2016 Nissan Titan XD

NEW FOR 2016:

- All-new model.

Nissan is carving out a new niche between the half-ton (think Ford F-150) and three-quarter ton (Ford F-250 Super Duty) truck segments with its all-new Titan XD. It offers up a half-ton-sized body that sits on an extra-beefy fully boxed frame that was designed to excel at heavy lifting. With a towing capacity that tops out at over 12,000 lbs and a payload capacity in excess of 2,000 lbs, it could very well be the right tool for folks who tow and haul regularly but don?t want the added bulk of a heavy-duty truck.

For now, the Titan XD is only offered with a 5.0-litre turbodiesel V8 engine developed by Cummins. It makes 310 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque, and is saddled up to a six-speed automatic built by Aisin. Not interested in diesel? A direct-injected version of the old Titan?s 5.6-litre Endurance V8 with 390 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque will join the range at a later date, as will a standard non-XD Titan.

Down the road, Nissan also plans to offer the Titan XD in three different cab configurations stretching over two wheelbases, but for now, it is only being offered in a Crew Cab body style with a long bed.

Speaking of cabs, the interior of the Titan XD takes a big step forward in design and fit and finish. Nissan has jumped on the premium bandwagon, offering a new Platinum Reserve trim that decks the interior out in two-tone brown leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim. Notable tech features include a 360-degree camera, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated seats.

The Titan XD is available in S, SV, PRO-4X, SL, and Platinum Reserve trims.

Features on the S include 17-inch painted steel wheels, two-speed transfer case, dampened tailgate assist, front tow hooks, LED cargo bed lights, advanced instrument cluster display, air conditioning, 5.0-inch display audio system with NissanConnect and Mobile Apps, AM/FM/CD player, USB audio port, manually adjustable front bench seat, cloth upholstery, and tire-pressure monitor.

SV adds oil pan and fuel tank skid plates, chrome bumpers, heated power mirrors with puddle lights, extendable tow mirrors, Class IV tow hitch receiver, trailer brake controller and light function check, integrated gooseneck hitch, stain-resistant cloth trim, satellite radio, and trailer-sway control.

SV Premium Package adds 20-inch alloy wheels, body-colour rear bumper, step rails, automatic headlights, fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, 7.0-inch display audio system with navigation and Mobile Apps, voice recognition, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, proximity key with push-button start, garage door opener, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power-sliding rear window with defroster, Utili-track channel system with four tie-down cleats, factory-applied spray-on bed liner, bed-mounted 110-volt AC power outlet, LED under-rail bed and tailgate area lights, centre console-mounted 110-volt power outlet and 12-volt power outlet, eight-way power adjustable captain?s chairs, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome interior door handles, reverse camera, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert.

PRO-4X builds on SV and adds 18-inch dark-finish alloy wheels, electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein off-road performance shocks, transfer case and lower radiator skid plates, body-colour bumpers, grille, and wheel arches, Gun Metallic painted front and rear bumpers, automatic headlamps, fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, power-sliding rear window with defroster, Utili-track channel system with four tie-down cleats, factory-applied spray-on bed liner, bed-mounted 110-volt AC power outlet, LED under-rail bed and tailgate area lights, 7.0-inch display audio system with navigation and Mobile Apps, voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, reverse camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, proximity key with push-button start, garage door opener, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, centre console-mounted 110-volt power outlet and 12-volt power outlet, eight-way power adjustable captain?s seat, heated front seats, PRO-4X embroidered seat with white stitching, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 12-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, blind-spot warning, and ear cross-traffic alert.

PRO-4X Luxury Package adds auto-dimming driver?s side exterior mirror, exterior mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, around-view 360-degree parking camera, remote starter, driver memory, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, four-way power adjustable passenger seat, power tilt and telescoping steering column, compass, dual Titan XD boxes.

SL builds on PRO-4X, adds auto-dimming driver?s side mirror, remote start, power tilt and telescoping steering column, four-way power adjustable passenger seat, driver memory, and leather upholstery. Deletes exterior mirrors with auto-tilt-down feature, hill descent control, electronic rear locking differential, Bilstein off-road performance shocks, and transfer case and lower radiator skid plates. Replaces 18-inch alloy wheels with 20-inch alloy wheels, painted bumpers with chrome bumpers, painted grille with chrome grille, and body-colour wheel arch mouldings with plastic mouldings.

Platinum Reserve builds on SL, adds chrome-finish 20-inch wheels, body-colour wheel arch mouldings, Titanium painted bumpers, exterior mirrors with auto-tilt-down feature, dual Titan XD boxes, 360-degree parking camera, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, premium leather upholstery, wood-finish steering wheel, and open-pore wood trim.