oriented upgrades, including a more capable suspension. The SL grade is the next grade up in the lineup, and the Platinum Reserve is the range-topper.When new, the SL grade Titan started at $53,990 for the rear-wheel-drive version and $57,190 for the four-wheel-drive model. For comparison, the base S trim, rear-drive truck began at $36,190. Features NissanServing as the Platinum Reserve grade's deputy, the SL trim had most of what the '20 Titan could offer in terms of upgrades and options. As standard, the SL featured leather-trimmed seats with heating for both the driver and the front passenger. Other features included a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and wood-grain trim. Sitting center-stage was a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system hooked up to an upgraded stereo system, courtesy of Fender. Adaptive cruise control also came with the SL.Several options are available, too. Those who regularly pull heavy loads can take advantage of the Titan's towing package, which increases the maximum towing capacity to 9,370 pounds. You could also opt for a utility package, which adds a 120-volt outlet in the cargo bed, in-bed lighting, and a spray-in bed liner. A power-sliding rear window, powered running boards, a dual-pane power moonroof, and bed steps are all available upgrades, too. A Long-Term Investment NissanIn the grand scheme of things, the Nissan Titan as a whole is relatively forgotten about. It managed to be the least-popular full-size truck in the US for most of its life. In fact, 2020 model-year Titans accounted for a measly 2% of the US-based full-size pickup truck market, signaling the end times four years before they actually hit, and the Titan was axed. However, just because it was done away with doesn't mean it was that bad, as we've learned.At the end of the day, if you do decide to go the unconventional route and pick yourself up a Titan, at least you can count on it being reliable, cheap to own, and fairly well-equipped. What more can you ask from a pickup?
+62 others
