In the world of pickup trucks, too much just doesn’t seem to be enough; they keep getting bigger, stronger, more powerful and more luxurious. there seems to be no limit on growth.
Yet for some owners, too much is sometimes, well, too much, and that’s what Nissan is banking on with the introduction of the Titan XD.
Nissan market research in Canada has found that 7,000 owners of half-ton pickups feel they need a slightly bigger truck for towing, while 7,000 owners of 3/4-ton trucks think they’ve got too much truck for their load; that’s a niche the Japanese car maker is targeting with this all-new pickup, which falls right in between the two main categories when it comes to payload, towing capacities and price.
And Nissan is serious about making this a useful hauler; being the first complete redesign of the Titan since its inception in 2005, the XD will be the first of the lineup to appear in January as a Cummins diesel-powered crew cab (a 5.6-litre gasoline V-8 will be available later). But the XD’s frame is a fully boxed unit and shares not a bolt with that of its also-new sibling, the Titan 1/2-ton pickup, which will appear later next year.
Sure, some other 1/2-tons boast the same 4,831-kilogram tow rating as the XD, but they lack the weight, power and heavy duty brakes the XD has to handle the load. The XD’s 555 lb-ft of torque makes pulling a heavier trailer almost effortless, as demonstrated at its launch on the hilly desert roads of Arizona.
But pulling power is only part of the story. The XD sports an integrated gooseneck ball hitch in the bed that can be removed; options include a rearview camera with a trailer guide system that has an audible warning when it’s lined up with the trailer ball, as well as a Trailer Light Check system operated by the key fob – both allowing just one person to hook up the trailer. Of course, trailer brake control and trailer sway control are also available, as is a downhill speed control.
So what this all means is that you can have a truck that can safely handle your medium-sized trailer while having a more comfortable ride and much better fuel economy than those of a gargantuan 3/4-ton. And the thousands of dollars you save on not buying that bigger truck can be put to horse feed, campground fees or fuel for your dozer.
You’ll like this car if ... Towing is your thing, but excess is not.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $52,400
- Engine: 5.0-litre turbodiesel V-8
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Fuel economy (litres/100km): 13.0 highway (estimated)
- Alternatives: Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra
RATINGS
- Looks: It’s big, bold, brash and macho but it doesn’t exactly break any styling rules when it comes to trucks: big grille, slab sides and available chrome bling for every surface. The two-tone look is a nice touch, and overall it’s a much more premium-looking truck than the one it replaces.
- Interior: On the higher models (the highest, Platinum Reserve, starts at $73,900) the natural wood trim luxes up the cabin. Leather seats have an upscale pleated look, and chrome and aluminum-look plastic brighten the space. Quality-feel switchgear is large enough to be used with gloves on.
- Performance: The Cummins turbodiesel has a small turbo for acceleration, while a larger turbo carries the higher-rpm work; though it has just 310 horsepower, that torque is what makes this engine perfect for towing; it’s also fairly quiet. The ride is also more forgiving than heavier 3/4-ton models, and it feels like a smaller 1/2-ton even on rougher terrain. And though no official fuel economy figures are available, this XD averaged 13 litres/100kms in mostly highway driving.
- Technology: Apart from the novel and useful trailer aids, the XD also has Nissan’s Around View four-camera system and a Rockford-Fosgate stereo system. As well, an available electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein shocks are available on some models. In the bed, LED lighting and a unique rail tie-down system are also available.
- Cargo: The XD’s payload is 907 kg when properly equipped. Inside, there are so many big boxes, open trays and little nooks in the cabin that it’s possible to forget where you put something. The rear seats fold up to reveal yet another sizeable – and lockable – storage compartment; with those seats up, shelves fold down to form a flat floor for more cargo. Optional bed boxes can be removed when not needed.
The Verdict
8.5
If you have a trailer of 4,500 kg or slightly more, this could be a wise investment – not just in saving money, but in safety for towing. When compared with a 3/4-ton brute, perhaps this is a case of less is more.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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