Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products are for review purposes only and supplied by esi-solutions. Opinions are 100% my own.
Source: Nissanusa.com
A few months back I had discussed the Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X with other car writers and the consensus was the same. This truck, an all-new model from Nissan, is a total beast, which naturally made me want to do more than just walk around it.
First Impressions
Late one Friday afternoon this 310 horsepower with 555 lb-ft of torque came rumbling into my driveway. The rumble comes from the Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine. I think I ran up to it and then abruptly stopped. The Titan was bigger than I remembered. In fact the hood came above my shoulders. The side mirrors with tow mirrors were bigger than my head.
I grew to love the tow mirrors that offer the best visibility. Throw in the rear camera and 360 camera and I was able to see every angle of the truck and where I was going at all times.
Would I even be able to drive and park this truck? Could I get in it without making a running jump? There were no running boards on this model. The answer to all of those questions is yes, and it didn’t take long to get used to Titan or how to handle it.
On the Outside
Walking around the 2016 Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X it exudes power. It was often the biggest vehicle (20 ft long) in the lot, towering over the rest and showing off its tail by offering a longer bed than other nearby trucks (6.5 ft). This truck commands respect. Many times when I jumped out of it other truck owners had ambled over and wanted to take a look or ask questions about the ride and how I liked the Cummins engine. Not one of them owned this truck but they all looked at with envy and a few sighs as their eyes slid over the chrome styling, two-tone paint with gloss metallic black paint and all terrain off-road tires. I liked the tailgate area illumination, the 110v outlet in the bed of the Titan and LED under rail bed lighting.
No matter what angle you are taking in the Titan is just a good-looking truck that turns heads and feels like the biggest vehicle on the road, even if that is not the case.
Source: Nissanusa.com
Get In
Source: Victoria Mason
Inside the Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X you will find ample storage in the console, all doors and under the cab seat where you can store all your work supplies out-of-the-way. The 5-passenger truck can actually hold five adults with comfort and a good amount of personal space. My kids loved riding three in the back with two booster seats and the oldest in the middle with actual elbow room.
The Titan has a simple dashboard design that I appreciated. A 7-inch display uses NissanConnect Services with navigation, remote start and plenty of apps and services without looking weighed down. Everything is within easy reach too. The addition of 12 speakers and a Rockford Fosgate system combined with driver and passenger ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel and leather interior outfit the truck in comfort and style. It definitely cannot be called basic but it is not fussy either. The Titan XD PRO -4X is just right for this Goldilocks.
Who Drives It?
One question I regularly ask myself when I test out any car or truck is, “Who drives this?” Who did the manufacturer have in mind when creating it and what part of the market are they trying to get a spot in? For the Titan the answer to this question is anyone who wants a strong truck without the more expensive price tag the bigger boys on the road posses. It can compete with diesels like the half-ton Ram Eco-Diesel model but for less money. It’s for someone who wants to feel a smooth, quiet ride while still driving a truck that can handle a lot, towing and otherwise, while offering simplicity.
The Drive
Acceleration is not quick with the Titan. Why should it be when it you buy this truck for its towing and the torque? The combination of torque and horsepower means you can tow up to 12,300 lb. You won’t compromise on connectivity to the road or drive feeling with the Titan either. I enjoyed the feeling of power from the engine every time I drove this truck. It may not take off, but it is not supposed to with all that weight. Instead it smoothly goes into action and before you know it you are speeding down the road without feeling jostled or pushed around.
Here’s a bit of a fun fact. I drive an older model Nissan Pathfinder. It’s my family car that I haul the kids and our 94-lb dog around in on the daily. Anyone else who drives it notices the rougher ride than a typical family SUV. It is actually one of the reasons I picked the Pathfinder over a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. It is built on a truck platform and rides like a truck. It is a truck. It is work turning the wheel and I like it. I found the Titan XD PRO-4X to be very similar in driving feel and I liked it. The Titan XD is not a looks like a truck but drives like a sedan type of truck.
Family Fun in the Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X
The girls re-enact a classic Star Wars scene. (Source: Victoria Mason)
Final Thoughts
After a week driving the Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X I felt comfortable driving it and came to love the heft and power in this truck and the confidence and strength it conveyed each time I climbed behind the wheel. The MSRP of $58,285 included the optional PRO-4X content and luxury package puts it well over the starting price of $35,000. All that truck for under $40k is reasonable and creates a nice balance between the smaller pick up options and the heavy-duty trucks out there. I think Nissan has found an excellent middle ground with the Nissan Titan XD.
