2011 Nissan Titan ReviewSee all 2011 Nissan Titan's for sale |
6.8 out of 10 |
The Basics:
The Nissan Titan stands out from the crowd with styling that avoids the near-identical cues used by most other major truckmakers, paired with a strong V-8 engine. For 2011, that remains the same, with a few minor updates to trim lines and options packages. Aimed more at casual or recreational pickup users than the work-vehicle crowd, the Titan packs a handful of innovative features, and just a single engine choice.
The bold exterior styling of the Titan has proved it has long legs, running forward largely unchanged from its debut in 2004. Not everyone will love Nissan's take on the full-size truck, however.
While it doesn't boast the wide range of engine options found in many competitive lines, the 5.6-liter V-8 engine in the Titan offers plenty of pulling and hauling power, and matches well with the five-speed automatic transmission. Handling is especially good for a truck this size, and the PRO-4X version makes more serious off-road action possible.
The interior of the Titan hasn't aged as well as its exterior, with low-end materials and appearances dominating. Comfort and space are good, however, and overall build quality is generally solid.
Most pickups fare better in frontal than side-impact protection, and the Titan is no different. A strong selection of standard and available safety equipment makes the Titan about as safe as any other truck in its class.
Option packages and trim levels are the main point of differentiation for the single-powertrain Titan range, and the differences between the four models and several option packages are noticeable. Advanced technology isn't a forte, but Bluetooth phone connectivity, a DVD entertainment system, and XM Satellite Radio keep it in the 21st Century.
Fuel efficiency has never been a strong suit of full-size trucks, and with no choice but the one V-8 engine, the Titan is a truck for those that need the capability to haul and tow, not for those that want an efficient but roomy city truck.
Likes:
- Power and acceleration
- Cargo-friendly features
- Comfortable cabin and ride quality
Dislikes:
- Road and engine noise
- Fuel economy
- Lacks a lower-priced V-6 model
Reason Why:
Overall, the 2011 Nissan Titan offers fewer powertrain and equipment combinations than other leading full-size pickups. Although with a V-8 and some cargo-friendly features like the lockable cargo box, the Titan is appealing for personal use, but it's not a favorite of fleets and hard-hat wearers. If you like what the Nissan has, then this doesn't matter. The Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado are the two with the largest number of variations for every sort of use. The Ford has an excellent interior, especially for those who work out of their trucks, while the Chevy has excellent ride and handling attributes, plus good fuel economy. And just redesigned this past year, the Dodge Ram has much-improved ride and handling. Yet another option is the Toyota Tundra, which has perhaps the toughest, most imposing styling in the group, plus a very stylish cabin.
The Bottom Line:
The 2011 Nissan Titan performs well and has a comfortable interior, but its appeal is more limited than the full-line full-size trucks from the Big Three and Toyota.
This 2011 Nissan Titan Review originally appeared at TheCarConnection.com where you can see more photos and news on the Nissan Titan
All of our reviews come from experts at TheCarConnection.com.
