Nissan has completely redesigned its Titan for 2016. Now called the Titan XD, it is available only as a crew cab and only with a 6.5-foot bed. With a front bench seat, the Titan XD is capable of carrying six passengers. Two-wheel drive is standard, with optional 4-wheel drive accessed easily via a switch-operated 2-speed transfer case. Nissan claims the XD "combines the capability of a heavy-duty hauler with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup."
The Titan XD rides on a boxed ladder frame borrowed from Nissan's line of commercial vans. Front suspension is courtesy of reinforced double-wishbones and a stabilizer bar, while the rear features a multi-leaf setup. Brakes are 14.2-inch vented discs in front and 14.4-vented discs in the rear, which provide plenty of stopping power for the big Nissan.
Power comes from either a 5.6L gasoline V8 or a 5.0L V8 turbodiesel. The gas V8 produces 390 horsepower and 401 pound feet of torque, while the Cummins diesel makes 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. The gas V8 is mated to a 7-speed automatic, while the diesel is paired with a 6-speed automatic. When properly equipped, the diesel XD can tow up to 12,300 pounds.
No matter which engine is powering the Titan XD, trim levels include standard Nissan nomenclature, with S, SV and SL, plus a Platinum Reserve trim. In the S, buyers get 17-inch painted steel wheels, manual folding mirrors, fixed cargo tie-downs, and an easy-to-control dampened opening tailgate with closure assist. Inside, there's air conditioning, easy-to-clean vinyl flooring, push-button ignition, a 40/20/40 split front bench seat, and a 60/40 split fold-up rear bench. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with streaming audio is standard, as is an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability, cruise control, and NissanConnect mobile apps to enhance owner experience with the Titan. A Convenience and Utility Package adds things like an overhead console, receiver hitch and spray-in bed liner.
The Titan SV adds chrome exterior trim, powered and heated mirrors, front tow hooks, a Class IV tow hitch receiver and an integrated fifth-wheel hitch, a trailer brake controller and, on 4x4 trucks, skid plates. The interior features Advanced Drive-Assist, a display front and center that provides drivers with everything from caller ID to turn-by-turn navigation, when equipped. The SV Comfort and Convenience Package adds Siri Eyes Free, a front/rear sonar system, automatic headlights, fog lights and running boards.
The Titan SL features 20-inch alloy wheels, a bed-mounted channel system with four tie-down cleats, and a 120-volt AC outlet in the bed. Remote start/stop, heated leather seating with front captain's chairs, a power sliding rear window, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and driver's side seat memory round out the SL offerings.
Finally, the Platinum Reserve brings dark chrome-clad 20-inch alloy wheels and matching trim on the grille and mirrors, plus locking Titan in-bed storage boxes. Inside, there is premium 2-tone leather seating, wood trim, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and heated/cooled front seats and Around View Monitor with object detection, which offers a 360-degree view of the Titan to help ensure full clearance around objects and pedestrians.
Safety in the big truck has not been overlooked, and standard on all Titans are anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and front airbags and roof-mounted curtain airbags for the front and rear.
Fully Boxed Ladder Frame
Available 4-wheel Drive
Excellent Power From Two Different V8s
Interior Ergonomics
The Nissan Titan XD is a new full-size pickup for 2016. Nissan is positioning its new Titan as a new class of pickup truck that slots in between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty trucks. Power comes from either a 5.6L gasoline V8 or a Cummins 5.0L V8 turbodiesel, which offers plenty of power and torque for hauling and towing. A new 7-speed automatic is paired up with the gasoline engine. A crew cab is the only cab style, as while a 6.5 feet is the lone bed length. The Titan XD can be fitted with either standard two-wheel drive or optional 4-wheel drive. The base price is $35,290.
Nissan is positioning its new Titan XD as just the right size between 1/2-ton light- and 3/4-ton heavy-duty pickup trucks. This versatility in size should suit the XD well. The new Cummins diesel will, too, providing Titan owners with an excellent platform for hauling and towing up to 12,300 pounds when properly equipped.
