Driving Impression

Editor:

Mitch McCullough

“”

The Titan has a rigid frame with solid gusseting, contributing to its taut handling. Meanwhile, hydraulic body mounts smooth out the ride. It’s comfortable on the highway. It’s not the softest-riding truck, but it rides much better than the Titan XD.

The Titan handles more responsively than some of its rivals. It feels firm and controlled, offering a crisp turn-in from its rack-and-pinion steering.

The 5.6-liter V8 engine is a pleasure, with 390 horsepower and 394 foot-pounds of torque. It’s smooth and quiet during normal driving, but stomp on the gas pedal and it growls to life. If only the same could be said of the 7-speed automatic transmission, that can at times be slow to respond.

Titan is rated to tow up to 9730 pounds, though we’d go for the Titan XD before getting anywhere near that number.

Walk Around

Editor:

Mitch McCullough

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The Titan’s looks were made aggressive in its redesign, with a bold front fascia, large headlights, a big chrome grille. Two-tone paint schemes wrap around the front bumper cover. Active grille shutters improve aerodynamics. The bed has lights that illuminate the inside.

At first glance, the Titan looks smaller than its domestic rivals, but when it’s parked next to a Ford or Chevy truck, it looks just as big. In fact, it resembles the Ford F-150.

Interior Overview

Editor:

Mitch McCullough

“”

The cab is roomy and comfortable, even the single cab on the base S model; there’s a choice of bucket seats or a bench. Cloth with vinyl is standard, upgraded for Titan SV and further for Pro 4X, the offroad-oriented model. There’s leather in the SL and special leather trim in the Platinum Reserve that feels good and looks good.

The rear seats in crew cabs are almost as comfortable, and roomy in every measurement.

Climbing inside takes some effort, especially without running boards. Step-in height is higher than that of the Ram, and the hood is high.

Crew Cabs offer full-size, front-hinged rear doors that open wide to reveal back seats that are roomy as well as comfortable. Storage is available underneath, and the rear seats fold down to a flat load floor, though that floor is too high for a big dog.

Summary

Editor:

Mitch McCullough

“”

The standard V8 engine is quick and delightful, although the 7-speed automatic transmission can be slow to shift. It can tow more than four tons, with excellent adjustable standard trailer brakes. The handling is taut and steering tight. The cab is roomy and comfortable. It’s as good as its Toyota, Ford, Chevy and Ram rivals.

Mitch McCullough is the editor-in-chief of New Car Test Drive.

Model Lineup

Editor:

Mitch McCullough

“”

Nissan Titan comes in a bewildering 52 models and/or trim levels, from the two-wheel-drive Single Cab Titan S ($30,030) with cloth upholstery and six-speaker audio, to the four-wheel-drive Diesel Crew Cab Platinum Reserve.