2006 Nissan Titan Review
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Overview

The Nissan Titan delivers dazzling performance with a powerful 5.6-liter V8 and responsive five-speed automatic. Its handling is equally responsive, making it among the most enjoyable of the full-size half-ton pickups. Brakes, suspension, drivetrain work together for quick response. This is a serious pickup that pleases the senses.

Titan offers more emotional appeal than some of the other trucks. It was the first truly full-size pickup in nearly 25 years from anyone other than the Big Three, and the first ever from a company whose world headquarters are located outside of North America. (The Titan is significantly larger than the 2006 Toyota Tundra, which is about 7/8-size.)

When designing the Titan, Nissan benchmarked the best pickups and decided to raise the bar. Titan would be big and roomy, and it would not be a shrinking violet in terms of styling or performance. As a result, the Titan excels at roominess. There's lots of headroom up front and the back seats of Crew Cab models offer plenty of legroom. Its V8 engine generates strong torque; and there is no V6 or base motor. Titan can tow up to 9,500 pounds. Four-wheel-drive models boast high ground clearances and generous approach angles.

Clever innovations improve on the traditional pickup. Among them: a factory-applied spray-in bedliner, a C-channel tie-down system for securing cargo and accessories, and a stash box integrated into the driver's-side rear fender for storing a tow hitch or other small items. The rear doors on the King Cab open nearly 180 degrees for quick access. A dampened tailgate assist reduces effort when opening and closing the tailgate. The Crew Cab has a power retractable rear window with privacy glass and an electric defroster.

There are no major changes for 2006, only adjustments to standard and optional equipment lists.

Designed in California, the Titan is built near Jackson, Mississippi, and its high-tech V8 is built near Nashville, Tennessee.

Model Lineup

The Nissan Titan is available in two body styles: an extended King Cab with auxiliary rear doors and a 6-foot, 7-inch bed; and a Crew Cab with a larger cabin, four conventional doors and a 5-foot, 7-inch bed. All Titans are powered by Nissan's 5.6-liter V8 and five-speed automatic. All models are available in 2WD and 4WD. All are offered with flexible-fuel engines (FFV) for no additional cost.

Three trim levels are available: XE, SE, and LE. All come with a high level of standard equipment including a tire-pressure monitor, cruise control, tilt steering and a CD stereo.

The XE 2WD King Cab ($23,250) comes with wind-up windows, manual door locks, cloth upholstery, a split front bench seat that has a fold-down armrest storage bin, a split pop-up rear seat, and 17-inch steel wheels.

The SE King Cab ($25,400) adds captain's chairs with a better grade of cloth, 18-inch aluminum wheels, power everything, and host of other features, including an audio package that can play MP3-formatted CDs. A Popular Package for the SE adds many of the LE's luxury features, but not its leather upholstery, and is available with the Rockford-Fosgate stereo ($1,750).

King Cab LE ($30,200) gets leather seats in front, Rockford-Fosgate audio, fog lights, power adjustable pedals, tubular running boards and all the trick bed features described above. A DVD-based navigation system ($1,800) is optional.

Crew Cab 2WD models include the XE ($26,100), SE ($27,900), and LE ($32,700). Front bench seats are available as a credit option on SE and LE. Crew Cab 4WD models are available in XE ($29,300), SE ($31,100), and LE ($35,750) trim.

Options include a Utility Bed Package with a clever channel system in the bed for flexible tie-down configurations to fit a wide range of cargo; a lockable storage system in the outside of the bed; tailgate lighting; a power point at the rear; and the factory-applied spray-in bedliner.

An off-road package for 4WD models consists of a unique lower-ratio Dana axle, switch-on-demand electronically activated locking rear differential, Rancho performance gas shock absorbers, large all-terrain tires, fog lights, and skid plates for the radiator, oil pan and transfer case. The Trac Package ($300) adds the locking differential to a 2WD XE or SE.

All models can be equipped with XM Satellite Radio ($350). SE and LE Crew Cabs are available with DVD entertainment ($1450); LE Crew Cabs can be ordered with a sunroof ($900).

The Texas Titan package ($2,500), new for 2006, includes 18-inch chrome wheels, chrome step rails, fog lamps, factory spray-on bed liner, special finish dash accents, floor mats with the Texas Star, and a Texas Titan badge.

Safety features include optional front-seat side-impact air bags for torso protection and curtain air bags for head protection ($850). Standard safety features on the 2006 Titan include dual-stage front air bags with seat belt sensors and a front-passenger occupant classification sensor. Titan's front seat belts feature pretensioners and load limiters, adjustable upper anchors; seat belts are your most important line of defense in a crash, so be sure to wear them. In the rear are three-point outboard passenger seat belts and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchor system. Active front head restraints come standard on all models. VDC electronic stability control is available ($1,200), which helps the driver maintain control by reducing or eliminating skidding in corners.