Used 2019 Nissan TITAN

The 2019 Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup with plenty of muscle for tackling big jobs. Available in Single Cab, King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, the Titan is a bit more flexible than the Toyota Tundra when it comes to cab size, although it offers only one engine choice: a potent 390-horsepower V8. Place the Titan against its domestic competition, however, and things get a bit more complicated. It’s not that the Titan isn’t a good truck, but the Ford F-150, all-new Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 offer so much more in the way of features, configurations and engines, including a diesel option. One thing in the Titan’s favor is the impressively long 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. (The Titan XD is reviewed separately.)

Standard on every 2019 Nissan Titan pickup is a 390-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 that is both powerful and smooth. On the road, the big Titan cruises effortlessly, although it does consume a fair amount of fuel when doing so. The Titan’s cabin is well-insulated from outside noise and the entire interior has an upscale vibe we found quite pleasing. The Titan’s 7-speed automatic isn’t as advanced as some competitors, but it does a good job of finding the right gear for the right situation. The Titan’s ride is expectedly truck-like, and while it wasn’t uncomfortable or unstable, the overall handling, steering effort and maneuverability can’t compare to its domestic competition, most notably the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. The Titan’s bed can be updated to include the popular Utili-track Bed Channel System, a spray-in bedliner, LED bed-rail lighting and, on the Platinum Reserve Crew Cab, lockable in-bed storage boxes.

The interiors for the Single Cab, King Cab and Crew Cab are similar in design, but vary in their passenger accommodations. Lower trims can seat up to six passengers thanks to a 40/20/40-split front bench, but most buyers will opt for a pair of front bucket seats, lowering total capacity to five. Interior materials and amenities range from a cloth-and-vinyl basic work truck to the plushness of a luxury car. The top-line Platinum Reserve Titan features supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats and open-pore wood finishes. The 60/40-split rear seats can be flipped up to create a secure, wide and tall space in the rear of the cab.

As full-size pickups go, the 2019 Nissan Titan presents a big, bold image without going overboard in the areas of grille size, chrome embellishments and body cladding. At 228.1 inches long, the Titan is more than a foot shorter than the larger Titan XD, but it still offers plenty of cargo room when equipped with an 8-foot bed. Bed lengths are limited by cab size, so if you want a 6.5-foot bed, for example, you’ll have to go with the King Cab. Want a Crew Cab? You’ll be stuck with a diminutive 5.5-foot bed. Nissan’s Rear Door Alert is now standard on King Cab and Crew Cab models. The system will alert the driver to check for items, pets or children placed in the back seat prior to the truck being started.

DAMPED TAILGATE
Standard on every Titan pickup, the damped rear tailgate negates the possibility of the tailgate slamming down when being opened. The same system assists in raising the tailgate as it approaches the closed position.

WARRANTY
Truck repairs can be costly and, given the tough punishment many owners impart on their truck, not uncommon in the early years of ownership. For this reason, Nissan covers the Titan for five years or 100,000 miles, a benefit that should prove most enticing to those who quickly rack up miles or manage a fleet.

The 2019 Nissan Titan half-ton truck is available in five trims: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. The least expensive S version is pretty basic but does include cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, manual-sliding rear window and a 6-speaker audio system with 7-inch display with Bluetooth, Sirius, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity plus a USB input. Most buyers would do well to step up a trim or two. SV versions provide the option for front bucket seats, which also allow for height adjustment. They also include trailer-sway control, power-adjust mirrors, upgraded cloth interior and chrome accents.

Keep moving up trims and you can get a leather interior, climate-controlled front seats, safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, upgraded infotainment system with navigation, Fender premium audio system, sonar-based front and rear parking assist, and the helpful AroundView bird’s-eye-camera system. Off-road enthusiasts might dig the PRO-4X model that includes Bilstein shocks, all-terrain off-road tires, electronic locking rear differential and skidplates. Midnight Editions gain 20-inch black wheels, charcoal interior and various body-color and black-finished trim pieces.

The 2019 Nissan Titan offers just one engine — a stout 5.6-liter gasoline V8. This big V8 is connected to a 7-speed automatic transmission and can be had in standard 2-(rear)-wheel drive (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). The engine makes a hearty 390 horsepower, but beware of its thirst. The Titan 4×2 Single Cab is rated to tow up to 9,660 pounds, while 4-wheel-drive versions max out at 9,540 pounds. Crew Cab models tow slightly less, rated at 9,380 and 9,240 pounds, respectively.

5.6-liter V8
390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
394 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg (2WD & 4WD), 15/20 mpg (PRO-4X)