2012 Nissan Titan Crew Cab SL 4x4 Review

It may be considered a Japanese alternative to the Holy Trinity of American pickups, yet it’s built in Canton, Mississippi, United States – go figure. Nonetheless, DNA for the Nissan Titan reaches back to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Designed for North America
Not only is the Titan built on US soil, it was specifically designed for the North American market and intended as a direct competitor to the F-150, Ram and Silverado/Sierra 4x4 pickups. I admire the exterior design of the Titan and believe it holds its own against anything else in the field, including the Toyota Tundra and Honda Ridgeline.

The Titan built on US soil, it was specifically designed for the North American market and intended as a direct competitor to the F-150, Ram and Silverado/Sierra 4x4 pickups. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

My tester was the top-line Crew Cab SL model, which was nicely stocked with comfort and convenience items sans navigation, which is a $2,950 option. In my view, navigation should be included as standard equipment on the SL given the vehicle’s MSRP of $50,598. (It should be noted, however, that at the time of writing, Nissan is offering a $4,500 factory price reduction on this vehicle.)

While I would argue that the Titan’s exterior design is more appealing than anything else in the full-size pickup category, the same can’t be said for its spacious cabin. The interior real estate is vast and well constructed, but it doesn’t match the opulence found in the F-150 King Ranch or the Ram 1500 Laramie.

The captain’s seats up front in my tester were delightful and as comfortable as the best perches of the competition but the cabin itself was absent the upscale level of trim and high quality finishings that have found their way into the top-line F-150 and Ram of late. Still, it’s a better executed living room than that furnished by GM for their Sierra and Silverado siblings despite having a steering column that doesn’t telescope; it only tilts.

Big truck – big power
Like the domestic rigs, the Titan Crew Cab is powered by a thirsty V8 engine — and let me emphasize the thirst. While not the most powerful crew cab pickup on the market or bestowed with the best tow-rating, the Titan drinks fuel as if it were.

Displacing 5.6L, the DOHC V8 produces 317 hp @ 5,200 rpm, but more impressively, it churns out 385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm. Power is harnessed by a five-speed automatic transmission featuring a tow/haul mode.

All Titan Crew Cabs sold in Canada are fitted with four-wheel drive (4WD). The shift-on-the-fly system includes low-range gearing and a switch-on-demand locking rear differential. Also included as standard off-road equipment are skid plates to protect the fuel tank and oil pan.

Displacing 5.6L, the DOHC V8 produces 317 hp @ 5,200 rpm, but more impressively, it churns out 385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)