2019 Nissan Titan Road Test and Review

2018 Nissan TITAN XD front ・ Photo by Nissan

Now in its second generation, the 2019 Nissan Titan is the most powerful, most technically advanced, and most capable pickup truck Nissan has ever created. It packs the power, comfort, and capability full-size truck buyers demand.

Americans continue to buy up big pickups at record rates, and Nissan Titans can be found working hard and playing hard on job sites, campgrounds, and surf spots all over America. Although its sales lag behind its rivals, the full-size pickup has its loyalists and Nissan continues to improve the Titan. The automaker completely redesigned the truck in 2016 and has added features over the last few years. This year, every Titan gets an updated infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Built exclusively in Canton, Mississippi, the Titan competes with the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, and of course the Ford F-Series, which is America’s best selling truck.

Standard V8 Power

Nissan offers the 2019 Titan half-ton pickup in three body styles: Single Cab, King Cab, and the popular Crew Cab with four forward-opening doors, a large backseat, and a 5.5-foot bed. Single Cabs have an 8-foot bed and King Cabs have a 6.5-foot bed.

Each body style is available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, which costs an extra $3,200. The Single Cab and King Cab are the least expensive and offered in S or SV trim levels. Pricing starts at $32,085, including a $1,395 destination charge, for a two-wheel drive Titan Single Cab S. Crew Cab models start right around $38,000, and there are six trim levels to choose from. The top-of-the-line Titan Platinum Reserve 4x4 we tested had a base price of $58,785. Although the Nissan’s base prices are higher than others in the segment, its pricing is competitive overall when you consider every Titan comes standard with a big 5.6-liter V8 engine. With 390 horsepower, it’s the most powerful standard engine in the class.

Photo by Nissan

Titan XD Offers a Cummins Diesel

For buyers looking for more towing and payload capability, there’s the 2019 Nissan Titan XD, which is also offered in Single Cab, King Cab, and Crew Cab body styles. It uses a stronger heavy-duty frame compared to the half-ton Titan, along with beefier differentials and a 151.6-inch wheelbase, which is about 20 inches longer than the wheelbase of other Titan models.

These and other changes increase the truck's towing and payload capacities. With the standard 390-hp 5.6-liter V8 it can pull 11,680 lbs. And with the available Cummins 5.0-liter V8 turbodiesel, it has a maximum towing capacity of 12,710 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,990 pounds, depending on the body style. These numbers beat most half tons on the market, though they're way behind the capability of the true heavy-duty trucks from Chevy, Ram, GMC, and Ford. For off-road enthusiasts, Nissan offers the PRO-4X model, which comes with all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, skid plate, and hill descent control. Titan XD prices start around $34,000 with the gas engine and about $40,000 with the diesel.

Photo by Nissan

Plenty of Power

Power isn’t a problem for the 2019 Nissan Titan. Although its 5.6-liter V8 has been around since 2003, it remains one of our favorite engines in this class. The big V8 is smooth and revs cleanly to its 6,000-rpm redline. Although its horsepower doesn’t peak until 5800 rpm and its 394 lb-ft of torque doesn’t hit until 4,000 rpm, there plenty of power off the line. Acceleration from 0-60 mph only takes about 6 seconds. It’s fun to put your foot down and listen to that big rumbly V8.

The truck’s seven-speed automatic transmission is a good match for the V8. Its tight gear spacing keeps the engine in its power band, and it’s quick with a downshift on the highway when you need a burst of power to pass. The transmission also offers a Tow/Haul mode, and it can be shifted manually with well-placed buttons on its column-mounted shifter. Four-wheel drive high and low are selected with a large knob on the truck’s dash, and engagement is smooth. Nissan says our 4x4 Crew Cab test vehicle can tow 9,240 lbs.

Photo by Nissan

Smooth Ride

Although our test truck weighed nearly 6,000 lbs, it rode smoothly and felt light and agile. Its steering is very responsive, and the Titan’s independent front suspension soaks up rough road admirably despite our test truck’s 20-inch wheels and tires. Body control is impressive, and the big Titan is a very comfortable truck, especially out on the highway, even when its bed is empty. Although it doesn’t ride as well as a RAM 1500, which uses a unique coil spring rear suspension, the Titan doesn’t beat you up or feel overly trucky. Body roll is kept in check around hard corners, and the Nissan keeps a substantial hold on the road, even in two-wheel drive.

Buyers will also be impressed with the Nissan’s overall refinement. The interior is quiet at speeds above 80 mph, and the V8’s exhaust doesn’t drone on the highway. After a 300-mile day in our test truck, we emerged feeling fresh and impressed with its ability to cover distance with luxury car comfort.

Photo by Nissan

Typical Big Pickup Fuel Economy

During our 300-mile road trip, the 2019 Nissan Titan averaged 18 mpg. That’s about what we expected, as the truck is rated 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. These numbers are strong for the class considering the Titan’s V8 and 390 hp. With its less powerful 355-hp 5.3-liter V8, the newly redesigned 2019 Chevrolet Silverado is rated at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. And the RAM 1500 4x4 with the 395-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is rated at 15 mpg city and 21 mpg on the highway.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Nissan’s seven-speed automatic transmission holds it back a bit. Most other trucks in the class now feature transmissions with eight to 10 speeds. The good news is that Nissan’s V8 runs on 87-octane regular-grade fuel to keep costs down.

Photo by Nissan

Comfortable, Well-Built Interior

Our loaded test truck featured heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate controls, and premium leather. Some may find the seat a bit firm and flat, but they were extremely comfortable during our 300-mile road trip, and the driver’s seat is height-adjustable. There’s also a tilting and telescopic steering wheel, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right driving position.

Overall the Titan’s cabin is well assembled, properly ergonomic and attractive. However, much like the truck’s exterior, it doesn’t really take any risks or break new ground in the full-size truck class. Its gauges are clear and simple, and there’s a center-mounted screen for additional information. The dash’s knobs are large, as are the cupholders, and the center console bin is massive. There are also large door bins with provisions for water bottles, and the rear seat folds up easily for additional cargo space.

Photo by Nissan

Improved Infotainment

This year, the Titan gets an improved infotainment system, and it's standard on all models. It now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and our test truck was equipped with a new available Fender premium sound system, which sounded fantastic. Although the truck’s touchscreen is well placed and the system is very easy to use, larger screens have become more common in this class, and the Nissan’s 7-inch screen feels a bit dated.

Other technology appreciated in our test truck included its 360-degree monitor, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the truck for low-speed maneuvers. Add in the available front and rear parking sensors, and it’s easier to slip this big truck into a tight space than you would ever imagine. Our truck was also equipped with a blind-spot monitoring system with a rear cross-traffic alert, but other driver aids like automatic emergency braking and radar cruise control are not offered.

Photo by Nissan

Cool Bed Features

Our test truck also came with a spray-in bed liner and was equipped with the $750 Platinum Utility Package, which offers plenty of value. It adds tailgate lock, which is controlled with the truck’s keyfob, a retractable utility step for the bed, and lockable bed-mounted cargo boxes for tools and grungy gear you don’t want inside your leather-trimmed interior. The boxes offer impressive functionality, though they take up quite a bit of bed space.

Unlike Ford, GMC, and Ram, Nissan has yet to jump into the configurable tailgate game. The design of Titan’s tailgate remains conventional. It’s one piece and features two positions, up or down. For towing, our Titan was equipped with a Class IV receiver hitch and a four-pin/seven-pin wiring harness connector and an integrated trailer brake controller.

Photo by Nissan

Final Thoughts

Full-size truck buyers are extremely brand-loyal, and Ford, GM, and Ram continue to invest heavily in this class. Chevy, GMC, and Ram just introduced all-new versions of their pickups, and Ford continues to throw technology at the F Series. Although the Nissan Titan offers the most standard horsepower and the best warranty in the segment, its sales have struggled to keep up.

This is unfortunate, as the Titan offers impressive capability, a high degree of comfort, and unique features. And with so many body styles and trim levels to choose from, there’s bound to be a Titan that fits your wants and needs, from a bare-bones work truck to a luxurious off-road overlander. If you’re in the market for a powerful V8 full-size pickup, the 2019 Nissan Titan is a solid choice.

Photo by Nissan