Heavy-duty trucks prioritize raw towing ability over passenger comfort, and the Nissan Titan XD is no exception.
Stepping up to the Pro-4X also adds a ton of luxury
features. Even more, upgrades are available through option packages. Unless you
need a basic work truck — in which case, the base S is more cost-effective — we
think the Pro-4X is the way to go.
In the world of full-size pickups, there's a defined
split between the trucks omnipresent throughout and the light-duty. And
heavy-duty pickups that could probably pull the moon if you could loop it.
However, there is one truck that expertly straddles the line between the two:
the 2018 Nissan Titan XD.
The Nissan Titan XD is
in a unique space, able to tow more and carry a more massive payload than a
half-ton truck. No matter how you view it, the Titan XD is a highly capable
vehicle sold in a variety of trims, from the reasonably basic S work truck to
the deluxe Platinum Reserve.
Those who enjoy
traversing the wilderness would do well to consider the Pro-4X trim, the only
off-road-oriented model in either truck class available with a diesel engine.
Even though it
doesn't boast the outlandish tow ratings of other heavy-duty trucks, we think
the Titan XD is worth considering if you don't need to pull heavy equipment
regularly.
The 2018 Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup that sits
squarely between the light-duty and heavy-duty versions of its competitors.
Five trims are available:
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD- S
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD SV
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD Pro-4X
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD SL
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve
All line-up of the 2018 Nissan Titan XD comes with a
crew cab matched with a 6.5-foot bed. The work-oriented S and SV trims are
available with an 8-foot bed and single cab. Shoppers can select between a 5.6-liter V8
gasoline engine -390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged
5.0-liter V8 diesel (310 hp and 555 lb-ft).
The gasoline engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic
transmission, while the diesel uses a six-speed automatic.
At the top of the Titan, XD lineup is the Platinum
Reserve trim that goes all-in with an abundance of chrome trim, premium leather
upholstery, wood trim, cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear
seats, and a surround-view camera system.
Some features are available on supporting trims as
options. The Platinum Reserve is eligible for a dual-screen rear entertainment
system with two wireless headphones. The Chrome and Texas Titan packages add a
variety of cosmetic enhancements to the SV and SL trims. The SV and SL are also
available with the new Midnight Edition package, which adds black exterior and
interior styling elements.
Driving
When equipped with the diesel V8, the Titan XD feels
like a hearty draft horse. It's not particularly fast or agile, but it can
handle some serious heavy lifting. But it doesn't translate into a stiff ride.
The Titan XD remains accommodating enough to drive every day.
The throttle response is gradual and predictable, and
the six-speed automatic transmission keeps the power on tap with smooth shifts,
which is especially helpful when towing and hauling up steep inclines.
Off-Road
The Pro-4X Titan is the only full-size off-road truck
that offers a diesel option. The low-end torque makes it easy to crawl over
boulders and up steep hills, two things the Pro-4X can do well thanks to its
low-range gearing and all-terrain tires. Its physical size is its most
significant limitation.
Comfort
The Titan XD is quiet and has a smooth ride and
comfortable seats, giving it an edge over the right heavy-duty trucks.
Operating the dual-zone climate control is easy thanks to large knobs and
buttons.
The system itself does an excellent job of maintaining
the set temperature even when the driver and front passenger dial up very
different temperatures. Rear vents are a plus for passengers in the back.
Interior
Rival trucks offer more interior space on paper, but
the Nissan Titan XD doesn't feel any smaller. In addition to its roominess, the
cabin is thoughtfully designed and features suitable materials for the class.
Technology
The Titan XD uses a lot of carryover elements from the
aging Nissan parts bin, making it feel older than it is. That's especially true
of the infotainment system and its screen. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic
alerts are available.
The audio system sounds good and is reasonably easy to
operate. There's only one USB port, and it takes a while to index your music initially,
but it's easy to search for tunes after that.
NissanConnect
supports some smartphone apps (Pandora, iHeartRadio, etc.)
Driving Safety
The Titan XD offers some of the more advanced features,
such as adaptive cruise control with forwarding collision mitigation.
Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-parking camera are
available, and all are welcome on such a big truck.
For more information on the Reliance Nissan, visit our updated inventory today.
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