is a capable full-size pickup truck with a chops to handle moderate off-road conditions, but it is outclassed by its contemporary rivals when it comes to advanced off-roading.

If you’re a driver who loves taking the path less traveled—or never traveled before—finding the right car can be the difference between the off-road adventure of your dreams and a monotonous life spent on the highway. But what exactly should you keep your eyes peeled for when shopping for the perfect off-road pickup?

Luckily,

Jerry

, the #1 rated

car insurance

comparison shopping

super app

, is here to answer that question—and many more—about the 2021 Nissan Titan full-size pickup truck. We’ll break down the Nissan Titan spec by spec to determine whether or not it’s the best choice for off-roading, as well as comparing it to other vehicles in its class.

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

Can the 2021 Nissan Titan go off road?

Yes—the 2021 Nissan Titan pickup is well-equipped to tackle certain off-road conditions. That being said, it lacks some of the qualities that would make it a serious off-roader’s first choice.

Part of the trade off for having fewer off-road features is that the 2021 Nissan Titan is relatively cheap, with a base price of $38,810. However, if you want to upgrade to all-wheel drive—necessary if you plan on off-roading—it’ll cost you extra.

So, you know now that the Nissan Titan can go off-road, but what are the key specs that make the distinction between an off-road-capable pickup and one designed for the highway? Let’s take a closer look.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance is one of the first specs you should be looking for when shopping for an off-road vehicle. When it comes to the 2021 Nissan Titan, a minimum ground clearance measurement of 9.8 inches makes it more than capable of tackling moderate to challenging off-road conditions.

As a general rule, vehicles should only be used for off-roading if they have a ground clearance measurement between 8.8 and 10.6 inches. Vehicles with a ground clearance lower than 8.8 inches risk sustaining undercarriage damage as the result of off-roading due to being too low to the ground.

Torque

Vehicles with low-end torque specs are generally better when it comes to off-roading. Low-end torque refers to a torque output that is high in terms of pound-feet, but lower in terms of RPMs. This is because power is more important than speed while off-roading.

The 2021 Nissa Titan’s 5.6-liter V-8 engine boasts a maximum torque output of 413 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM. This is a great example of low-end torque with a high pound-feet output at a relatively low RPM.

Tires

The 2021 Nissan Titan’s P265/70SR18 tires are generally regarded as being adequate for off-road purposes. If you have absolutely no idea of what P265/70SR18 means, here’s what you need to know:

P265/70SR18 tires have a tire width of 265 millimeters, or 10.4 inches, and an aspect ratio of 70%. A tire’s aspect ratio is the measurement of its sidewalls—from the rim to the tread. The 18 at the end of the tire code means that these tires are designed to be installed on 18-inch wheels.

Drivetrain

The 2021 Nissan Titan features standard rear-wheel drive—less than ideal for off-roading. You can, however, upgrade to all-wheel drive for an additional cost. If you plan on tackling the trails at any time in your Titan, the upgraded drivetrain is well worth the investment.

Angles

Off-roading is all about angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:

Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

Looking at the Nissan Titan’s approach and departure angles, it becomes clear that the pickup wasn’t necessarily designed to be an off-road truck. Coming in at 22.8 and 23 degrees respectively, the Titan’s angles are adequate for tackling gentle rises and falls in terrain, but this truck falls flat when it comes to more intense rock crawling.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Utilizing

Jerry’s

super-sophisticated DIRT rating system—broken down in the table below— we’ve rated the 2021 Nissan Titan’s off-roading prowess.

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

We’re giving the 2021 Nissan Titan an R rating when it comes to its off-roading capabilities. While the Titan is more than capable of handling casual off-road situations, more serious terrain could potentially prove dangerous and destructive if you’re not careful. If you’re in the market for a pickup that can take you anywhere you want to go—regardless of the terrain—you might want to look elsewhere.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable, powerful pickup. But if you’re interested in something cheaper, more eco-friendly, or just more capable off-road, here are some great alternative trucks.

Alternative	Model	Price	Powertrain
Best affordable alternative	2022 RAM 1500 Classic	$29,515	305-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine
Best eco-friendly alternative	2020 RAM 1500	$32,145	395-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 engine w/electric motor
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2022 Toyota Tundra	$35,950	348-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

The 2021 Nissan Titan might have limits when it comes to off-roading, but finding affordable car insurance shouldn’t be one of them. Off-road capable vehicles tend to be more expensive—both to buy and to insure, but you can rest assured you’re getting the best insurance at the lowest rates when you shop using the #1 rated car insurance super app

Jerry

As a

licensed insurance broker

, Jerry makes it easier than ever for drivers to find affordable, reliable car insurance coverage. By partnering with 50+ of the nation’s top insurance providers, Jerry offers users custom competitive quotes on car insurance, all within one minute of signing up!

And the best part? Jerry saves users an average of $800+ a year on car insurance alone! That’s a good chunk of change to go towards buying a new lifted suspension or a set of all-terrain tires to really enhance your off-roading experience.

“I thought I was already paying the lowest rate possible for my age group, but
Jerry
found me a better deal for the same coverage with Travelers! Everything went so smoothly that I couldn’t help but make a change right away.”—Athit S.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry