Here’s a fact you might not know: Japanese pickup trucks dominate the global market outside of North America. That’s right, Japanese trucks are some of the most sought-after in the world. And the Nissan Titan really brings the fight to its domestic rivals in the full-size pickup segment.
If you haven’t considered the Nissan Titan before, you need to. The Titan is a genuine full-size contender that stands up to the big boys. Let’s take a closer look at the 2019 Nissan Titan to see how convincing it really is.
Styling
Pickup trucks from foreign manufacturers don’t really look like American trucks, and that’s one of their problems. However. the Titan probably looks more like a domestic model than any other Japanese pickup truck. And that’s a big check in its plus column.
The 2019 Titan does take the classic “three-box” design in a slightly different direction to its Ford and GM rivals. It’s big, it looks tough and rugged, and it’s desirable when you first see its shiny exterior.
Capability
Yes, full-size trucks need to be about far more than just towing and hauling capability these days, but towing and hauling is still a big factor for most buyers.
The Titan isn’t a match for the F-150 or the Silverado 1500, but the Titan XD certainly is. The maximum tow capacity of the 2019 Nissan Titan is 9,660 pounds, and the maximum payload is 1,930 pounds. If that’s not enough for your needs, the Titan XD can tow up to 12,710 pounds and can haul a maximum 2,990 pounds.
Drivetrain
Nissan keeps it nice and simple with engines for the 2019 Titan as the same one powers all versions. It’s a pretty good one too: a 5.6-liter V-8 that develops 390 horsepower and 394 lb.-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, which sends the power to the rear or all four wheels.
The Titan’s four-wheel-drive system is controlled by the driver using a knob situated on the dashboard, but unlike like automatic systems offered by some of the Nissan’s rivals, this system is off-road focused and isn’t suitable for dry pavement use.
There is another engine in the Titan family, but it’s only available for the Titan XD. The unit in question is a 5.0-liter V-8 turbodiesel that develops 310 hp and 555 lb.-ft. of torque.
Features and Equipment
If you’re looking for a full-size pickup truck as a versatile and flexible alternative to a sedan or SUV for the daily commute, family duties and wilderness weekend adventures, this is where the 2019 Nissan Titan really makes sense.
Midsize trucks are great in this role, but they can lack the passenger and cargo space of a crossover inside the cabin. That’s not the case here; the Titan has the cabin room of a full-size truck along with all the amenities of a well-equipped family sedan or SUV.
There are five trim levels in the Titan family, and even the entry-level Titan S is much more generously equipped than a basic work truck. The S comes standard with cloth and vinyl seats, power features, air conditioning, a rearview camera, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and features a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.
SV models are where the majority of buyers will start, and this is the variant where alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim and Trailer Sway Control come into play as part of standard equipment. This is also the first model that can be upgraded with options like front bucket seats with a console, a power driver’s seat, satellite navigation, and dual-zone climate control. Of course, from there buyers have plenty of options for upgrading all elements of the 2019 Nissan Titan in terms of comfort, luxury, technology, safety and off-road features. The Titan trim levels start with the S, and from there the range goes to the SV, Pro-4X, SL and the Platinum Reserve.
Another feature of the Titan that’s well worth mentioning is the warranty. Every Titan comes with a five-year, 100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Specifications
Different buyers want and need different things from a pickup, and the 2019 Nissan Titan can be configured in a number of different ways. There are three body styles of regular, extended and crew-cab, and three different beds of 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot lengths. There are 11 different exterior colors for buyers to select from, eight different interiors, and 10 different alloy wheel choices.
Packages
Even though there’s a good spread of trim levels and great cab and bed choices, the buying process is complicated a little further by an array of available upgrade packages. Some are only available with certain trim models, but they’re well worth checking out if you want to tailor a Titan to your specific taste and needs. T
he PRO-4X Utility Package and Tow Package are obvious contenders, but the Midnight Edition package is well worth considering if you want that stealthy, sinister blacked-out look for your new truck.
The Last Word
If you take any particular aspect of the 2019 Nissan Titan in isolation, chances are there’s another full-size, light-duty pickup out there that does it better. But if you want to step aside from the crowd and not buy an F-150, a Silverado or a Ram 1500, the Titan is worth considering.
Put some time into choosing the right cab, trim level, and upgrade packages, and the Nissan could be just what you’re looking for. And with its exceptional warranty and legendary Nissan reliability, it could be the only truck you need for years.