Not Sure Which Truck Will Be Your Next Ride?
Choosing a new truck in 2018 is no small feat. There are seemingly endless options with different upgrades, trims, and packages to choose from as well. With all of the options available out there, how does one decide which truck to purchase? It can be a daunting task, there’s no doubt about it. However, in the battle between the GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2018 Nissan Titan XD, although the competition is fierce, there is a clear winner. This article will detail the specs, features, abilities, and ratings that set these two vehicles apart. If you’re in the market for a new truck and have narrowed it down to the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD and the 2018 Nissan Titan XD, you’ve come to the right place.
Towing Capability and Capacity
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new truck is the towing capability. You want to be able to easily tow any and all equipment necessary for work or play without any issues. That being said, finding a truck that has a high towing capacity and other great features and stats can be difficult. The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD is both reliable and safe. It’s towing capacity is outstanding: the maximum towing capacity is 14,500 LBS. The fact that this truck could easily tow a boat, trailer, camper, or whatever else you may need to move is a major selling point. The 2018 Nissan Titan XD has a maximum towing capacity of 9,740 LBS, which is still significant. Although it doesn’t quite stand up to the towing capacity of the GMC Sierra 2500HD, it would definitely get your average job done.
Safety
Another important consideration to make when purchasing a new truck is the safety rating. Driving a truck that is safe and reliable is imperative, especially if this truck would be used for work or for transporting family and friends to different locations. Both the GMC Sierra and the Nissan Titan scored four out of five stars on the NHTSA Crash Test Safety Rating, which is good for a vehicle of their sheer size. Despite the fact that the NHTSA scored them with four out of five stars, both trucks come equipped with a ton of great safety features. For example, here are a few of the safety features that the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD has to offer:
- 6 Airbags
- Daytime running lamps
- OnStar and GMC Connected Services
- Rear Vision Camera
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
- Teen Driver
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The aforementioned features are definitely an indicator that this truck was built with safety and quality in mind. Similarly, the 2018 Nissan Titan XD has a plethora of great safety features. Some of which are listed below:
- Electronic Stability Control
- ABS and Driveline Traction Control
- Curtain 1st Row Airbags
- Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
- Rearview Monitor Backup Camera
While reviewing the safety features included in both of these trucks, it becomes obvious that these trucks are competitive with one another and among the other trucks in their class.
Fuel Efficiency and Fuel Tank Capacity
Two major facts to consider when purchasing a new vehicle are the fuel efficiency and the fuel tank capacity. If you’re interested in a truck that will decrease the “gas guzzling” stereotype, the GMC Sierra 2500HD may be the truck for you. This truck has a fuel tank capacity of 36 gallons, which is impressive. This will certainly ensure that your tank stays away from that “empty” indicator for longer stretches of time. Although the fuel tank is massive, the mileage per gallon is fair for a truck of this strength. Drivers will get less than 20 MPG, which in the end makes up for the large fuel tank capacity. The 2018 Nissan Titan XD has a fuel tank capacity of 26 gallons, which is significantly less than the fuel tank on the GMC Sierra 2500HD. That being said, the Nissan Titan XD will get about 21 MPG, which is only slightly more efficient than the GMC Sierra. The bottom line is, both vehicles are relatively similar in the fuel efficiency category.
Price
The price associated with owning a truck can be catastrophic on the wallet. Thankfully, both of these trucks will run you a relatively low monthly payment to purchase, especially compared with some trucks on the market today. Additionally, with larger fuel tanks, both will save you money on travel in the long run as well. Owning a truck can be undoubtedly expensive, but with such great safety features and towing capacities, hopefully the expense is worth the fun that you can have!
Bottom Line… Which Vehicle Is Superior?
At the end of the day, both of these vehicles are reliable, safe, efficient, and worth the investment. The fact that they are so similar can make the decision even more difficult than it already was. The consolation lies in the fact that you know you’ll be purchasing a great vehicle, no matter which vehicle you end up choosing. However, there are definitely some qualities that set them apart from one another. The best qualities of the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD are as follows:
- Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI Engine
- Automatic Locking Rear Differential
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
- Outside, Heated Power-Adjustable Mirrors
- Engine Exhaust Brake
- Trailering Wiring Provisions for Camper, Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer
- Remote Locking Tailgate
- Rear Vision Camera
All of these features set the GMC Sierra apart from the Nissan Titan. The features are important to factor into your decision. You want to make sure that you choose a vehicle that you’ll still be happy to drive 5, 10, or even 15 years from now. However, the Nissan Titan definitely has some impressive features that make it a strong contender:
- Block Heater
- AM/FM/SiriusXM Radio
- 2 LCD Monitors in the front
- Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers
- Black Power Heated Side Mirrors with Manual Folding and Turn Signal Indicator
- Deep Tinted Glass
- Tailgate Rear Cargo Access
The Nissan Titan XD is definitely a strong vehicle with a lot to offer to any potential driver. If you were to choose the Nissan Titan XD, you’d be choosing a vehicle with a lot of versatility. Both vehicles come equipped with excellent specs, great features, and fair ratings. However, it’s important to consider the vehicle as a whole. You want to make sure that you choose the vehicle that is right for you and the activities that you choose to do.
After reviewing the specs, features, abilities, and ratings, it is clear that there is a superior vehicle among the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2018 Nissan Titan XD. As you’ve familiarized yourself with the data, it has probably only made the decision more difficult on you. Thankfully, the data has been carefully considered and analyzed and we have a fan favorite! While both vehicles are solid choices that were built to last, the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD is the vehicle that will become a family heirloom. More than that, it will maintain its safety and quality standards throughout its life, and offer unprecedented power. Although there are some areas where the 2018 Nissan Titan XD was superior to the GMC Sierra 2500HD, ultimately there is little to no competition.
