Nissan Titan 2008 Review - Test Drive & Pricing

Nissan Titan 2008 Review - Test Drive & Pricing
by Brian Lebow

The Good: Nissan's half ton grows even larger with a new long-wheelbase version and exterior styling has been updated a bit!

The Bad: Lacking powertrain options (like a V-6) or a single cab option

Overall: Though it's not as versatile as the Tundra, Silverado or F-150, the Titan has a lot going for it, including a spacious interior cab, also now available, a full 8.2-ft bed and great technology. But can it bite into the American Truck Segment that's predominantly occupied by legends like the F series truck from Ford? Nissan hopes so...

We're on the Road in the 2008 Nissan Titan

Trucks are part of our culture here in America. In certain parts of the country it's required to have a truck with a gun rack or optionally a large dog in the back, some parts of the country you can't have one without the other. In late 2003 (2004 Model Year) Nissan debuted in the segment with challenging the domestics in this typical American market segment. What's more American than good old fashioned competition?

Since 2004, the Titan has been updated, the 2008 model got even larger. The Titan's exterior was updated this year and a new PRO-4X trim level is available. Nissan's Titan is offered in four models: XE, SE, PRO-4X and LE; two cab styles - King Cab and Crew Cab; four bed lengths - 5'6" and 7' for Crew Cab, 6'6" and 8' for King Cab; 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations; and continued from last year, Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability (E85 Ethanol) as a no-cost option. That's a lot of variations, but still no regular cab or V-6 engine option is available. The newest colors available in 08 are Desert Stone and Timberline.

Powertrain/Transmission: The heart of any work truck of course is the powertrain and though the Titan offers only one option, it shoots above the average. The Powertrain consists of a 5.6-liter V-8 good for (an improved) 317-horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, with available tow/haul mode and shift on the fly 4-WD system. The five-speed automatic shifts are somewhat slow, but it's got enogh hp to compensate and the slow shifts rarely detract from the passing ability or driving experience. The 30 year segment leader F-Series trucks from Ford, have many more powertrain options, starting with the 4.2-liter V6. The Titan's shifts are sluggish, but there's power to compensate. If you regularly have heavy loads the slow shifting might be more of a consideration. For everyday 'light duty' driving, it's not an issue.

Given gas prices what they are, you can't overlook the large segment of consumers (those that don't need a work truck) turning away from larger engines. For the construction worker or those that need a serious work truck, we don't have a problem recommending the Titan. With the optional tow package, the Titan can pull up to 9,500 pounds (the Crew Cab maxes out at 9,400-lbs.) Rear and four-wheel drive models are available.

Exterior: This year the Titan got a couple of upgrades, like the extra cargo box length for the long wheelbase models. Other updates include: the new grille and headlights. The standard wheelbase bed options are: 5.5-foot cargo box (Crew Cab) or a 6.5-foot bed (King Cab), and the long wheelbase models can have the 7 or 8.2-foot bed, respectively.

The trucks lines are hard and fresh, making for a nice looking, modern truck. The Pro-4X trim level gets the Rancho shocks, more skid plates, all-terrain tires, a locking rear-differential, and Pro-4X logos. There's also Titan's available spray-on bedliner which helps prevent scratch damage and corrosion to the bed and inner tailgate surface. Thinner than drop-in bedliners or typical aftermarket spray-on applications, the Titan bedliner also maximizes bed volume. It is the first offered by any original equipment manufacturer and is covered by the Nissan warranty.

Jump Inside the Nissan Titan and find seating for five or six (depending on whether you opt for the captians chairs or bench up front). There's really a great deal to enjoy inside the Titan, you can add the Mobile Theater System for about $1450, which will quell the kids on long rides and there's the Nissan Nav System which is pretty useful on out of town trips, it'll run about $1,800. and you'll probably want to add the VDC package which also adds supplemental airbags. There's some really nice touches inside the Titan.

Safety: The Titan earned the highest possible result, "Good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for front impact, while side impact tests have not been conducted.

Reliability Issues: Consumer Reports the Titans two wheel-drive model predicted reliability is 'worse than average', while the four wheel drive Titan was rated "Much Worse Than Average." We certainly did not experience any problems during our test drive, the vehicle was over 13,000 miles and no problems were discovered as we put the truck through it's paces.

While most trucks in the segment still offer a lap belt for the front center position (when you get the bench up front), Nissan's Titan steps up to a three point belt in this position. All-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and active front head restraints are standard. Optional equipment includes: side-impact airbags for front seats, side curtain airbags and the power-adjustable pedals.

The Way you feel Inside: This updated Titan has some nice modern amenities, things you wouldn't find in your old pick-up, like available Bluetooth connectivity, moonroof, satellite radio, heated power seats, and rear seat dvd entertainment system. The Titan has an innovative bedside storage compartment located behind the rear driver's side wheel. The bedside storage bin is designed to hold common truck items such as work gloves, rope, road flares, first aid kit or a hitch ball. It's about the size of a kids lunchbox inside. The compartment is double-sealed to help prevent the intrusion of water and dust (though the compartment is not designed to be waterproof in case of submersion) and uses the ignition key for un/locking - see photo. Also helpful is the rear sonar system that helps you back up and the extending tow mirrors with dual mirrors.

Though the Titan does have a great deal to offer, it's what's missing that stands out. The lack of a V-6 option plus you can't get it in a regular cab could be stumbling blocks for some consumers that don't need the power of a V-8 and the additional passenger space. If you do need the power and space, the reliability issues noted from Consumer Reports might be enough to make you think twice. We certainly had no issues with our nine month old test truck (a 4x4 LE), which had over 14,000 miles and performed very well.

By the numbers

The Nissan TITAN (V-8) is rated at 12 mpg city/17 highway on dual fuel, Ethanol (E85) which can be 20 -30% less expensive than gas, which you can also use to fill the largest in class 37 gallon tank.

The 2008 Nissan TITAN - MSRP Price

The 2008 Nissan Titan King Cab and Titan Crew Cab are offered in four models - XE, SE and LE, each with a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations - and PRO-4X (4WD only). Each offered with list of standard equipment including a powerful 5.6-liter Endurance V8, 5-speed automatic transmission with Tow/Haul mode, power rack-and-pinion steering and 18-inch wheels and tires.

Titan XE models are equipped with a standard 40/20/40 split front bench seat with a center seat fold-down armrest storage bin, split fold-up rear seat and three-point seat belts for five positions. XE and SE 2WD models are available with a Traction Package (standard on LE) that includes 2-wheel limited slip (ABLS) and front tow hooks. The new PRO-4X grade adds 18 x 8J alloy wheels with off-road-style center cap, largest-in-class* P275/70R18 off-road tires, body-color front and rear bumpers and grille, a lockable bedside storage box, unique interior features including unique meters and gauges, splash guards, the off-road equipment detailed above and auto on/off headlamps.

Titan SE models include standard 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and P265/70R18 tires and chrome steel center bumper, while LE models add 6-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, standard high-utility bed, leather-appointed seating, Rockford Fosgate?-powered audio system with eight speakers, dual-zone auto-climate control system and power folding mirrors with heat, power adjust, auto dim, and integrated turn signal.

Optional SE equipment packages include a Popular Package (equipped with split bench seat or bucket seats) including upgraded audio system with steering wheel audio controls, rearview mirror, temperature and UGDO, proximity sensors and adjustable pedals; and Popular Rockford Fosgate Package, which includes Popular Package contents plus premium sound Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system and, new for 2008, Bluetooth? hands-free phone system and XM? satellite radio tuner.

Other available equipment and packages include sunroof, Navigation Package with DVD-based navigation system and Utility Bed Package with C-channel tie down system, bedside storage, rear bed lighting and power point and spray-on bedliner. The Titan's Tow Package includes receiver hitch, lower final gear ratio, additional 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake prewiring, transmission temperature gauge, extending mirrors and heavy-duty battery

The 2 wheel drive King Cab XE starts at $24,390 and standard features include a six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control and air. The rear wheel drive SE starts at $26,650 and adds upgrades like remote keyless entry, allow wheels and power windows, door locks and mirrors. The Pro-4X models have off-road upgrades and start at $31,980. The LE gets 20 inch wheels, heated power seats, leather upholstery and more. Depending on configuration (2 or 4-Wheel Drive / Bed Length) you can spend up to $46,000 on a Titan when you add nav, rear seat entertainment, rear parking sensors, and other options.

Our test vehicle - the 4x4 LE - 7'3" bed - with Nav, rear seat entertainment the Tow Package, Side-Air Bag Package with VDC, Moonroof, Step Rails and Sliding Bed Extender had an MSRP of $44,900.

+ Ford Focus 2008 - Test Drive & Pricing