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Budd Stanley photos
Nissan Titan XD
The front fascia is a bit bold, but overall, we like the Titan XD’s design.
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Nissan
Nissan Titan XD
At 555 lb-ft, the new 5.0L Cummins is an absolute gem.
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Nissan
Nissan Titan XD
A simple and clean layout is key for a trucks dash, but the real treat is the seats.
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Budd Stanley photos
Nissan Titan XD
Cocking a wheel in the air on a long wheelbase double cab truck is impressive enough, getting out of this situation was even better.
Review & photos by Budd Stanley
Nissan’s New Heavy Hitter - The new Titan XD mixes business with pleasure as a segment leader
Nissan’s all-new Titan XD isn’t a half-ton, nor is it a three-quarter ton, I like to call it a half-ton and a half… or “half and half.” For the sake of classification the EPA has labeled the XD a Class 2B (aka – a three-quarter ton), but in all reality it is a three-quarter ton from the era of 2003 to 2005. That means it’s quite happy to haul 907 kg (2,000 lb) in the bed or 5,460 kg ( 1 2,038 lb) worth of trailer with the aid of Cummins turbo diesel power. Nissan have essentially created their own niche segment marrying heavy-duty capabilities in a smaller half-ton package with fuel efficiency to match.
As such, do not consider this the replacement of the Nissan Titan, in fact Nissan’s engineers confirmed to us that there is not one single bolt that carries over between the Titan XD and the soon to be released Titan half-ton pickup.
When Nissan Canada got their hands on the pre-production test mule, they made sure that the new XD passed several uniquely Canadian tests, such as cold weather startup and freezing seals. Believe it or not, one of the most important was the sound levels of the diesel engine; tested by making a clear order at a Tim Hortons.
So, did all the hard work produce a truck ready to lift the Titan name out of the doldrums? Well on paper, it looks pretty good, but the real test comes when the rubber hits the tarmac, or in our case, the dirt.
On Paper
Lets get to the meat of the situation, and that is the 5.0L Cummins twin-turbo V-8 sitting under the hood. Producing 310 hp and nice round 555 lb-ft, the big Cummins is the heart of the XD. It’s big enough to vastly increase the Titans working credentials while small enough to make the half-ton sized XD competitively efficient. All that torque is first routed to a 6-Speed Aisin automatic transmission before being sent on to an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case where it is directed to both the 10.5-in solid rear axle (also found in the Ram Power Wagon) and the independently suspended 9.25-in front differential. The front gets coil springs while ancient leafs still hold up the rear, but don’t be fooled as they have been tweaked by Nissan to offer a comfortable unloaded ride, then firm up once a load has been put on them.
The frame is one of the major keys to the XD’s new found capabilities, starting with the chassis from a NV2500, Nissan added extra reinforcements for increased rigidity and resistance to torsion and bending.
Design wise, I’m having quite a bit of trouble deciding whether I like or hate the new Titans polarizing looks. For the most part it’s fantastic, however it looks like it took a Tyson haymaker to the face. Its large eyes look dazed and the swollen nose smacks of over compensation. Foreign trucks have always suffered from ‘little truck syndrome’ amongst the vast majority of truck buyers. It’s hard to respect Titans puffed up chest in a day when aerodynamics are so important.
In the interior, passengers are spoiled with the NissanConnect navigation and apps, climate controlled front and heated rear seats, Rockford Fosgate sound and 360 degree view camera. Not to mention the new design is fairly pleasing to the eye. My only real complaint is the steering wheel controls are a little confusing.
However, the pièce de résistance is Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats. They are simply awesome. I really don’t think about seats too much when buying a new vehicle, but after a full day in the Titan, I can honestly say these seats are likely the best I’ve ever sat in. They may not be the most supportive, but overall the Zero Gravity’s eliminate any pressure points that make long distance driving a chore. Those who spend long hours in their truck will want the Titan just for the seats.
Along with the usual cosmetic and drivetrain updates, Nissan have really put a lot of thought into the XD, particularly for the working man. Conveniences such as LED bedrail lighting, 120-volt outlet, flush mount fifth-wheel hitch, attachable bed storage containers over the wheel wells, Nissan’s Utili-track Bed Channel System and the brilliant trailer light self check. By operating the XD’s key fob, one person can cycle through all the taillights on the trailer while standing behind. Several other towing features such as camera backing, trailer sway control and a brake controller all combine to make towing an anxiety free affair. One thing I really like is that the headlights will automatically level once weight is place on the rear of the truck so that you don’t blind every oncoming vehicle.
On-Road
The Titan XD feels like a big truck on the road, but also provides a slightly nimbler feel to that of the Ram or GM 1500’s. It produces a very smooth ride and power delivery, so much so I could barely notice the 750 lb bin of sand Nissan tossed in the rear. During acceleration, the XD is very responsive off the line, the boost transition between small and large turbo is noticeable and gives passengers an extra little jolt backward as it spools up.
There are no fuel consumption ratings from Nissan as the EPA considers the XD to be a Class 2B truck (aka, a three-quarter ton), and therefore Nissan are not obligated to test the XD’s fuel efficiency. Personally, I think they should go ahead and do it anyways, because there really isn’t anything to be ashamed of. I was able to conduct a quick (and not so accurate) fuel efficiency test on my own and managed to score a 9.9L/100km on the highway, albeit with a fair bit of down hill cruising, while I managed a combined average of around 16.1L/100km which included a mixture of city, highway, acceleration tests and some off-roading. We’ll be sure to get some harder numbers once we get some more time behind the wheel.
Off-Road
When it comes to off-road duties, we went straight for the keys to the PRO-4X equipped Titan. The PRO-4X trim adds Bilstein shocks, LED headlights, 18-in wheels with all terrain tires, skid plates, a rear E-locker, Hill Descent Control and a Rockford Fosgate sound system.
Playing in the Butcher Jones Recreational Reserve (along the same trails used by Nissan to develop the PRO-4X) in the Tonto National Park, the PRO-4X made short work of the grade five trails. Working our way over moderate terrain containing loose rock, steep climbs and small washouts, the PRO-4X’s 285/65R18 General Grabber APT’s dominated the arid landscape.
The long wheelbase double cab performed better than I expected. As the PRO-4X lacks front air dams, the approach angle increases to 20.9-degrees over the stock trim. This helped crossing one washout where we used the front skid plate to excavate some dirt, and the 4WD system kept us moving forward with only three wheels touching the ground. The Hill Descent Control is very strong and did a fantastic job of holding the heavy XD on descents down steep terrain, likewise the electronic traction control managed wheel spin in loose terrain, avoiding activation of the E-Locker. However, if you really want to get into some gnarly terrain, the E-Locker is there to give you the best possible chance at success.
There were only two things I didn’t like (the headlight design and slow steering adjust), and one thing that left me wondering about future reliability - a hard shifting transmission on a Platinum Edition. Other than these minor concerns, the Cummins 5.0L is a gem, the chassis is sturdy, and the interior is a great place to spend your time.
Is this going to transform into a bush truck? Absolutely not. However for those drivers looking to build a long distance overland expedition rig, or a capable tow rig for the rock crawler, the Titan XD definitely deserves a look.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- MSRP: $52,400
- Price as tested: $73,900
- Engine: 5 .0 L Turbo Diesel V-8
- Power: 3 10 hp, 555 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Curb Weight: 3,293 kg (7,257 lb)
- Wheelbase: 3, 850 mm ( 152 in)
- Ground Clearance: 227 mm ( 8.9 in)
- Approach Angle Deg: 20.9
- Departure Angle Deg: 2 3.9
- Ramp Breakover Angle: 20 .1
- Wading Depth: NA
- Tow Capacity: 5,460 kg ( 1 2,038 lb)
- Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): NA