7 Things You’ll Love About the 2016 Nissan Titan

Rating

The Titan is a well-made, versatile and attractive truck, but on the pricey side.

Type

Four-door pickup truck

Engine

5.6-litre V8

Power

390 hp

Drivetrain

4 WD

Transmission

7-speed automatic

Competition

Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, GMC Sierra 1500

Best For

Weekend warriors who want an upscale ride, room for passengers and towing/hauling capability.

We drove the 2016 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve, a top-end model priced at $67,900, including optional two-tone paint. The engine is more powerful than the previous model and the 5.6-litre gas-powered V8 puts out an impressive 390 horsepower with 401 lb-ft of torque. (A Cummins diesel version is also available.) The seven-speed automatic transmission is standard.

There are so many things to like about this truck. Here are the highlights:

1. The Drive Quality

This truck is smooth. On the highway it’s extremely quiet, well mannered and very reasonable on fuel consumption. With its downshift rev matching that “blips” the throttle to equalize revs and smooth out shifts, the transmission may make you feel like you’re driving a sports car.

2. Its Luxurious Features

There's no mistaking that this is a high-end pick-up. From the gorgeous two-tone “Deep blue pearl” paint job, to the rich wood accents in the cab, to the heated and cooled power seats and 12-speaker audio, this truck is a delight for the senses. Although it's a big truck, you'd feel at ease driving it to a fancy event in a tux or heels.

3. The Technology

The Titan is well equipped with the latest in connectivity. A seven-inch touchscreen is easy to use, and the NissanConnect infotainment system offers hands-free texting that actually works. 

4. It’s Versatile

This truck can tow, haul and accommodate the family. Inside the crew cab the rear seats fold completely out of the way and a panel folds down to create a completely flat floor, with storage beneath. The cavernous weatherproof space really comes in handy if you’re bringing home a big screen TV, for example. 

5. The Safety Features

In addition to a full suite of safety features, including blind spot warning and integrated trailer brake control, the Titan's camera system projects a crystal-clear bird's eye view of your surroundings on the infotainment screen and alerts you of movement in your zone.

6. It Gets the Job Done

The Titan's truck bed is equipped with locking accessory boxes to keep tools safe. The bed also has LED lighting, making nighttime loading and unloading much easier. The 110-power outlet (there's one in the cab as well) is great for work or camping.

7. It's a Winner

The new Titan has won multiple awards since its introduction late last year, including the JD Power APEAL award in the Large Light Duty pickup segment. It was named best pickup of the year by MotorWeek, Cars.com, AutoGuide, and received the Texas Auto Writers Association's "truck of Texas" award. The people who vote for these awards know their trucks and have driven all the competition. Their opinion counts.