2017 Nissan Titan XD Road Test and Review

Nissan’s fresh Titan XD pickup doesn’t fit neatly among the current spread of fullsize trucks. While the standard Titan will slot within the half-ton category (think Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, RAM 1500), the XD “extra duty” occupies territory somewhere just above this range in terms of performance and durability.

Many consumers are drawn to the livability of a half-ton truck, but some face hauling and towing tasks beyond the limits of an entry-grade pickup. Options like the Ford F-250 Super Duty or Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD are certainly up to the challenge, but come at the cost of fuel economy, affordability, and drivability. Nissan’s Titan XD, in its multiple configurations, is just the ticket for customers caught mid-market.

Nissan’s first-generation Titan was a bold move into the fullsize truck market. The pickup’s agreeable design and standard 5.6-liter V8 engine immediately earned approval by shoppers who were tired of the same old Chevy, Ford, and RAM products. Options were limited to a single or crew cab, two bed lengths, and rear- or 4-wheel drive. Apart from some modest tweaks, the first generation Titan maintained its design, platform, and powertrain for over a decade—earning more of the market’s favor each year.

The 3.5-liter V6 Titan that goes on sale this model year will match up nicely with its predecessor in terms of power and towing, but the XD ratchets Nissan's fullsize pickup up to the next level in pricing, footprint, and performance.

Nissan decided to make a statement with the exterior of its new 2017 Titan. Though it maintains the general shape of its forbearer, the new Titan is larger by every dimension and more eye-catching. Various trim levels feature more or less dazzle, but my Pro-4X tester takes the rugged route.

The pickup features a black mesh grille, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch dark alloy wheels wrapped in General Grabber 275-section tires, a platinum-painted chin panel and gray body molding that runs nose to tail and nicely contrasts a Cayenne Red exterior. Adding to the truck’s visual dominance is the Pro-4X’s increased ride height. Lesser trucks simply cower next to the XD.

Cavernous. That word immediately comes to mind as you settle into the Titan’s cabin. This is of course presumed with such a large truck, but Nissan’s intelligent use of space helps the interior feel that much more sprawling.

The steering column-mounted shifter salvages real estate between the center stack and console, allowing you to stash a pair of drinks or loose items there. Then there’s the center console cubby, which has room for a Home Depot bucket-worth of whatever you need to tote. Under each rear seat is also a lockable storage bin. Most importantly, each door cubby contains two drink holder sections, which brings the beverage container capacity to a whopping 12. These are essential selling points, people.

As equipped, the 2017 Nissan Titan XD Pro-4X includes heated, cooled, and powered leather seats for front passengers, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 60/40 split folding and flip-up rear bench, auto-dimming rearview and outside mirrors, remote engine start, 12-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound sytem, and a 7-inch color infotainment system with NissanConnect apps. Though the XD’s cabin isn’t quite as luxurious as the range-topping Platinum Reserve trim, it’s still loaded with convenience goodies to help make your commute more tolerable.

The 2017 Nissan Titan XD is available with either a 5.0-liter Cummins turbodiesel V8 or, as my tester is fashioned, a 5.6-liter gas-powered V8. Though the gas engine’s displacement mirrors its predecessor, power is a totally different story. Output is up from 317 to a very potent 390 horses. Torque gets less of a hike, to 394 lb.-ft. (compared to 385 lb.-ft.). The petrol powertrain is accompanied by a 7-speed automatic transmission. Peak torque is available around 4000 rpm, but the truck gets moving in a hurry—wherever you are in the powerband—the moment you mash the throttle.

EPA fuel economy is respectable, at 15 MPG city, 20 MPG highway, 17 MPG combined. These figures rival most half-ton models, and are significantly better than three-quarter-ton pickups.

The Pro-4X comes standard with shift-on-the-fly 4WD, while other variants ship with rear-wheel drive unless specified otherwise. If the exterior modifications don’t give it away, this is Nissan’s trail-ready Titan. Included are Bilstein Monotube shocks, an electronic locking rear differential, hill-start assist, hill descent control, a two-speed transfer case, Utilit-Track with four tie-down cleats, tailgate illumination, a 120V in-bed outlet, LED bed lighting, trailer brake control, extendable, lighted mirrors, a bed step, front tow hooks, and skid plates for the oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case, and lower radiator. If I missed anything, forgive my attention span.

Though the Cummins-powered Titan XD Pro-4X can tow more than its gas-chugging sibling, the differential isn’t as significant as you might assume. Nissan’s 5.6-liter Titan can tow up to 10,860 lb. (about 1000 lb. less than the diesel) and haul 2594 lb. in its bed (about 500 lb. more than the diesel version). Opting for rear-wheel-drive versions (non-Pro-4X models) with either engine increases towing capacity a few hundred pounds.

A modern pickup needs a full array of modern safety technologies. In addition to standard features like airbags (driver and front passenger, side impact, and curtain), anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control, the 2017 Titan is available with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a backup camera. Though I’d love to see adaptive cruise on the options list, such systems have yet to become common in this segment.

Highs:
The 2017 Nissan Titan XD Pro-4X 5.6L V8 excels in two basic functions: accelerating and braking. They may not be innovative qualities, but confidence in how your truck gets up to speed and scrubs it can make a huge difference whether you’re running errands or towing.

Lows:
On the “needs improvement” end of the scale, sluggish steering response and considerable body lean do not match the Titan’s potent engine and strong brakes. It’s also worth mentioning that Nissan’s infotainment system looks small in such a large cabin, and doesn’t redeem itself in terms of input response or display crispness.

Despite the Titan XD’s performance positioning above most half-tons, its price is on par with 1500 pickups. Titan XD gas-powered models start at $36,290 (S 4x2) and peak at $53,830 (Platinum Reserve 4x4). The Pro-4X 4x4 kicks things off at $45,020 and is only available with three packages.

The Utility and Audio package ($1400) includes the Rockford Fosgate 12-speaker audio system (which is remarkably good), Utili-track channel and tie-down kit, tailgate illumination, power rear window, parking sensors, and a 120V in-bed outlet.

For heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, NissanConnect apps, auto-dimming rearview and driver’s side mirrors, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, the Pro-4X Convenience Package will set you back $3520.

Finally, heated and cooled front seats, a 360-degree camera system, auto-dimming mirrors (all), and Titan storage bins are bundled in the Pro-4X Luxury package ($1510).  

Adding to the complication of the Titan XD’s market positioning is the Pro-4X’s off-road equipment. Less aggressive than the Baja-ready Ford F-150 Raptor, the Pro-4X is closer in competition to the RAM Rebel V8 ($44,995), RAM Powerwagon ($50,715), Toyota Tundra TRD Pro ($43,395), and Chevrolet Silverado Z71 ($49,135). Each of these vehicles packs a strong V8 engine, trail-ready hardware, and sufficient ground clearance.

The 2017 Nissan Titan XD Pro-4X’s unique value proposition could lure buyers from both the half-ton and three-quarter-ton segments for several reasons: powerful, fuel-efficient engines, ample standard equipment (and affordably packaged add-ons), 1500-tier pricing, and a handsome new exterior.

Nissan has clearly done its homework on the competition, and while the Titan XD doesn’t blow its rivals out of the water, it’s an offer most fullsize truck buyers should consider before heading to their local Ford, Chevy, or RAM dealer.