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2018 Nissan Titan 2018 Nissan Titan

2018 Nissan Titan

Nissan's entry into the truck segment appeals to buyers seeking an alternative to the usual suspects from Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram. It's available in half-ton and Titan XD ("eXtra Duty”) models and in multiple cab and bed configurations.

Overview

The Titan's suspension is built for work. The front suspension is a double-wishbone setup, the rear a multi-leaf. The steering is a recirculating ball system for added durability and longevity over rack-and-pinion units typically found in half-ton models.

The Titan is available in a Single Cab configuration with an 8-foot bed, a King Cab with a 6.5-foot bed and a Crew Cab with a 6.5-foot bed. 4x2 Single Cab models have the greatest towing capacity at 9,730 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,930 pounds.

Other factory-installed accessories include spray-in bedliner, bed-side and channel-mounted tie-down points and 120V accessory power outlets.

For those who need heavy-duty off-road capability, a PRO-4X model is available. This model comes standard with Bilstein shocks and an electronic locking rear differential.

Life aboard

The Titan has several interior configurations running the gamut from utilitarian minimalism to full-on luxury. Nissan employed its "zero-gravity” seating architecture in the front and rear of the Titan, putting a priority on driver comfort.

Unlike previous Titan models, the new truck utilizes a more conventional column shifter. This signals a practicality shift for the Titan, which emphasized sporty performance with a console-mounted shifter in the outgoing version.

King Cab models boast additional interior tricks. With the rear bench stowed, a fold-flat rear floor and locking storage unit are both accessible. The storage area is modular, allowing for multiple small cubbies or a single, full-width compartment suitable for storing a rifle or other long cargo item.

Powertrain Options

The new Titan is available in two powertrain configurations—a 3.5L V6 and a V8, however the V6 will not be available until later in the model year. The 5.0L Cummins V8 Diesel is exclusive to the Titan XD and not available on half-ton models.

Nissan's 5.6L "Endurance” V8 is currently the only available engine offering. It replaces the 5.6L VQ-based V8 found in the original Titan. It generates 390 horsepower at 5,800 RPM and 394 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. It is a direct-injected unit and it is paired to a brand-new, seven-speed automatic transmission.

Thanks to these improvements, the Titan's estimated fuel economy is now 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined (for 4x2, single-cab, short-bed models). Further EPA fuel economy estimates should be available later this year.

Both engines will be available in two- or four-wheel drive configurations.

PRO-4X models include a standard electronic locking rear differential and low-range gearbox. This combination also features hill descent control. The PRO-4X is the only model not available in a 4x2 configuration.

Standard and optional features/strong>

The Titan is available in S, SV, SL, PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve trims.

The S model is the base. Standard features include 17” steel wheels, black bumpers, door handles, and front grille, a sliding rear window, locking tailgate, overhead LED cargo area lighting, NissanConnect with mobile apps, hands-free Bluetooth and texting assistance, air conditioning, power windows, remote keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, power locks, manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel, front and rear map lights, vinyl flooring, a 40/20/40 split front bench seat, dual 12V dash-mounted power outlets, a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat (when equipped), manual shift mode, AM/FM/CD/USB/MP3/WMA Radio with RDS and 5” color display and six standard speakers and electronic active brake limited slip functionality.

SV models add trailer sway control, SiriusXM radio, piano black interior trim, chrome interior door handles, stain resistant cloth seat trim, rear seat cushion grocery hooks, illuminated sun visor vanity mirrors, interior mood lighting, electroluminescent gauges, Nissan's Advanced Driver-Assist Display, a Class IV hitch receiver with 4-/7-pin harness, trailer brake controller, trailer light check system, outside mirrors with puddle lights, power heated extending tow mirrors with turn signal repeaters, chrome exterior door handles, chrome bumpers, front tow hooks and fuel tank/oil pan skid plates.

PRO-4X models are based on the SV trim, but add 18” alloy wheels, Bilstein off-road performance shocks, an electronic locking rear differential, transfer case and lower radiator skid plates and hill descent control.

SL models add remote start, leather seating, NissanConnect services and a Rockford Fosgate stereo system, along with auto on/off headlamps, fog lights, 20” machine-finished aluminum wheels, running boards, Nissan intelligent key, front captain's chairs with configurable center console, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, NissanConnect, Siri Eyes Free, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual zone climate control, HomeLink, chrome interior door locks, rear AC vents, a power-sliding rear window with defroster, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sonar, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The Platinum Reserve builds on the SL model with 20” dark chrome wheels, premium two-tone leather seating, Nissan's Around View camera system and bed-mounted storage boxes.

Option Packages

Certain trims are eligible for additional equipment packages. S models can be equipped with the S Convenience and Utility package, which adds front overhead storage, spray-in bedliner and a Class IV tow hit receiver with included 4-/7-pin harnesses.

The SV Comfort and Convenience package adds auto on/off headlamps, fog lights, 20” machine-finished aluminum wheels, running boards, Nissan intelligent key, front captain's chairs with configurable center console, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, NissanConnect, Siri Eyes Free, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual zone climate control, HomeLink, chrome interior door locks, rear AC vents, a power-sliding rear window with defroster, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sonar, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The SV Utility package adds a channel-mounted bed anchoring system, factory bedliner, LED under-rail bed lighting, a bed-mounted 120V outlet, tailgate illumination and a lockable rear cargo organizer.

The PRO-4X Luxury package upgrades the off-road trim to include climate-controlled front seats, Nissan's Around View monitor, outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down and bed-mounted storage boxes.

A PRO-4X Convenience package adds NissanConnect, remote start, leather seating, heated front and rear seats, driver's seat and steering wheel memory, an auto-dimming driver's side mirror, 4-way power passenger seat, heated steering wheel, power tilt/telescoping steering column and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Finally, the PRO-4X Utility and Audio package adds a Rockford Fosgate premium audio system, power sliding back window with defroster, channel-mounted bed anchors, LED under-rail bed lighting, bed-mounted 120V power, tailgate illumination and front and rear parking sonar.

Occupant safety

All Titan models come standard with front, side and side curtain air bags, stability control, active brake limited slip, LATCH points and advanced seat belts. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, moving object detection and trailer sway control are available on higher trim levels depending on equipment.

Key competitors

Buyers in the market for a pickup truck can also look at the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra twins, the Ford F-150, and the Ram 1500. They can also consider the Toyota Tundra.

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