Nissan Titan Review

In 2004, Nissan gambled and introduced its first full-size pickup, the Titan, intended to compete with the traditionl big three North American truck makers. With an unconventional look and comfort-oriented interior, Nissan succeeded in its mission and won over a new generation of truck drivers. The titan is the first truly full-size pickup in nearly 25 years from anyone other than the Big Three, and the first ever from a company whose world headquarters are located outside of North America.

See also the main fact sheets for the Nissan Titan.

High Points

 * Rugged, sporty look
 * Best in class interior volume and headroom
 * Best in class ground clearance
 * Powerful engine
 * Good towing capacity

Low Points

 * No regular cab or dual wheel
 * Relatively short bed
 * No small-engine version available
 * Styling may be too flashy for some
 * No diesel engine

Performance and Handling
There is only one engine available for the Titan, but it's a good one. A 5.6L V8 pumps out an impressive 317hp with 385 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,400rpm and powers a 5-speed automatic transmission. This is sufficient enough to propel any driver through traffic or tow a decent amount of cargo. It isn't a whisper quiet engine, but has a deep exhaust note that sounds pleasing when accelerating. Its powertrain is perhaps the most responsive among the full-size pickups with comparable engines, and the Titan always feels alert and wide awake. Unfortunately, if you don't require so much power and would rather opt for something a bit smaller, like a V6 perhaps, you're going to have to look elsewhere, as the Titan offers no alternative to its standard V8.

Handling is quick and agile. It's easy to drive the Titan smoothly or quickly or both at the same time. Ride quality is also good in most situations. In addition, 4x4 models offer a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. Simply turn a knob to shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive. This can be done while driving.

Gas Mileage
The Titan is not only available in conventional gas-powered models, but Flexible Fuel versions are offered as well. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the Titan's city/highway figures are as follows:
 * XE 2WD - 14/18
 * SE 2WD - 14/18
 * LE 2WD - 14/18
 * XE 4WD - 13/18
 * SE 4WD - 13/18
 * LE 4WD - 13/18
 * 2WD Flex-Fuel - 10/14
 * 4WD Flex-Fuel - 10/13

Safety
In safety tests performed by the NHTSA, the Titan had an average showing. Although it did receive a 5 star rating for drivers' side front-impact safety, its passenger side rating for the same test earned it 4 of 5 stars. In addition, the two wheel drive model earned 4 of 5 stars for rollover and the four wheel drive model earned just a 3-star rating. No side-impact crash test results were available.

Some of the standard safety features found across all trims are four wheel anti-lock brakes; front, side, and overhead airbags with occupancy sensors; side impact bars; and front anti-roll bars.

Reliability and Maintenance
The Titan is a young vehicle, having only been on the market for three years, and comprehensive reliability information is not yet available for it. However, Consumer Reports writes that "reliability has dropped to well below average."

Interior and Comforts
The standard interior front seat for the base level Titan XE is a bench, like the rear, which allows for the accomodation of six passengers. SE and LE models, in order to provide more comfort to the driver, feature bucket seats up front with a center console between them. These bucket seats are supportive and comfortable, with a good amount of cushion.

Dashboard readouts are clear and easily visible, and controls for items such as the climate control and stereo system are big and accessible without being gaudy. There are lots of storage spots inside, and flipping up the 60/40 seats will create even more interior cargo space for items you don't care to have floudering in the bed. Legroom is okay in the King Cab, but the Crew Cab is comfortable both up front and in the rear.

Depending on the trim you select, some of the available interior options for the Titan include air conditioning; power locks, windows, and mirrors; heated 8-way power front seats with memory; leather or aluminum steering wheel and interior accents; and navigation system.

Exterior
The Titan comes available in two body styles, the Crew Cab and King Cab. While the Crew Cab has a much more spacious back seat and independently opening front and rear doors, the King Cab features a smaller rear seat and auxiliary rear doors that open opposite of the front doors. Each of these designs has a tradeoff: though the Crew Cab has a roomier cabin, its bed is smaller; and to make up for having to open the front doors in order to open the rear doors, the rear doors themselves are capable of opening almost completely flat against the side of the truck's body.

The Titan is boldly styled. Its blocky head-on view, with its twin sloping chrome bars angling down across a bee-comb radiator presents an intimidating appearance in rear-view mirrors, a look that's simple and direct. The rest of the Titan fulfills that impression: direct and shaped by function, a true truck. Big square-shaped fender flares give it a look of rugged sportiness, and lots of chrome up front adds to the boldness, heightened when combined with dark paint colors.

There is also a bit of innovation at work on the exterior of the Titan. First of all, the spray-on bed liner provides an anti-skid surface, which reduces driving noise and keeps cargo from sliding around. It prevents scratches and rust and, unlike plastic drop-in liners, it doesn't trap moisture underneath, again reducing the chance of rust. It's also covered by the truck's warranty.

Secondly, a compartment found in the left rear fender is ideal for things like a first-aid kit, tow hitch, or flares, and it's lockable. Also, the available tie-down system which can be integrated into the bed is designed to be useful for a number of different scenarios.

Styles and Options
The Nissan Titan is available in two body styles: an extended King Cab with auxiliary rear doors and a 6-foot, 7-inch bed; and a Crew Cab with a larger cabin, four conventional doors and a 5-foot, 7-inch bed. All Titans are powered by Nissan's 5.6L V8 and 5-speed automatic, available in 2WD and 4WD, and all are offered with flexible fuel engines (FFV) for no additional cost. In addition to this, three different trim levels are available for both body styles: the XE, SE, and LE. From the XE to the SE to the LE, more features come standard and certain options become available. Standards for all models include items such as cruise control, tilt steering, and fold-down passenger seating.

With the XE, buyers will get 17" steel wheels, splash guards, black outside mirrors, air conditioning, cloth seating, and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. Upgrading to an SE will get you 18" aluminum alloy wheels with Goodyear Wrangler tires; power locks, windows, outside mirrors; body side moldings; rear sliding window with privacy glass; AM/FM audio system with 6-CD changer and auxiliary audio input; and a vehicle security system. The top of the line LE comes with 18" wheels; fog lights; tow hooks; Nissan's Utilitrack tie down system; rear sonar system; dual zone climate control; 8-way power driver's chair and heated front seats with memory; and an 8-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system with subwoofer.

Main Competitors

 * Ford F-150
 * Honda Ridgeline
 * Chevrolet Silverado 1500
 * GMC Sierra 1500
 * Toyota Tundra