2020 Nissan Titan XD Review

　　

2020 Nissan Titan XD Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　For 2020, Nissan has refreshed its tweener truck, the Titan XD. On the outside you'll find revised front and rear styling, new lighting, a redesigned grille and a new tailgate. Tech is also upgraded, with the newly standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite — a bevy of features that make driving easier and safer. There are also larger touchscreens with a new user interface that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Titan XD S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) 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

　　$215/mo  for Titan XD S

　　Titan XD S

　　S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) - $44,580 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $48,290 MSRPPRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) - $53,980 MSRPSL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) - $58,490 MSRPPlatinum Reserve 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 9A) - $61,690 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　The Titan XD lineup has been simplified for 2020 too. Going forward, there is only one configuration: a crew cab with a 6.5-foot bed, four-wheel drive and a 5.6-liter gasoline V8. (The Cummins diesel has been dropped.) Output from the V8 is up slightly to 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Nissan has also swapped in a new nine-speed automatic transmission to replace the previous seven-speed auto. These changes, plus revised axle gearing, should enhance both acceleration and fuel efficiency.

　　While we're glad for these additions, they don't solve the Titan XD's fundamental issue: its lack of performance relative to other trucks. Conceptually, the XD occupies a niche between light-duty and heavy-duty trucks. But while it is priced like a heavy-duty, it tows and hauls far less than the 2500- and 3500-series trucks from Chevy, Ford and Ram. The light-duty trucks have gotten better too, and every one can tow more than the Titan XD except the Toyota Tundra and the regular Titan.

　　The 2020 Titan XD is a nice enough pickup when evaluated in isolation. But comparison-shop it against other trucks and you'll find it outclassed in nearly every metric.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar' editors tested a Titan XD nearly 25,000 miles over the course of a year. The good news is that the Titan is definitely tough, but we came away less enthused about the truck's finer points. Is it the right truck for you? Read our Titan XD yearlong test for a full evaluation. Note that while we tested a 2016 Titan XD with the then-available diesel engine, the 2020 truck is of the same generation and many of our observations still apply

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

Due to significant updates for 2020, we're revising our rating for the Titan XD. In the meantime, check out our Titan XD yearlong test for a comprehensive evaluation. Certain scores may change for 2020, but our vehicle testing team's overall assessment from last year still applies.

　　

Which Titan XD does zzdcar recommend?

We're partial to the midgrade Pro-4X. Though not every buyer will need its off-road upgrades, the Pro-4X also has some features that cost extra on lower models. It also presents a wider selection of luxury options, so you can upgrade your Titan as you see fit.

　　

2020 Nissan Titan XD models

The 2020 Nissan Titan XD is a full-size pickup with five available trim levels: S, SV, Pro-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. It comes in a single configuration, with a crew cab and a 6.5-foot bed. A 5.6-liter V8 gasoline engine (400 horsepower, 413 lb-ft of torque) is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive

　　S

　　The S kicks things off with:

　　Spray-in bedliner Receiver hitch with a combo four-pin/seven-pin wiring harness connector Lockable tailgate Sliding rear window Power windows and locks Push-button ignition 8-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integrationEvery Titan XD also comes with a suite of standard safety features that includes:

　　Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Trailer sway control (helps stabilize a towed trailer while driving)SV

　　The SV looks less like a work truck, adding:

　　Front tow hooks Gooseneck hitch Heated, power-adjustable towing mirrors Trailer brake controller Wi-Fi hotspot Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Titan XD and the car in front)There are two primary packages for the SV:

　　SV Convenience package Remote engine start Side steps Power-sliding rear window Keyless entry Auto-dimming rearview mirror Leather-wrapped steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control Rear air vents Heated front bucket seats with power driver's seat Navigation system 9-inch touchscreen 110-volt household-style power outlet SV Utility package Automatic wipers Bed steps Cargo-management rail system LED bed lighting 110-volt outlet in bed Pro-4X

　　The Pro-4X is the off-road-themed model. It adds the following unique features on top of the SV content:

　　18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires LED headlights and foglights Bilstein shocks Skid plates Electronic locking rear differential Hill descent controlThe Pro-4X comes with all of the features from the above packages, except for remote engine start, side steps and heating for the front seats.

　　There are two option packages for the Pro-4X:

　　Pro-4X Convenience package Remote engine start Auto-dimming outside mirrors Heated, power-adjustable steering wheel Driver-seat memory settings Heated front and rear seats Power-adjustable front passenger seat Leather upholstery Visual trailer check function Premium package Ventilated front seats Panoramic sunroof In-bed Titan Box storage system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Titan XD and its surroundings for tight parking situations) SL

　　The Pro-4X's mechanical upgrades are missing on the luxurious SL, but it does come with many of the Pro-4X's other features. The SL also includes:

　　20-inch wheels Remote engine start Heated, power-adjustable steering wheel Driver-seat memory settings Heated front seats Power-adjustable front passenger seat Surround-view cameraThe panoramic sunroof is the only optional extra for the SL.

　　Platinum Reserve

　　The range-topping Platinum Reserve is the most luxe Titan XD. Features include:

　　Dark chrome exterior styling Illuminated side steps Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Upgraded leather upholstery Wood trimTwo packages are available for the Platinum Reserve:

　　Platinum Utility package In-bed Titan Box storage system Remote-locking tailgate Bed steps Moonroof package

　　

2020 Titan XD Highlights

Trim: SSVPRO-4XSLPlatinum ReserveS

　　

Base MSRP	$44,580
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$215/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	10,880 lbs.
Warranty	5 years / 100,000 miles