X

2016 Nissan Titan XD bets big on Cummins diesel (pictures)

Nissan's second-generation Titan XD may be a full-size gamble since it doesn't fit neatly into half- or three-quarter-ton categories, but it's an intriguing, intelligent bet.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
09-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
1 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

The Titan XD's bold grille is said to have been inspired by the masks of Roman warriors.

08-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
2 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan's Titan XD will eventually be a full model line with a half-ton variant, gas engine, as well as three cab and bed configurations.

00-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
3 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

This four-door-cab configuration is expected to be the Titan's most popular body style.

14-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
4 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

This is the 2016 Titan XD's most luxurious trim, Platinum Reserve.

11-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
5 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan had to lift the hood height of its Titan design to accommodate the 5.0-liter Cummins V-8.

15-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
6 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

That big chrome garnish on the back of the Titan XD Platinum Reserve ought to make for a nifty high-beam deterrent for trailing motorists.

13-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
7 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

This particular Titan features a 6.5-foot bed.

05-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
8 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Higher-end Titan XD models feature LED daytime running lamps LED main beams.

16-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
9 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Note the way the taillamps project out from the bedsides.

01-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
10 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan designers say that tools inspired the design of the Titan's wheels.

03-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
11 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

This chrome fender vent isn't a functional vent at all -- it's just an excuse to show off the Titan's Cummins engine.

04-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
12 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

There's nothing subtle about the Titan's badging.

02-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
13 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Those big, extendable tow mirrors have smaller integrated blind-spot mirrors, as well as cameras underneath for Nissan's Around View Monitor 360-degree visibility system.

07-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
14 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Note how craftily the forward-facing camera is integrated in the grille emblem.

06-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
15 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan doesn't normally print model names on the front of its vehicles, let alone in such big letters. Designers felt this touch was so important that they had to fight to convince executives in Japan to let them.

31-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
16 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

The Titan's cabin is well organized, and in Platinum Reserve trim, rather posh.

17-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
17 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

The Cummins V-8 is the 310-horsepower, 555-pound-feet heart of the Titan XD.

27-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
18 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Two-tone leather clad's Nissan's comfy power-adjusted Zero Gravity seats on the Platinum Reserve. The passenger-side seat could use more modes of adjustment, however.

23-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
19 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Traditional round analogue gauges and a multi-function screen make up the heart of the Titan's gauge cluster.

37-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
20 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Heavy-duty trucks aren't subject to the EPA's fuel-economy testing.

36-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
21 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Keyless entry and push-button start are standard, even on the base S Titan XD.

25-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
22 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Models with navigation are fitted with an easy-to-use 7-inch touchscreen, but lesser models make do with a 5-inch display.

32-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
23 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan's first-generation Titan pioneered center-console-based automatic shifters in modern pickups, but for its successor, it went column shift to free up more room for storage and cupholders between the seats.

30-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
24 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Under the split-fold rear bench is a lockable, reconfigurable storage area. That Titan-branded bag holds the gooseneck tow ball.

29-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
25 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

The under-seat storage bins can also be folded out to create a flat-loading floor without a driveline hump.

28-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
26 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

The rear seats in the Titan XD Crew cab are somewhat upright, but still comfortable, and leg- and headroom is plentiful.

26-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
27 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Note the stitching and wood inlays.

35-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
28 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Note the knobs for the cooled and heated seats ahead of the storage bin, as well as the integrated trailer brake controller next to the USB inputs and power plug.

24-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
29 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

The Titan's navigation interface will be familiar to anyone who has used a recent Nissan product with GPS.

34-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
30 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Sirius provides traffic data for the Titan's navigation system, and NissanConnect Apps integrates features like emergency crash notification, stolen vehicle locator, remote unlocking and more.

33-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
31 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan says they tuned both the stereo and exhaust for more low-end response (read: bass) than is typical for Nissan automobiles, because that's what truck buyers prefer.

22-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
32 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan arranged for journalists to drive the Titan XD with 750 pounds strapped in the bed.

21-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
33 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Nissan provided competitor HD trucks for comparison on a rough dirt road closed course including washboard surfaces and surfaces comprised of large rocks. It displayed a superior ride to both Ford and GM products.

20-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
34 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

A 9,000-pound, 24-foot double-axle trailer provided a suitable towing test for the Titan XD.

10-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
35 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Branding is everywhere, even on the running boards.

19-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
36 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

This Titan XD is fitted with Nissan's lockable, drainable, removable in-bed storage system. Note the capped cleat runners in the bed for the tie-down system, as well as the round plugs that cover the hole for the gooseneck hitch and chain mounts.

18-2016-nissan-titan-xd.jpg
37 of 37 Chris Paukert/CNET

Even with the in-bed storage in place, the bed can accommodate a 4x8 sheet of plywood and also have a topper cap or rack placed on top. Under-rail LED lights illuminate the storage bins at night, as well as whatever else is in the bed.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos