Topic: First Drive: 2016 Nissan Titan XD

[Autos_Editor]

Nissan's new segment-straddling "tweener" is the first true 5/8-ton pickup.
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[Noto]

For a non-truck guy, I could see the appeal in this thing.  What, other than parking in compact spots, can it not do?  Every little piece seems to be thoroughly-designed for utility, down to the angle of the backup camera - good job, Lesley, on highlighting the little details!

With all the effort that went into this, I hope the Titan sells well.  It has a good name, good design, and assuming it's competitively priced, I'd assume good things.  The Cummins engine sounds fantastic!

[Great_Big_Abyss]

For a non-truck guy, I could see the appeal in this thing.  What, other than parking in compact spots, can it not do?  Every little piece seems to be thoroughly-designed for utility, down to the angle of the backup camera - good job, Lesley, on highlighting the little details!

With all the effort that went into this, I hope the Titan sells well.  It has a good name, good design, and assuming it's competitively priced, I'd assume good things.  The Cummins engine sounds fantastic!

To be fair, pretty much all the half ton players have trucks that are equally well thought out and just as capable.

The integrated gooseneck hitch on the Titan XD is kinda cool though.

[greengs]

The problem with this truck is its weight.  It's over 7000lbs, which is what the true HD trucks weigh. 

[Noto]

The problem with this truck is its weight.  It's over 7000lbs, which is what the true HD trucks weigh.

...built for 'MURICA!

And rrocket will be happy in the event of a collision.

"oh, that's cute...you bounced off of me."

[bridgecity]

It doesn’t share a single nut nor bolt with the conventional gasoline Titan that will follow it to market.

Really?

Ya I find that hard to believe also.

[drive67]

Full size truck between $40,000 to $60,000 while the GMC Canyon diesel is $50,000 for mid sized truck. See if they bring out the Frontier in diesel this year and the price range it will be. In 2006 GMC Duramax diesel  was smooth and quiet, it took till 2016 for Nissan to bring a smooth Cummings diesel to market. 

[SaskSpecV]

Interesting article Lesley, but I found it less critical than I had anticipated.  For starters (as greengs  has stated), the fact that the Titan XD is freakishly heavy wasn't mentioned.  It's basically a 3/4 tonne diesel weight (certainly more than a 3/4 tonne gas truck), but without the 3/4 tonne diesel capability.  It doesn't even do better 3/4 tonne gas capability (same towing capacity, far less payload).  So what are the advantages of the XD over a 3/4 tonne truck?  Does it only come down to better ride quality, and better fuel economy with the diesel?  The truck itself isn't physically any smaller than a 3/4 tonne truck, in any dimension.

The factory-installed gooseneck is neat, but the "flippable" gooseneck hitch is already fairly ubiquitous in the aftermarket (we got a B&W turnover gooseneck installed on the GMC 2500).  It will be interesting to see how this type of option is priced.  If Nissan keeps is under a grand, it would make sense compared to doing it aftermarket - but once into 4 figures I'm not sure there would be any point in going factory.

Any more word on the gas engine trucks?  Will the 5.6L come in the XD frame, or only as a "regular" half-tonne?

[wing]

The gooseneck hitch is standard

[SaskSpecV]

The gooseneck hitch is standard

Interesting...what about a bedliner?  I wonder if they'll have a factory-option as well?

Pricing on the diesel XD is going to be interesting to watch.  Looks like there won't really be a bare-bones work version, so I'm guessing $55K to start.  In the same ballpark as actual transaction prices for loaded 1/2-tonnes, very well-equipped gas 3/4 tonnes, or stripper diesel 3/4 tonnes.  Also to see if Nissan plays the high MSRP/big discount game with the new Titan, or prices it lower right out of the box.

[OliverD]

Any more word on the gas engine trucks?  Will the 5.6L come in the XD frame, or only as a "regular" half-tonne?

It will be available on both.

[Lesley]

The "not a single nut nor bolt" shared is a direct quote from Nissan. Can I prove that? Nope.
Obviously, given its bulk, the Titan XD won't appeal to everyone. But I'll bet it will scoop up those folks wavering between a light duty or heavy duty.
It's as comfortable to drive as any half-ton - that's a big selling point.
The spray-in bedliner is a factory option, same goes for the Utili-Track cargo tie-down system.
The removeable gooseneck hitch is standard.

[PJ]

In terms of market position it reminds me of the Silverado 1500HD from a decade ago.  It was aimed at those who didn't want a 3/4 ton but needed more then a 1/2 ton. 

A good idea but I don't think it sold very well.

[Ex-airbalancer]

The "not a single nut nor bolt" shared is a direct quote from Nissan. Can I prove that? Nope.
Obviously, given its bulk, the Titan XD won't appeal to everyone. But I'll bet it will scoop up those folks wavering between a light duty or heavy duty.
It's as comfortable to drive as any half-ton - that's a big selling point.
The spray-in bedliner is a factory option, same goes for the Utili-Track cargo tie-down system.
The removeable gooseneck hitch is standard.

Mistake there
Everyone can use a spray-in bed, but not many will need a gooseneck hitch 

[OliverD]

In terms of market position it reminds me of the Silverado 1500HD from a decade ago.  It was aimed at those who didn't want a 3/4 ton but needed more then a 1/2 ton. 

A good idea but I don't think it sold very well.

The 1500HD was a bit different. At the time the 1500 wasn't available as a crew cab, but the 2500 was. The 1500HD was a stop-gap measure to provide a "light duty" crew cab but in reality it was just a rebadged 2500 (note that at the time GM offered both a 2500 and 2500HD). It was only available with the 6.0 V8 which was not available in the 1500 (until the SS model came along), and only as a crew cab with a 6.5' bed.

[tooscoops]

everybody talks about how many people fall into that middling ground between the light and heavy duty... and yes, this fits in the middle...

but i don't know if it gives enough of a reason to not go overkill and get a true heavy duty... if you are towing 11000lbs, you need at least this truck, or a heavy duty from the other big guys.... if the others are priced similar, have similar economy and ride quality isn't too hampered, i don't see why you choose the one less capable...

i do find it interesting to see a truck where the pricing is only 20k from the more base trim to top... trucks tend to be huge gaps, so though 20 is a lot of money, it's still not as drastic as i expected.

[Blueprint]

The loaded Titan that's on display at the Montreal Auto Show is wearing a 73k$ sticker...

[OliverD]

Saw three parked at my local dealer the other day and this morning I saw one towing a snowmobile trailer.

[mixmanmash]

Saw on Nissan's build and price that they are offering $3000 off for cash purchase.

[EV-Light]

Saw three parked at my local dealer the other day and this morning I saw one towing a snowmobile trailer.

Luck you! I am sure it will be months before I see one in the wild...Titan owners were never truly happy with their truck and I am sure Nissan lost quite a few of them, besides the price will be hard to swallow for truck buyers - IMO.




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