The Nissan Titan Crew Cab pickup has one of the larger cabs in the segment and clever options such as a high-utility bed that has tracks for securing cargo and a factory-installed spray-on bed liner.
The Titan has a fully boxed ladder frame with a double-wishbone front suspension and a solid rear axle. It was conceived and engineered for the American market, and it is built in Nissan’s brand-new plant in Canton, Miss., just outside of Jackson. The test truck was a Crew Cab SE with a base price of $31,250.
The all-new 5.6-liter V-8 has aluminum cylinder heads and block with cast-iron cylinder liners, chain-driven dual overhead camshafts and graphite-coated pistons. The engine has been tuned to deliver nearly 90 percent of its 379 pound-feet of torque by 2,500 rpm. The Titan can tow 9,400 pounds when properly equipped. Payload capacity, on the other hand, is only 1,799 pounds.
A five-speed electronically controlled automatic with tow/haul mode is the only transmission offered. Power rack-and-pinion steering and 17-inch wheels and tires are standard.
Four-wheel-drive Titans use a shift-on-the-fly system with an electronic control part-time transfer case. A brake-activated limited-slip traction control system transfers torque to the wheels with traction as driving conditions dictate.
An optional off-road package consists of Rancho shock absorbers, off-road tires, underbody skid plates, tow hooks and fog lamps.
The abundant torque and smooth power delivery of the 5.6-liter V-8 are evident in all conditions. The Crew Cab, whose rear seat has 40 inches of legroom, drives more like an SUV than a truck. The drawback to the extra legroom is a short 5-foot-6-inch bed. Because the majority of trucks are bought for personal use, the smaller bed is not much of an issue. A tubular bed extender, available for $280, folds out onto the tailgate to provide extra length when needed.
The rear seat back is reclined a full 24 degrees, and it has a 60/40 split fold-up feature that offers more usable space than fold and tumble designs. The rear compartment has ample storage, including bins in the doors and bottle holders in the rear-door armrests. The rear doors open 168 degrees for easy entry to the back seat.
An available overhead console system gives passengers more storage options and also comes with an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a fold-down, 7-inch monitor and 350-watt, 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system. Side-curtain airbags are optional.
The optional high-utility bed is very clever. The channel rack system can be used to anchor cleats for the adjustable tie-downs. Numerous clever accessories, from dividers and cleats to the sliding bed extender, are also available. The spray-on bed liner resists rust, protects the bed and makes the truck quieter.
To add visibility around the tailgate area at night, small lights in the side of the bed come on when the tailgate is lowered. A weatherproof power outlet is located at the back of the bed, and a small, lockable bin is built into the lower outside section of the rear fender.
Price
The test truck’s base price was $31,250. Options included the upgraded Rockford audio system, power driver’s seat, power adjustable pedals, auto-dimming rearview mirror, sliding bed divider, tow package, rear-seat DVD player, bed extender and the high-utility bed package. The sticker price was $37,240.
Warranty
Three years or 36,000 miles. The powertrain warranty is five years or 60,000 miles.
