2022 Nissan Titan XD

The Nissan Titan XD has always been marketed as Nissan's answer to the other heavy-duty trucks on the market, namely the eminently capable Ford F-250, Ram 2500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD. However, a simple look at sales over the past few years shows that US shoppers aren't convinced. The Titan XD certainly looks the part, with a ruggedly handsome appearance and an imposing curb presence, and it used to have the output figures, too. However, with the capable diesel engine dropped from the lineup recently, the Titan relies on a sole gas V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the aforementioned heavyweight contenders, this does not quite cut the mustard. As such, the Titan XD can't haul or tow nearly enough to be considered a worthy heavy-duty pickup. It does handle quite well, however, and it delivers a smooth ride. But, is this what buyers in this segment really care about? If you're going to be shelling out over $46,000, you want a truck that is going to earn its keep.

The chunky Nissan Titan XD certainly has a lot of curb appeal and it looks great in photos, with big wheel arches housing wheels ranging in size from 17 to 20 inches. To really match the ruggedness of the XD's exterior, you'll want one of the larger wheel choices. The grille was redesigned for 2020 and is aggressively bold, framed by stylish standard halogen headlights. Fog lights, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights are available on the upper trims. The new Titan XD no longer offers a variety of cab and bed options, so you'll need to be happy with the larger Crew Cab and standard 6.5-foot cargo bed.

Few vehicles are bigger than a full-size pickup truck, as evidenced by the Titan XD's dimensions. Its length varies between 243.4 and 244.4 inches, depending on the trim, although the wheelbase remains 151.6 inches across the range. The width can vary slightly between 79.5 and 80.7 inches, while the truck stands between 78 and 78.9 inches tall. Similarly, ground clearance ranges between 8.7 and 9.5 inches. Depending on the trim, angles of approach and departure can be anywhere between 15.9/21.1 degrees and 23.5/24.5 degrees, respectively. The lightest Titan XD model weighs in at 6,365 pounds, while the heaviest tips the scales at 6,753 lbs.

The only engine available under the hood of the Titan XD is still a 5.6-liter DOHC V8 gasoline engine. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine directs 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. Both the previously available diesel engine and rear-wheel drivetrain are no longer offered. While the Pro-4X sub-trim is the more capable off-roader, thanks to its unique suspension and rear differential, every trim comes with a two-speed transfer case. Such hefty workhorse trucks aren't built for speed, but the Titan XD still manages to do a good job with a 0-to-60 mph sprint time of 7.4 to 7.9 seconds, according to independent tests.

The Nissan's maximum towing capacity is just 10,920 lbs (or 11,060 with a gooseneck hitch), around half of what the Ram 2500 and Ford F-250 are capable of.

The Titan XD has plenty of power thanks to its potent V8 engine, but its heft does conspire somewhat against the engine's ambitions. Not that it's slow, though, accelerating up to 60 mph in under eight seconds when unladen, but it can feel like it's lacking power when towing big rigs. On the highway, merging and passing when laden will require some patience. Luckily, the brakes are powerful, managing to bring the hefty pickup to a stop with ease, even from cruising speeds. Overall, the Titan XD is a comfortable daily driver, not just a heavy hauler.

The steering action is rather heavy and not very communicative, not that steering feel is a critical metric in a truck. On the plus side, steering response is accurate and predictable. This helps tame the beast and makes it easy to place on the road. Its ride quality is certainly civilized, thanks to its remarkably smooth suspension, a quality that sets the Titan apart from rival pickups that advertise their ruggedness through their lack of refinement. It's just a shame that some comparatively lightweight trucks can almost match the XD's unremarkable hauling figures.

Weighing in at nearly three tons and powered by a potent V8 engine, the Titan XD doesn't offer good fuel economy. Heavy-duty vehicles like this are seldom, if ever, rated by the EPA for their efficiency, so we have to rely on real-world reports from owners. Based on these, we estimate that the combined-cycle gas mileage of the Titan XD is somewhere in the region of 12 to 14 mpg. This is on par with similarly powerful heavy-duty rivals such as the Ford F-250. The Nissan will drain its 26-gallon fuel tank in around 364 miles between gas-station visits, but at least its ability to run on regular gasoline reduces the cost of ownership a bit.

Since the Crew Cab is now the standard and only configuration available, the Titan XD can accommodate six passengers with the front seat bench installed on the two lower trim levels, and five passengers with the individual front chairs on the upper trims. Regardless of the type of seats, both rows offer plenty of head- and legroom, even for full-size adults. Adding the optional moonroof to the top two trims does rob some of the headroom, but there is still enough even for taller passengers to feel comfortable. The seats are very comfortable at every trim level. The standard cloth is upgraded to leather on the Platinum Reserve. Similarly, the lower-tier trims come with manual front seats, while the upper trims get an eight-way powered driver's seat with available heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and driver-seat memory. The substantial height of the truck provides drivers with excellent forward visibility, but getting in requires quite a big step up.

For the last few years, the Titan XD has only available with the Crew Cab and the only bed length offered is the standard 6.5-foot bed. While no volume figure is provided by the manufacturer, the bed measures 78.7 inches long with a standard depth of 20.8 inches and a maximum width of 63.8 inches. With a bed this size, the XD is able to carry payloads of up to 2,430 lbs, which is a long way off rivals like the Ford F-250 that boast class-leading payloads of more than double that. On top of this, as mentioned before, the Nissan can't tow nearly as much as rival heavy-duty trucks like the F-250 and Ram 2500, maxing out at a conventional tow rating of only 1around 11,000 lbs.

There is a fair amount of small-item storage in the spacious interior. Eight cupholders and eight bottle holders are standard. The glove compartment and door pockets aren't as large as we'd hoped, but thankfully, the center armrest cubby is quite spacious. An overhead storage bin is standard on every trim level too.

While not a luxury vehicle, the Nissan Titan XD does have quite an extensive spec sheet. The base S model comes with cloth upholstery, basic air conditioning, manual front seats, and a manually tilting and telescoping steering column. Cruise control, remote keyless entry, push-button start, and a 12-volt power outlet round out the standard conveniences, while the safety suite comprises a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, and a driver alertness system. The SV adds a seven-inch driver-information display, trailer-sway control, trailer-brake control, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. The front bench is replaced with captain's chairs on the Pro-4X, with eight-way powered adjustability on the driver's seat. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is added, along with dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and front parking sensors. The top-tier Platinum Reserve gets upgraded to premium leather upholstery and adds ventilation to the front seats.

While it comes with all the basics, the NissanConnect infotainment suite on the XD is not as up to date as what many rivals offer. The touchscreen was enlarged to eight inches not too long ago and a Wi-Fi hotspot complements the standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard audio system has six speakers. The infotainment suite is upgraded again on the mid-tier Pro-4X, which sees the installation of a larger nine-inch touchscreen programmed with navigation functions and with a SiriusXM radio added. The audio system is also upgraded to a 12-speaker Fender setup. Two USB ports are present up front, with another two available to rear passengers. A rear-seat entertainment system can also be installed on any trim save for the base S model.

No recalls have yet affected the 2022 Nissan Titan XD. The 2021 model was recalled just once for an issue where the front turn signal bulbs could fail to illuminate. As for the 2020 model, it was affected by the same recall as long as two others: one for tire failure caused by sudden air loss and another for exposed wire in the engine harness that could lead to a stall.

Nissan offers a respectable warranty plan on new purchases, which includes a 100,000-mile/five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, covering the drivetrain, too. The roadside-assistance plan is valid for 36,000 miles/36 months and no standard scheduled maintenance plan is included.

Like most heavy-duty pickups, the Nissan Titan XD has not been subject to a safety review by either of the USA's major testing agencies. The slightly smaller and lighter Titan, on which the XD is largely based, received relatively good ratings of four stars from the NHTSA, and mostly Good score from the IIHS.

The truck comes standard with ABS, stability and traction control, and eight airbags: dual front, front knee, front side, and side curtain. The safety suite comprises lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, and a driver-alertness system. Available safety features include rear cross-traffic alert, front parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers, which come standard on the higher trims.

Determining the merit of the Nissan Titan XD can be a little tricky. This is because it tries to fit into the category of heavy-duty trucks, but doesn't quite measure up. In fact, in some respects, it is little more capable than a lightweight truck. However, it does handle better than its heavyweight contemporaries. This in-between-classes market positioning and lack of a defined identity make the Nissan hard to compare with other trucks.

As always, when attempting to be all things to all men, the Titan XD fails to do anything particularly well. This means it's a mediocre performer in most respects. It can haul a little more than a light-duty pickup, but considerably less than true heavy-duty trucks like the Ford F-250 or Ram 2500. Conversely, it handles far better than its more rugged rivals, with a smoother ride quality, too. However, light-duty trucks are still more nimble and comfortable.

This might be acceptable if Nissan asked you to pay less than you would for a genuine heavy-duty contender. But, with a price tag almost identical to much more capable rivals, the Titan XD just doesn't live up to expectations. If you want a semi-capable but comfortable daily driver, look to the cheaper, lightweight segment; if you want a rugged pickup that can tow a small mountain without breaking a sweat, then you need to be aiming higher than what the Nissan Titan XD can offer.

While it may not be as impressive as some of its more capable rivals, the Nissan Titan XD's price is also no more affordable, although there is a good level of standard equipment to help justify its pricing. $46,380 is the starting price of the S model. The SV is the next step up from the base model, costing $50,160. The Pro-4X is the most capable off-roader with Bilstein shocks and a rear locking differential, all of which push the price up to $55,970, while the top-tier Platinum Reserve breaks the $60,000 mark at $63,840. However, there is a number of available packages across the range to customize your purchase, which can conceivably add up to $10,000 to your bill. These prices don't include tax, registration, licensing, or Nissan's $1,695 destination charge.

Where once you could customize your purchase to suit a specific need, such as higher towing capacity or a larger cargo bed, the only thing differentiating the Titan XD models now is their list of features. For most functions, the base-level S or slightly better-appointed SV should satisfy most buyers. However, for those who value luxury over sheer practicality, and who don't mind the much higher price tag, there is the Platinum Reserve model with its heated seats, captain's chairs, and power front seats. But, if you want the most capable off-roader in the range, then there really is no choice other than the Pro-4X, which comes with Bilstein off-road suspension and a rear locking differential that work in conjunction with the standard 4WD drivetrain to optimize off-road ability.

The Titan is the lighter-duty variant of the Titan XD, but it's actually not that much less capable than the XD at all. The cheaper, lightweight pickup can pull loads of only 1,610 lbs less (with conventional towing) than its big brother. As a true light-duty truck, the Titan also delivers a smoother ride and better handling dynamics. In terms of features, though, the trucks differ very little. Both of them get the same V8 engine, and now that the XD no longer offers the diesel engine, it can't offer better torque or fuel economy, either. As a cheaper and almost as capable alternative to the XD, the standard Titan is the more sensible choice here. Yes, the Titan XD will appeal to those who absolutely need the extra towing capacity over the normal Titan, but if that's your primary concern, you should be looking at far superior rivals, such as Ford and Ram.

The Toyota Tundra isn't a direct rival to the Titan XD, falling into the lightweight category, whereas the XD sits at the low end of the heavyweight sector. Unfortunately, the Titan XD faces an uphill battle here as the Tundra is an all-new, much-improved arrival for 2022. The Tundra's 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 is nearly as powerful, much torquier, and returns better gas mileage. A new hybridized Tundra is comfortably better with 437 hp and a towing capacity that exceeds the XD's. Toyota has made the Tundra better to drive and the interior is a vast improvement with its available 14-inch touchscreen. Starting at a cheaper $35,950, it's hard to look past the Toyota in this comparison.