It may be considered a Japanese alternative to the Holy Trinity of American pickups, yet it’s built in Canton, Mississippi, United States – go figure. Nonetheless, DNA for the Nissan Titan reaches back to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Designed for North America
Not only is the Titan built on US soil, it was specifically designed for the North American market and intended as a direct competitor to the F-150, Ram and Silverado/Sierra 4x4 pickups. I admire the exterior design of the Titan and believe it holds its own against anything else in the field, including the Toyota Tundra and Honda Ridgeline.
My tester was the $40,780 top-line Crew Cab SL model, which was nicely stocked with comfort and convenience items sans navigation and power sunroof, part of a $3,000 option package.
While I would argue that the Titan’s exterior design is more appealing than anything else in the full-size pickup category, the same can’t be said for its spacious cabin. The interior real estate is vast and well constructed, but it doesn’t match the opulence found in the F-150 King Ranch or the Ram 1500 Laramie.
The captain’s seats up front in my tester were delightful and as comfortable as the best perches of the competition but the cabin itself was absent the upscale level of trim and high quality finishings that have found their way into the top-line F-150 and Ram of late. Still, it’s a better executed living room than that furnished by GM for their Sierra and Silverado siblings despite having a steering column that doesn’t telescope; it only tilts.
Big truck – big power
Like the domestic rigs, the Titan Crew Cab is powered by a thirsty V8 engine — and let me emphasize the thirst. While not the most powerful crew cab pickup on the market or bestowed with the best tow-rating, the Titan drinks fuel as if it were.
Displacing 5.6L, the DOHC V8 produces 317 hp @ 5,200 rpm, but more impressively, it churns out 385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm. Power is harnessed by a five-speed automatic transmission featuring a tow/haul mode.
All Titan Crew Cabs sold in Canada are fitted with four-wheel drive (4WD). The shift-on-the-fly system includes low-range gearing and a switch-on-demand locking rear differential. Also included as standard off-road equipment are skid plates to protect the fuel tank and oil pan.
Designed for North America
Not only is the Titan built on US soil, it was specifically designed for the North American market and intended as a direct competitor to the F-150, Ram and Silverado/Sierra 4x4 pickups. I admire the exterior design of the Titan and believe it holds its own against anything else in the field, including the Toyota Tundra and Honda Ridgeline.
My tester was the $40,780 top-line Crew Cab SL model, which was nicely stocked with comfort and convenience items sans navigation and power sunroof, part of a $3,000 option package.
While I would argue that the Titan’s exterior design is more appealing than anything else in the full-size pickup category, the same can’t be said for its spacious cabin. The interior real estate is vast and well constructed, but it doesn’t match the opulence found in the F-150 King Ranch or the Ram 1500 Laramie.
The captain’s seats up front in my tester were delightful and as comfortable as the best perches of the competition but the cabin itself was absent the upscale level of trim and high quality finishings that have found their way into the top-line F-150 and Ram of late. Still, it’s a better executed living room than that furnished by GM for their Sierra and Silverado siblings despite having a steering column that doesn’t telescope; it only tilts.
Big truck – big power
Like the domestic rigs, the Titan Crew Cab is powered by a thirsty V8 engine — and let me emphasize the thirst. While not the most powerful crew cab pickup on the market or bestowed with the best tow-rating, the Titan drinks fuel as if it were.
Displacing 5.6L, the DOHC V8 produces 317 hp @ 5,200 rpm, but more impressively, it churns out 385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm. Power is harnessed by a five-speed automatic transmission featuring a tow/haul mode.
All Titan Crew Cabs sold in Canada are fitted with four-wheel drive (4WD). The shift-on-the-fly system includes low-range gearing and a switch-on-demand locking rear differential. Also included as standard off-road equipment are skid plates to protect the fuel tank and oil pan.
Front tow hooks are provided as basic fare while a receiver hitch is included in all but the S trim level. My SL tester was tow-rated at 9,100 lbs, which is less than the equivalent Ram’s rating of 10,450 lbs. Nevertheless, that’s plenty of towing grunt for big toys.
The drive
Many potential customers fear the thought of navigating such large vehicles on congested city streets. The Titan doesn’t feel as large from the driver’s seat as other full-size crew cab pickups I’ve tested. It may be its short nose that contributes to this or the abundance of glass surrounding the driver.
The Titan’s relatively quick steering helps to impart a sense of nimbleness that’s not always present in such behemoths. Detracting from the ease of operation are massive A-pillars that significantly intrude upon otherwise expansive front and side sight-lines.
Parking the big rig is made easier by side mirrors that tilt downward to help see where the rear wheel is in relation to the curb. An audible warning assists drivers in knowing how close the truck is to surrounding objects. A backup camera would be a major asset in this vehicle whether the navigation system is ordered or not.
Behind the wheel
Nissan’s crew cab Titan is a delightful truck to drive due largely to its smooth ride and quiet cabin. There’s plenty of power underfoot but its delivery is abrupt. The gas pedal is sensitive and lightly sprung, resulting in unintended neck-snapping starts until a feathery foot develops.
Trucks shouldn’t be like that. Wearing clompy boots and trying to nurse the Titan smoothly through stop and go traffic takes some time to master. Yet, if that’s the worst I can say about life behind the wheel, the truck must be darn good — and it is, except at the filling station.
The tester was rated at 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. My experience around town saw average usage figures fluctuate between 12 and 13 mpg, which isn’t unusual for this sort of heavy 4WD vehicle, but it’s still not desirable.
The Titan wrap
Nissan’s Titan Crew Cab SL 4x4 is big, bold and refined; it’s also a highly capable machine that’s a pleasure to drive. While I don’t think it can match Ford and Chrysler for upscale environs, it can play equals in the sand box in many other ways while providing its owners with more distinction and exclusivity than those of the Holy Trinity.
If driving a good ol’ boy truck isn’t what you’re looking for in the way of a 4x4 luxury-liner pickup, give the Titan a run. It may surprise you.
The drive
Many potential customers fear the thought of navigating such large vehicles on congested city streets. The Titan doesn’t feel as large from the driver’s seat as other full-size crew cab pickups I’ve tested. It may be its short nose that contributes to this or the abundance of glass surrounding the driver.
The Titan’s relatively quick steering helps to impart a sense of nimbleness that’s not always present in such behemoths. Detracting from the ease of operation are massive A-pillars that significantly intrude upon otherwise expansive front and side sight-lines.
Parking the big rig is made easier by side mirrors that tilt downward to help see where the rear wheel is in relation to the curb. An audible warning assists drivers in knowing how close the truck is to surrounding objects. A backup camera would be a major asset in this vehicle whether the navigation system is ordered or not.
Behind the wheel
Nissan’s crew cab Titan is a delightful truck to drive due largely to its smooth ride and quiet cabin. There’s plenty of power underfoot but its delivery is abrupt. The gas pedal is sensitive and lightly sprung, resulting in unintended neck-snapping starts until a feathery foot develops.
Trucks shouldn’t be like that. Wearing clompy boots and trying to nurse the Titan smoothly through stop and go traffic takes some time to master. Yet, if that’s the worst I can say about life behind the wheel, the truck must be darn good — and it is, except at the filling station.
The tester was rated at 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. My experience around town saw average usage figures fluctuate between 12 and 13 mpg, which isn’t unusual for this sort of heavy 4WD vehicle, but it’s still not desirable.
The Titan wrap
Nissan’s Titan Crew Cab SL 4x4 is big, bold and refined; it’s also a highly capable machine that’s a pleasure to drive. While I don’t think it can match Ford and Chrysler for upscale environs, it can play equals in the sand box in many other ways while providing its owners with more distinction and exclusivity than those of the Holy Trinity.
If driving a good ol’ boy truck isn’t what you’re looking for in the way of a 4x4 luxury-liner pickup, give the Titan a run. It may surprise you.
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