Summary
In the world of pickups, there are two Titans. While the regular half-ton Titan, which we reviewed separately, holds its own place in the full-size segment, the heavy-duty Titan XD increases payload and towing capacity. The 400-hp V-8 powertrain in this big application lacks the overall power of big rigs like the available 1075 pound-feet Ram 3500 of torque, or the incredible cab range and powertrain of the Ford Super Duty. While Nissan’s idea behind the Titan XD was to combine the convenience of a full-size pickup with heavy-duty muscle, it was quickly eclipsed by more dedicated commercial-grade trucks. Ordering the Titan XD was a breeze, as four-wheel drive, crew cab and 6.6ft bed were all standard. The Titan XD’s most eye-catching is the Pro-4X trim level, which flirts with a more off-road stance and incorporates skid plates, custom badges, and fine-tuned heavy-duty front and rear Bilstein shocks.
What’s New in 2023?
Nissan hasn’t made any major changes to its Titan XD heavy-duty pickup for 2023. The Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve models now come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay.
Price and Where to Buy
Considering the Titan XD’s status as an intermediate, we recommend sticking with the lower-end SV trim. This will maximize payload and towing capacity to help give the Titan XD a chance to fight against HD competitors for the same price. Fortunately, four-wheel drive is standard, and all Titan XD models come with driver assistance features and stylish 20-inch wheels.
Engine, Transmission and Performance
The standard gasoline-powered 5.6-liter V-8 is quiet and smooth. It produces 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque and is accompanied by a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Nissan’s Tweener Drive is like a more civilized heavy-duty pickup without better handling or being able to haul as much. The Titan XD has a ride befitting a large pickup with a heavy-duty frame, although light-duty pickups perform much better. The XD also handles like a heavy-duty pickup, with lazy, uncommunicative steering, and an indistinct response to directional commands. Therefore, it is difficult to drive on the highway. The results for the XD we tested placed it in the middle of the class. The soft, faint feel of the brake pedal is unconvincing.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Whereas the Ford Super Duty can tow up to 37,000 pounds with a gooseneck hitch, the Titan XD can only handle 11,040 pounds with the same type of setup. Nissan’s amount dropped to 10,880 pounds when towing a conventional trailer. Both maximum tow ratings are also lower than half ton trucks like Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, each of which can attract up to 12,000 pounds. They also match the XD’s maximum payload rating of 2,240 pounds.
Real World Fuel Economy and MPG
The Titan XD qualifies as a heavy-duty vehicle under EPA rules, so its fuel economy is not assessed by the federal agency.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
The practical yet unattractive dashboard design doesn’t make the Titan XD stand out in this segment. It skin promise on our Pro-4X a test truck adorns the interior, while the topmost Platinum Reserve model features more luxurious two-tone leather and open-porous wood trim. Nissan’s excellent Zero Gravity front and rear seats steal the show with the perfect balance of support and comfort, especially on long journeys. The Titan XD, offered only in a crew cab configuration, can accommodate the most luggage size behind the front seat in its class, and its low lift height helps when loading cargo into the bed. However, the cargo box is among the smallest in this set, and the interior storage space for smaller items is less useful than the competition’s.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Value-oriented Base S and SV models come with 8.0-inch touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Pro-4X, SL, and Platinum Reserve trims get a new 9.0-inch screen and Wi-Fi hotspot. Each Titan XD sports a 7.0-inch gauge cluster display with displays for diagnostics and fuel economy plus an off-road accelerometer. It also has a neat Trailer Light Check feature for one-handed monitoring of trailer lighting connections.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
The Titan XD comes standard with the series driver assistance feature to help manage its giant measurements. For more information on Titan crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key security features include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic warning
- Standard line departure warning
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Nissan’s warranty coverage for the Titan XD is one of the best; however, the shorter roadside assistance period and the lack of free scheduled maintenance detract from our praise.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles
- No free scheduled maintenance
More Features and Specifications
