Used 2015 Nissan Titan Crew Cab

The Nissan Titan was a competitive truck when it was introduced…way back in 2004. Since then, the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado were redesigned twice, and the Ram 1500 was redesigned once. Meanwhile, the Titan has soldiered on with just a few tweaks. There are some definite pros to the con of its age. For example, it comes standard with Nissan’s 5.6-liter V8, a powerful (but thirsty) engine that offers very good hauling and towing numbers. It also comes with some clever storage management, including lockable bedside storage compartments, and a cargo area tie-down system for your goods and equipment called Utili-track. Still, unless you’re deeply in love with the aggressive front end styling, the Nissan Titan gives up a lot to the Silverado, F-150, and Ram 1500.

The 2015 Nissan Titan offers up good acceleration and V8 muscle, despite being the second-least-powerful full-size V8 truck available (the Toyota Tundra’s 4.6-liter V8 offers seven fewer horsepower). Unfortunately, fuel economy lags all others, so lay off the full-throttle acceleration. Part of the blame lies with the 5-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth enough, and offers a tow/haul mode, but the lack of gears hurts fuel economy, and reminds you why the industry has moved to 6-speeds and beyond – Ram and Chevy offer 8-speed automatics, and Ford is working on a 10-speed. Still, when properly equipped, the Nissan Titan is capable of towing a stout 9,500 pounds, and we like the gated shift lever that’s on the center console in models with front captain’s chairs. The steering is pretty good, especially among trucks, ride quality is better than you’d think, and the cabin’s commendably quiet at all speeds.

The Nissan Titan’s interior spans the range from simple work truck to premium, although never quite luxurious. Available only in King Cab or Crew Cab models, even a base Titan S can seat up to six on its cloth seats. SV and PRO-4X models substitute captain’s chairs for the front bench seat, reducing passenger capacity, but increasing comfort. Other features include a fold-up rear bench that creates more interior cargo room, and a fold-flat passenger-side front seat to create a mobile workstation. The Titan’s lack of a telescoping steering wheel (it tilts) is partially compensated for with optional power-adjustable pedals.

The Nissan Titan doesn’t offer the wide array of cab and bed configurations you’ll find in its competitors. There’s no standard cab, for example, and only the larger Crew Cab is available in a long-wheelbase model to accommodate a longer cargo bed. The styling is well-known by now: an overall blocky look coupled with a huge chrome grille that was once in-your-face, but is now tame compared to the grilles on modern domestic trucks. Clever touches include an available 120-volt AC outlet, recessed lights, the optional Utili-Track cargo-bed system, and a lockable compartment behind the left rear wheel.

WIDE-SWINGING REAR DOOR
The rear door of Titan’s King Cab model swings out 168 degrees, making it much easier for rear-seat passengers to enter and exit. And when the rear bench seat isn’t holding passengers, it folds up to create additional interior cargo space.

UTILI-TRACK CARGO MANAGEMENT
This available feature endows the Titan’s truck bed with two rails and four cleats to help lock cargo in place. It’s a great system to have when you need to tie down and haul uneven loads, and it gives the Titan an edge versus competing trucks.

The basic (and we mean basic here) 2-wheel-drive (2WD) 2015 Nissan Titan S King Cab comes with air conditioning, cloth seating, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, a lockable tailgate, and a fold-up rear bench seat. It also comes with washable vinyl floors, manual windows (remember those?), and manually adjusted mirrors. Unlike most vehicles these days, it lacks Bluetooth and cruise control. They’re available, of course, either at higher trim levels or as part of an option package. Either way, if you want to feel like you’re driving a modern truck, you’ll have to spend more than the base model’s $30,000.

Higher trim levels get more standard equipment, as is usually the case, with SV trims adding more complete gauges, power windows and mirrors, and nicer interior trim. SL models (Crew Cab only) add leather upholstery, and along with PRO-4X gets an 8-way power driver’s side seat. Other available features include captain’s chairs in place of the front bench seat, Nissan Connect infotainment and connectivity, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, Bluetooth, a USB input, and a navigation system. Available on the outside, there’s Nissan’s Utili-Track cargo-bed tie-down system, a spray-on bedliner, and Nissan’s lockable bedside storage compartments.

With only one engine choice, picking your 2015 Nissan Titan’s powertrain is easy. The 5.6-liter V8 engine’s 317 horsepower lags most competitors, but its 385 lb-ft of torque is very competitive and part of what makes the Titan still feel strong off the line. Whether you choose rear-wheel drive or the 4-wheel drive (4WD) with its low-range transfer case, you’ll be sending that power through a 5-speed automatic transmission. Able to tow up to 9,500 pounds, the engine can also be had with the ability to run on a blend up of up to 85 percent ethanol (E85). Unfortunately, older technology and fewer gears conspire to give the 2015 Nissan Titan the worst V8 fuel economy in its class.

5.6-liter V8
317 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg (2WD, gasoline), 12/17 mpg (4WD, gasoline), 9/13 mpg (2WD, E85), 9/12 mpg (4WD, E85)