2008 Nissan Titan Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　The 2008 Nissan Titan receives its most significant update since its 2004 debut. Major changes include the availability of a new long-wheelbase model, freshened exterior styling, interior design improvements and new features.

　　

zzdcar says

　　Though deficient in a few areas, the 2008 Nissan Titan is still well-suited for a range of truck buyers thanks to its stout V8, roomy interior and loads of useful features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2008 Nissan Titan XE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$267/mo  for Titan XE

　　Titan XE

　　XE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $23,700 MSRPXE 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $23,700 MSRPXE FFV 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $24,100 MSRPXE 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $24,100 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $25,330 MSRPNew XE 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $25,330 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $25,930 MSRPNew XE 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $25,930 MSRPXE FFV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,550 MSRPXE 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,550 MSRPXE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,900 MSRPXE 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,900 MSRPXE FFV 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,950 MSRPXE 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,950 MSRPXE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,300 MSRPXE 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,300 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,880 MSRPNew XE 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,880 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,180 MSRPNew XE 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,180 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,480 MSRPNew XE 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,480 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,780 MSRPNew XE 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,780 MSRPXE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,750 MSRPXE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,750 MSRPXE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,150 MSRPXE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,150 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,730 MSRPNew XE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,730 MSRPNew XE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,330 MSRPNew XE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,330 MSRPSE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $25,900 MSRPSE 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $25,900 MSRPSE FFV 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,300 MSRPSE 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $26,300 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,330 MSRPNew SE 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,330 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,930 MSRPNew SE 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $27,930 MSRPSE FFV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) (Most Popular) - $28,400 MSRPSE 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,400 MSRPSE FFV 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,800 MSRPSE 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $28,800 MSRPSE 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,100 MSRPSE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,100 MSRPSE 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,500 MSRPSE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,500 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,530 MSRPNew SE 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $29,530 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,130 MSRPNew SE 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,130 MSRPNew SE 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,180 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,180 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,780 MSRPNew SE 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $30,780 MSRPSE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,600 MSRPSE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,600 MSRPSE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,000 MSRPSE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,000 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,380 MSRPNew SE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,380 MSRPNew SE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,980 MSRPNew SE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,980 MSRPPRO-4X 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,450 MSRPPRO-4X FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,450 MSRPNew PRO-4X FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,980 MSRPNew PRO-4X 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,980 MSRPPRO-4X FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $33,950 MSRPPRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $33,950 MSRPNew PRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,180 MSRPNew PRO-4X FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,180 MSRPPRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,350 MSRPPRO-4X FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,350 MSRPNew PRO-4X FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,780 MSRPNew PRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,780 MSRPLE 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,700 MSRPLE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $31,700 MSRPLE FFV 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,100 MSRPLE 4dr King Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $32,100 MSRPNew LE FFV 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $33,030 MSRPNew LE 4dr King Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $33,030 MSRPLE FFV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,200 MSRPLE 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,200 MSRPLE FFV 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,600 MSRPLE 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,600 MSRPLE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,750 MSRPLE 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $34,750 MSRPLE 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,150 MSRPLE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,150 MSRPNew LE FFV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,230 MSRPNew LE 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,230 MSRPNew LE FFV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,730 MSRPNew LE 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,730 MSRPNew LE FFV 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,830 MSRPNew LE 4dr Crew Cab LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $35,830 MSRPLE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $37,250 MSRPLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $37,250 MSRPLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $37,650 MSRPLE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $37,650 MSRPNew LE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $37,930 MSRPNew LE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $37,930 MSRPNew LE FFV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $38,530 MSRPNew LE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) - $38,530 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　

Vehicle overview

　　The United States — home of an $11.7-trillion GDP and Walker, Texas Ranger — should know a thing or two about swagger. It's little wonder, then, that domestic manufacturers invented and cornered the full-size truck market. So when Nissan debuted its aptly named Titan truck a few years ago, the prognosis was uncertain. Would an import-brand manufacturer really be able to get to the heart of this quintessentially American market segment?

　　The answer turned out to be yes with an asterisk. On sale since the 2004 model year, the Nissan Titan matched up well in terms of towing and hauling capability, and excelled in terms of design and road manners. However (and here's that asterisk part), sales have not exactly pegged the swagger meter. In fact, the Nissan Titan has typically been the least popular full-size pickup in terms of sales. So for 2008, Nissan is making changes in hopes of improving the vehicle's appeal.

　　Most significant is the new long-wheelbase model. The 20-inch-longer wheelbase is available on both extended-cab and crew-cab trucks. Truck buyers who were previously put off by the Titan — contractors or those who do a lot of hauling — will no doubt appreciate the new cargo bed lengths. Long-wheelbase versions of the crew cab and extended cab have 7-foot and 8-foot beds, respectively.

　　There are other changes for the Titan this year, as well. The exterior has been updated with revised front-end styling, while the interior features new designs for the seats, center stack and gauge cluster. Feature-wise, the 2008 Nissan Titan can now be had with Bluetooth connectivity and factory-installed satellite radio, and the optional rear-seat entertainment screen is a little bigger than before. Nissan has also introduced a new trim level — the Pro-4X — but it's pretty much just a new name for the equipment offered in last year's optional off-road package.

　　All of these changes have made this year's Titan the best yet. Unfortunately for Nissan, a lot of media attention is on the Toyota Tundra and GM trucks right now, both of which received full redesigns last year. In a comparison test conducted last year, the Titan ranked behind the new Tundra and Silverado, and we found it outclassed in terms of capability and comfort.

　　But look past all that and you'll see that the 2008 Nissan Titan is a still a very desirable truck. That it lacks a full range of body styles or a V6 engine shouldn't matter much to the mainstream, truck-buying consumer. Though you'll obviously want to shop around before making a decision, we have no problem recommending the Titan.

　　

Performance & mpg

　　The 2008 Nissan Titan is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. There is only one drivetrain combination: a 5.6-liter V8 hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 is rated at 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. With the optional tow package, the Titan extended cab is rated to pull up to 9,500 pounds. (The crew cab maxes out at 9,400.) The standard five-speed automatic transmission features a tow-haul mode for handling heavy loads.

　　

Safety

　　Antilock disc brakes with brake assist are standard on all Titan models. Front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and stability control are optional on all trims, except the XE. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash testing, the Titan received a perfect five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for passenger protection. The Titan earned a "Good" rating (the highest possible) in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash testing.

　　

Driving

　　The 2008 Nissan Titan's precise, linear steering and nicely weighted effort make the truck relatively nimble and easy to drive quickly on pavement. However, a stiff ride quality (especially on Pro-4X models) can make the Titan feel skittish in off-road situations. The Nissan Titan's tractable 5.6-liter V8 delivers plenty of muscle, right from idle. It sounds great, too, but that booming exhaust note can grow tiresome on long drives.

　　

Interior

　　Both extended-cab and crew-cab Titans feature a spacious and functional interior design with easy-to-use controls and numerous storage bins. Materials quality is only average, but build quality is generally very good. The rear seats fold up to provide a large load floor for hauling items inside the cab, and the rear doors on extended-cab models open nearly 180 degrees for easier access. The Titan is a great cargo carrier thanks to the optional Utility Bed Package with its durable spray-on bedliner, movable tie-down cleats, handy tailgate illumination and driver-side lockbox

　　

2008 Nissan Titan models

　　The 2008 Nissan Titan full-size pickup is available in two basic configurations: an extended cab (King Cab) or a crew cab. The extended cab comes with either a 6-foot-6-inch bed or an 8-foot bed while the crew cab is available with either a 5-foot-6-inch bed or a 7-foot bed. From there, one can choose among four available trim levels: XE, SE, Pro-4X and LE.

　　Base XE models come with 18-inch steel wheels, a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, air-conditioning, a CD stereo and cruise control. The mid-grade Titan SE adds 18-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, front captain's chairs with a center console, leather seating, an in-dash CD changer, an auxiliary audio input jack, power heated mirrors and an overhead console. The Pro-4X (four-wheel-drive only) is similar to the SE but also comes with Rancho shocks, heavy-duty skid plates, a lower final-drive gear ratio, all-terrain tires and a push-button rear locking differential.

　　Top-of-the-line Titan LE models add 20-inch wheels, a factory-applied spray-on bedliner, specialized cargo tie-down tracks, rear parking assist, power-adjustable front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded Rockford Fosgate audio system, power-adjustable pedals, auto-dimming mirrors and a power-folding feature for the side mirrors. Many of the LE's features are also available as options on the lower trims. Other major options, depending on the trim, include a tow package, a navigation system, satellite radio, a DVD rear entertainment system and a sunroof.

　　

2008 Titan Highlights

Type: Crew CabKing CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: XESEPRO-4XLEXE

　　

Base MSRP	$26,550
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	10 MPG
Cost to Drive	$267/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles