It is not a coincidence that the Nissan Titan is the last new half-ton truck you can buy that comes standard with a V8 — and that 2024 will be the last year you'll be able to buy this truck.
And the reason why has everything to do with this truck's standard V8.
What It Is
The Titan is Nissan's full-size truck, similar to others in the class such as the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra. It is different than all of them in that unlike any of them, it comes standard with a V8 — and doesn't offer anything less.
Like other half-tons, the Titan is available in King or Crew cab configurations. An interesting difference is that Nissan asks less for the Crew cab version of its truck, which stickers for $45,790 to start. The King cab version, which has smaller rear doors and less room in back, stickers for $49,140 to start, but it does come standard with four-wheel drive.
Two other trims are also available — but only with the Crew cab configuration. The first is the PRO 4X, which comes standard with 4WD, off-road suspension upgrades, skid plates, tow hooks and all-terrain tires.
It lists for $53,500 to start.
A top-of-the-line Platinum is the most luxury-focused version of Nissan's full-size pickup. Upgrades include two-tone paint, chrome running boards, puddle lamps, heated leather seats (and steering wheel), a 12-speaker premium audio system and 20-inch chrome-plated wheels.
This trim is available with either 2WD ($59,440) or 4WD ($62,750).
What's New for 2024
A Bronze Edition is available (SV trims only). It includes special exterior/interior trim, LED headlights and a 20-inch wheel/tire package.
What's Good
Standard V8.
Solid axle/leaf spring rear suspension is simple and durable.
Top-of-the-line Platinum costs tens of thousands less than top-of-the-line rivals.
What's Not So Good
No lower-cost Work truck trim.
No 8-foot bed option.
Only one King cab version — and it costs more than Crew cab versions.
Under The Hood
The Titan's standard 5.6-liter V8 makes 400 horsepower, and every Titan can pull at least 9,240 pounds.
Equipped with their optional V8s, rivals such as the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado 1500 pull away from the Titan, with much higher maximum tow capacities: 13,000 pounds for the Ford and 13,300 pounds for the Chevy. And these half-ton trucks are available with 8-foot beds (and with regular cabs).
A nine-speed automatic is the Titan's standard transmission. It has three overdrive gears — seventh, eighth and ninth — and ninth is an astoundingly deep 0.597 (.67 or so being more typical). This deep overdrive gearing enables the V8 Titan to return 21 mpg on the highway (15 mpg in the city, lower because you're not likely to get into ninth in city-speed driving) even with a 3.62 axle ratio.
Like the others in its class, the Titan is available in 2WD or 4WD configurations — assuming you want the Crew cab. Unlike the others in its class, the King cab is not available without 4WD, which is why the King cab version of this truck costs more to start than the Crew cab version.
On The Road
The Titan drives more like a truck than most of its rivals — and not just because it has a V8 under the hood. It has a solid axle (and leaf springs) out back. Most half-tons now come standard with some form of independently sprung rear suspension.
This has its good and its bad points.
The good: On rough, unpaved roads, a truck with an independent rear suspension is less jarred by potholes ,washboards and such. And off-road, an independent rear suspension allows for more rear wheel articulation.
The bad: An independent suspension is more complicated (more parts) and (generally) less durable because it has more parts and so more parts that could break and more parts that will eventually wear out. A pair of steel leaf springs and a cast-iron rear axle are very hard to hurt and will usually last at least as long as the truck, if not longer.
Change out the rear shocks every five to six years or so and that's pretty much it.
And if you don't drive off-road (or on really bad roads), you will probably not notice much if any difference in the ride.
But you will notice the very pleasant sound of the Titan's 5.6-liter V8 firing up. It's an authentic rather than augmented sound, too. And, like what's out back, the V8 is simpler and so likely to be more long-term durable than the turbocharged V6 engines that are becoming the default engines (and in some cases, the only engines) in other half-ton trucks.
At The Curb
This truck comes only two ways — King cab and Crew cab — and both are the same overall length (228.2 inches) and ride on the same 139.8-inch wheelbase, with the difference made up by shortening or lengthening the bed in relation to the cab. King cab models come standard with a 6.5-foot bed; Crew cab models come standard with a 5.5-foot bed. You cannot mix/match these combos; it's either one or the other.
There's also no 8-foot bed option.
This lack of options is part of the reason why the Titan's being retired after the end of the 2024 model year. Many truck buyers (especially buyers who need a truck for work) need an 8-foot bed. Many want a regular (or just an extended) cab, without the extra pair of doors. By not offering these configurations, Nissan disadvantaged the Titan relative to its Big Three rivals.
The other winnowing here is that as of this model year, the King cab is only available in one (SV) trim, which means you can't get certain options (such as the Pro-4X package) unless you buy a Crew cab first.
The Rest
Every Titan comes standard with a locking (and damped) tailgate, and you can still get a three-across bench seat — but only in Crew cabs.
The Bottom Line
This is one of your last chances to buy a V8-powered half-ton truck that isn't a used truck.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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