Nissan's Titan may be worth a look

The strong brakes and standard V-8 are some of the Titan's strong points. (Nissan)

Email|Print|Single Page| Text size – + By Kelsey Mays

Cars.Com / April 13, 2008

Truck buyers have given the Nissan Titan a lukewarm response since its introduction in late 2003, in part because of the limited model range: The Titan offered no V-6 or single-cab configuration, and its bed maxed out at just 6.5 feet long. For 2008, buyers finally have the option of an 8-foot bed, which most other pickups offer. Unfortunately, a V-6 and single cab version are still MIA, which means the cheapest trim level costs some $8,000 more than a base Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150. Throw in a spotty reliability record, and the Titan doesn't seem headed for widespread appeal anytime soon.

All Titans have a standard V-8 and automatic transmission, and the only cab styles available are an extended King Cab and a four-door Crew Cab. The interior comes in five- or six-seat layouts, and beds range from 5.6 to 8.2 feet. Most trims can have rear- or four-wheel drive. I drove a four-wheel-drive, six-seat King Cab LE.

Nissan's stout 5.6-liter V-8 generates 317 horsepower and 385 lbs.-feet of torque. I didn't have a chance to drive with a fully loaded bed, but with one passenger and about 200 pounds of lumber, the drivetrain still made easy work of uphill onramps.

The five-speed automatic lags a bit in kick-down response, and its shifts are on the slow side. Fortunately there's enough power that the laziness rarely detracts from the driving experience. Without any downshifts, I was able to comfortably pass on the highway, scooting from 60 to 70 mph in fifth gear at just 1,900 rpm. With proper equipment, the Titan can tow up to 9,500 pounds. That beats the Dodge Ram 1500 (9,100 pounds), but falls short of other full-size pickups.

Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are standard, and the front discs have increased from 12.6 to 13.8 inches for 2008. The brakes are among the Titan's high points: They're powerful but easy to modulate for smooth stops.

Like most large pickups, the Titan's ladder frame rides an independent front and non-independent rear suspension. That bodes well for off-roading and heavy-duty wear, but not so well for bumpy roads, where the rear wheels dance around a bit. As pickups go, the Titan actually does an admirable job of keeping its footing. Potholes and speed bumps elicit some reverberations, but the suspension regains its composure after a moment or two. The highway ride is not as impressive. On smooth pavement, I cruised in near-silence, with little road noise and none of the unsettling creaks that characterize some body-on-frame trucks. But rougher patches bring out the Titan's roots. On one stretch of road, the dashboard and headliner rattled incessantly, and the suspension settled into a turbulent rhythm.

Like many trucks, the Titan exhibits noticeable body roll, and the suspension dives forward a bit under heavy braking. The steering wheel has less power assistance than I would expect in a pickup, so tight parking-lot maneuvers require a bit of effort. The payoff comes on curvy roads, where the wheel preserves a feeling of connection with the road that's rare in this class.

The Titan's massive grille is becoming familiar these days - in Nissan's lineup, it adorns one other truck and three SUVs. Close observers will notice some changes for 2008 in the Titan's headlights and grille framework, but the differences are slight.

The cabin in my test truck had a lot of typical big-pickup fixtures - hefty door handles, a big armrest and no shortage of overhead storage bins - but enough rich textures to avoid the austerity commonly associated with pickup interiors. The front seats are wide and comfortable, though the adjustment range of the power driver's seat was limited. The rear doors swing nearly 180 degrees to access the rear seats, but they also anchor the front seat belts, so people in front have to unbuckle if someone in back needs to get out. Legroom is limited back there, but I have yet to find an extended cab pickup where it isn't.

Nissan redesigned the center controls this year. The chrome-ringed dials are attractive, but they might prove difficult to use if you're wearing gloves.

Active head restraints for the front seats and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard, and an electronic stability system is optional. Side-impact airbags for the front seats are optional, as are side curtain airbags for both rows. Three-point seat belts for all three rear seats are standard, but the three-seat bench up front has an old-school lap belt in the center. That's still the norm for most extended and crew cab pickups, though the Tundra now provides a three-point belt for the position.

The Titan's reliability is disappointing. Consumer Reports has given it poor marks in recent years, citing trouble spots with squeaks and rattles, braking hardware and power accessories. For 2008, the publication rated the two-wheel-drive Titan "Worse Than Average" for predicted reliability, while the four-wheel-drive Titan rated "Much Worse Than Average."

A two-wheel-drive King Cab XE starts at $24,390. Standard features include a six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control, and air conditioning. The SE ($26,650) adds alloy wheels, remote keyless entry and power windows, door locks and mirrors. PRO-4X models ($31,980) have various offroad enhancements. The LE ($32,620) loses most of the offroad hardware but gets 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated power seats and more. A navigation system, a moonroof, rear parking sensors, and a backseat DVD entertainment system are optional.

Moving from the King Cab to the Crew Cab runs around $2,500, while four-wheel drive adds nearly the same amount. Upgrading to the long bed adds about $500. With a full range of options, the Titan LE tops out around $46,000.

Base list prices

$24,390 to $32,620

EPA fuel economy

City: 12 miles per gallon; Highway: 17 miles per gallon

Available engines

317-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 317-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 (flexible)

Available transmissions

5-speed automatic w/OD

What we like

Brutish power

In-your-face styling

Front-seat comfort Solid brakes