This Nissan Titan XD is a full-size pickup truck. According to Nissan, it plies the middle ground between 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton pickup trucks. Like the standard Titan the Titan XD is offered in regular cab, extended cab (called King Cab) and crew cab body styles. Dimensionally the XD is also similar to the regular Titan and other full-size pickups. Competitors Include trucks from Chevrolet, Ford, GMC and Toyota. All but the Toyota offer 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton models with Toyota only offering a 1/2-ton truck.
Engine choices on the Titan XD include a gasoline a 5.6-liter V8 that makes 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque and a 5.0-liter turbo diesel that's sourced from Cummins. It makes 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. The gas engine mates to a 7-speed automatic while the diesel gets a 6-speed automatic. Both rear-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive are offered. The four-wheel-drive system both a high and low range but is not intended for extended operation in either mode on dry pavement.
The Titan XD diesel has a maximum towing capacity of 12,760 pounds, which is about 1,000 more than the gas model. Maximum payload on the diesel is 2,710 pounds. For comparison the Ford F-150's max. towing is 13,200 and max. payload is 3,270.
The Titan XD model lineup include S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Midnight and Platinum. Prices start as low as $32,290 for the regular cab gas model and climb to more than $60,000 for the top of the line crew cab model.
The Titan XD's diesel engine provides adequate acceleration and no more. Unloaded, the Titan XD diesel will run from 0 to 60 MPH in about 10 seconds. On the flipside, there's almost no dent in performance with a full passenger load or 1000 lb. of cargo -- thanks to 555 lb. ft. of torque. The engine is noisy compared to a similarly equipped gas model, but certainly not the clatter box you might expect. The biggest difference is at idle where the engine can annoy in confined spaces like a garage. The heavy-duty 6-speed automatic is supplied by Aisin and is designed exclusively for the Titan XD. Surprisingly for a truck transmission, it shifts smoothly and downshifts without a clunk in passing situations. With so much torque on hand, the engine rarely revs about 2200 RPM and doesn't need to downshift for mild grades.
Because the Titan XD is a heavy-duty pickup is it not subject to EPA ratings. The same can be said for the Chevy Silverado HD, Ford F-250 and above and the Ram 2500 and above. In routine suburban commuting -- and unloaded - Titan XD diesel drivers might be able to net 17 MPG overall. Throwing in a fair mix of gentle highway cruising and you might be able to nudge that number close to 19 MPG. Those numbers are on par with other heavy-duty offerings but fall below the expected ratings for most light-duty pickups.
Considering it is a large pickup with a heavy-duty suspension, the Titan XD rides exactly as you might expect. Unloaded, there's a fair amount of bounce and juggle on badly broken roads and a bit of nervousness on the highway. Add a few hundred pounds to the bed or a full load of passengers though, and the ride gets downright comfortable. The long wheelbase and the absorbent suspension do an excellent job of softening impacts and reducing secondary motions.
On the road holding front, Titan XD isn't going to win any autocross events. It's sheer size can make it difficult to park and maneuver in tight spaces and a large turning radius leads to many three-point turns. The steering is nicely weighted but can transmit a bit too much vibration at times. Brakes seem to have excellent stopping power and the pedal is very easy to modulate. Interior noise levels are reasonable, even at highway speeds. The engine only intrudes if the windows are down or in very hard acceleration.
The Titan XD crew cab isn't the roomiest in the class but does provide ample room for four adults. There's plenty of head and leg room, front and rear. The front seats are comfortable, if a bit overstuffed. The rear seats are somewhat flat and don't offer as much comfort or support. However, they do fold easily to allow for more interior storage space. Outward visibility is excellent. Step-in can be a challenge due to the high ride height. Side steps are an option.
Interior materials are rugged, if not a bit austere. Things get better as you climb the trim ladder, but even top trims can't match the richness that can be had in the Chevy, Ford or Ram HD trucks. Thankfully the design is extremely functional. Drivers face a conventional twin dial setup that borders a programmable information display. The center stack is a model of simplicity with conventional dials and buttons - even with the top-line navigation system. The touch screen seems a bit dated with its dull finish but it gets the job done. Unfortunately, the infotainment system does not yet support Apple Car Play or Android Auto. The column-mounted shifter seems a bit anachronistic, but there's no denying its simplicity and space-saving design.
Pickups are all about cargo and hauling capacity and the Titan XD does not disappoint. Regular cab models have an 8-foot bed and extended and crew cab models get a 6.5-foot bed. There are available lockable wheel-well storage boxes and the tailgate is extremely easy to close. Inside, Titan XD offers a very large center console bin and plenty of storage cubbies throughout.
Bottom Line - When it was introduced in 2016 the Nissan Titan XD offered the drivability of a light-duty truck with the hauling ability of a heavy-duty truck. But in two short years, new designs from Chevy, Ford and Ram now offer most of the capability of the Titan XD (including diesel engine options). So, some of the Titan's "middle-ground" advantages have disappeared. That being said, Titan XD remains an extremely capable and drivable pickup. The diesel engine feels a bit less refined when compared to competitors' offerings, but there's no denying the long-term reliability of the Cummings-built powerplant. When comparably equipped, the Nissan is extremely price competitive and can be an interesting option for those not emotionally tied to one of the Big 3-brand trucks.
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