As a native Texan I’ve been around trucks my entire life. And as is the case with most everything in my home state, trucks are bigger in the Lone Star state. Enter Nissan’s Titan full-sized truck.
Introduced with the 2004 model year, the Nissan Titan has evolved to become one of the most underrated trucks on the market. The example I spent my time in, the PRO-4X, is one of several Nissan vehicles enhanced with an off-road prowess that’ll get you from Point A to Point B, whether it’s to the local grocery store or across the Sonoran Desert.
When I took delivery of Nissan’s Titan PRO-4X it was just prior to a cross-country trip planned to Flagstaff, Arizona from north of Houston with long stretches on pavement and ample opportunities to get off-road in between. Outfitted with a 5.6L DOHC 32-valve V8 and 7-speed automatic tranny, the PRO-4X proved to have plenty of power and a ride quality, even for a truck designed for off-road travel, that was comfortable and quite enjoyable while cruising down the highway. With 390hps and 394 lb-ft torque, the Titan’s V8 powertrain is more than adequate for the driver who desires a versatile platform for work or pleasure.
The PRO-4X features a towing capacity of up to 9,230lbs which I found exceptional for a 4x4 half-ton truck. Payload capacity is 1,610lbs which makes the bed an excellent platform for self-sufficient travel and integration of a Four Wheel Camper, loading it up with a couple motorcycles or quad, or delivering materials to a job site. There’s also a 110v utility power point in the bed along with lockable and removable in-bed storage. When off-road, the truck’s Bilstein suspension does an adequate job of articulating over a variety of terrain while maintaining comfort in the cab. A locking rear differential, selectable with the turn of a knob, properly distributes torque to get out of compromising situations. I found it useful on two occasions while exploring the Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. Additionally, a lower radiator and transfer case skid plate keeps it protected when traveling over boulders, ruts, and other obstacles off-road.
Speaking of the cab, the interior of the truck is qualitatively better than Toyota’s Tundra truck with a quality and intuitive layout only rivaled by Ram and General Motors. The 8-way power adjustable captain’s seat (passenger seat is 4-way power adjustable) allows for ample customization of your seating position with high quality heated leather that makes long stretches easy on your back and bum. I liked the controls on the 7” touch screen display as they were intuitive and easy to use, and the Fender speaker system keeps tunes pumping while cruising down the road or the trail.
In short, Nissan’s Titan PRO-4X is a truck that’s full-sized and fully capable wherever you’re traveling to. The quality of materials, comfort and driveability in a variety of settings, power under the hood, and its towing and payload capacity make this truck a formidable option for not only my fellow Texans but drivers anywhere.
Pricing starts in the mid-$40ks.