Introduction

The Nissan Titan gets two noteworthy additions and a host of detail improvements for 2008, delivering more of the truck capability while taking off just enough of the tough-guy truck image to appeal to a broader range of drivers and occupants. New long-bed models have been added, and are longer than most competitors, along with more bed space, payload, and fuel capacity. Inside, the 2008 Nissan Titan sports a thoroughly redesigned interior that is at once more attractive and user-friendly. There's plenty of room for a growing family of five or four big sportsmen off for weekend recreation. Titans range from utilitarian models with crank windows to leather-lined cabs befitting a luxurious sport-utility. Titan's proven and powerful V8 and automatic is the only choice, and it's a stout engine raced at more than twice its street-legal 317 horsepower. Nothing like this gets good gas mileage and if you have no plans to haul stuff around or tow anything, the Titan will be overkill and you should check out a van, or maybe a Pathfinder for those Nissan faithful in need of four-wheel drive. When you do haul and tow, you'll find the features added for such activities very useful and that it's surprisingly capable for a half-ton pickup. In part because of the engine, the Titan leans to the sporty and heavy-user ends of the pickup truck spectrum. Obviously it can be used on a daily basis and perhaps on an overcast day it might just blend in, but the Titan is more outgoing than that and would prefer a home with an adventurous family, busy independent contractor or landscaper, hard-core four wheeler towing a buggy, or on the job site tending to fickle foremen and agitated architects: At least on the weekdays. If you need a full-size pickup with power to perform and plenty of room, the Nissan Titan should be on your shopping list.

Walkaround

The 2008 Nissan Titan's most notable change is the new long-wheelbase variant that provides a bed length of almost 8 feet, 3 inches on King Cabs and 7 feet, 3 inches on Crew Cabs, the biggest box on a half-ton crew cab pickup; those models also have the largest fuel tank at 37 gallons. Subtle changes to the grille, lamps, bumpers and wheels have softened the edges a bit but Titan's in-your-face attitude is still prevalent. The high level of function remains too, and maximum payload has been lifted above 2,000 pounds on certain versions. A tow package (up to 9500 pounds) that includes extendable dual-element mirrors and transmission temperature gauge ranks among the best in half-ton pickups, the locking tailgate is damped and assisted for easy open and close, and available features like the cargo track retention system (bed sides and floor) and storage box in the rear fender ideal for wet tow straps or chains are unmatched in class.

Interior Features

The 2008 Nissan Titan cabin will still serve well for truck duty, but it is now more refined and has less edginess, eliminating one of the few gripes regarding the original Titan. Dash and door panels are easy-to-wipe-off plastic yet no longer give the impression of cost-cutting in materials, and the new instrument layout provides all the same, complete information but has a more coherent sophisticated look to it. On Pro-4X models the gauges are white-faced, and LE models have enough wood-like acreage to fit in a luxury utility. Titans can be equipped with a six-person bench seat interior or with captain's chairs in front for a five-seat capacity. Our Pro-4X had the buckets with heat, power adjustments, and two-position driver memory system to complement the adjustable pedals. The only nuisance in fit is the tilt-and-telescoping steering column adjustment that is spring-loaded and requires you to tilt-and-telescope the wheel with one hand while the other holds the release. You sit high and comfortable, not squeezed but not loosely floating about and visibility is excellent to all corners (and well-behind with the tow mirrors) although some shorter drivers may not like the large base on the windshield pillar. An optional rear-view camera is available and we found it eased trailer hitching. A new center dash section for 2008 handles audio, climate, navigation, and switching duty (tow mode, VDC off, diff lock, etc.) with a slightly more integrated look. It looks better than last year's setup and more easily handles extras like the dual-zone climate control on LE models. All controls are logical and sensibly arranged, although traditional pickup truck buyers who go for six seats will have to adapt to wipers and shifter on the same side of the wheel. With deep bins in the center console and smaller ones along the sides, big door and seatback pockets, and generous cup holders, you'll find a place to put virtually anything. Entry and exit is simple, aided by running boards if you value deportment above ground clearance. Rear doors on King Cabs swing almost 170 degrees for easy access and there's room back there for six-footers on short-to-moderate length trips. Crew Cab rear seats are downright spacious and eclipsed only by the Dodge Ram Mega Cab and Toyota Tundra CrewMax, neither of which offers near the bed capacity of a long-bed Titan. Titan Crew Cabs offer an optional moonroof and DVD rear-seat entertainment system. You won't see any of the noise-reduction materials inside (unless you're under the dash installing a brake controller with the tow-package pigtail) but if you've ever been in a Titan you will notice the 2008 is much quieter and smoother.