2018 Nissan Titan XD: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: No significant changes for 2018
• Price change: All Titan XDs increase by $700; most option packages see a $25 to $45 increase and destination stays the same at $1,295
• On sale: Now
• Which should you buy, a 2017 or 2018? The 2017; incentives have been available on leftover models, but they won't last long

Introduced in 2016 in crew-cab flavor as a new lighter-duty three-quarter-ton option with an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 Cummins diesel, the Nissan Titan XD lineup expanded in 2017 to offer both single (regular) and King (extended) cab models along with a 5.6-liter gasoline V-8 option. There are no significant changes for 2018 except the addition of a Midnight Edition black trim package. Trims levels for the Titan XD include S, SV, Pro-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. The Midnight Edition is available for SV and SL crew-cab diesel 4×4 models.

The available 5.0-liter diesel V-8 is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 5.6-liter gas V-8 has a seven-speed automatic, the only one it its class. Both engine options can be had in rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive drivelines.

Titan XD Single and King cabs are similar in size to their Titan half-ton counterparts, but they have larger/stronger heavy-duty underpinnings that offer higher payload and towing capacities across the lineup. Single cabs get an 8-foot bed while King Cabs come with a 6-foot-6-inch bed. Titan XD crew cabs have a longer wheelbase and overall length than the half-ton models and have a 6-foot-6-inch bed.

As something of an "in-betweener," the Titan XD competes with both full-size half-ton and three-quarter-ton pickups. Nissan's intent with the Titan XD was to offer something similar to a traditional light-duty (half-ton) pickup with towing and hauling capabilities approaching those of a three-quarter-ton model, but without the traditional rough-riding road dynamics.

Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry