2008 Nissan Titan Review
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By G.R. Whale

Overview

The Nissan Titan gets two noteworthy additions and a host of detail improvements for 2008, delivering more of the truck capability while taking off just enough of the tough-guy truck image to appeal to a broader range of drivers and occupants.

New long-bed models have been added, and are longer than most competitors, along with more bed space, payload, and fuel capacity.

Inside, the 2008 Nissan Titan sports a thoroughly redesigned interior that is at once more attractive and user-friendly. There's plenty of room for a growing family of five or four big sportsmen off for weekend recreation. Titans range from utilitarian models with crank windows to leather-lined cabs befitting a luxurious sport-utility.

Titan's proven and powerful V8 and automatic is the only choice, and it's a stout engine raced at more than twice its street-legal 317 horsepower. Nothing like this gets good gas mileage and if you have no plans to haul stuff around or tow anything, the Titan will be overkill and you should check out a van, or maybe a Pathfinder for those Nissan faithful in need of four-wheel drive. When you do haul and tow, you'll find the features added for such activities very useful and that it's surprisingly capable for a half-ton pickup.

In part because of the engine, the Titan leans to the sporty and heavy-user ends of the pickup truck spectrum. Obviously it can be used on a daily basis and perhaps on an overcast day it might just blend in, but the Titan is more outgoing than that and would prefer a home with an adventurous family, busy independent contractor or landscaper, hard-core four wheeler towing a buggy, or on the job site tending to fickle foremen and agitated architects: At least on the weekdays.

If you need a full-size pickup with power to perform and plenty of room, the Nissan Titan should be on your shopping list.

Model Lineup

The 2008 Nissan Titan line has been expanded to include the new long-wheelbase model. More than 25 variants are available. Choose from two cabs (King, Crew), two wheelbases (short or long bed), two- and four-wheel drive, and four trim levels (XE, SE, Pro-4X, LE) in virtually any combination with these exceptions: Pro-4X models are 4WD only, and the King Cab Pro-4X is short wheelbase only. Four-wheel drive adds about $3000; a long wheelbase adds about $400, and figure $2500-$3000 to move up from King Cab to Crew Cab.

The base XE model is focused on function and includes cloth seating for six, active front head restraints, full instrumentation, cruise control, and on Crew Cabs, power windows and door locks.

Popular SE models add alloy wheels, upholstery upgrades, a CD changer, heated power mirrors, and conveniences such as remote keyless entry and illuminated visor mirrors. The next slot, sort of a 4WD only SE derivative, is the Pro-4X model with larger, more aggressive tires, off-road suspension tuning, two-tone cloth upholstery, and double sun visors.

Luxury characterizes the LE model, which runs 20-inch wheels, fog lamps, leather power seats, a 350-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, dual-zone climate control, power adjustable pedals, and chrome power folding heated mirrors.

All except the XE offer a front side/side curtain/roll-sensing stability control option package. SE and Pro-4X have the widest choices, from spray-in bedliner to seat choices, while navigation is reserved for Pro-4X and LE trucks. On Crew Cab SE-or-better only, a moonroof and DVD entertainment are among the options.