The Titan has undergone only minor updates in preparation for the release of an all-new 2016 model introduced at the Detroit auto show. The biggest change this year is the deletion of the long-wheelbase chassis, which means the Crew Cab can only be paired with the short bed.

The Titan is available with two body styles:

• King Cab is what most buyers would call an extended cab, as it has rear-hinged back doors that give access to small rear seats. It features a 6-foot-7-inch bed.
• Crew Cab features four full-size doors and extra legroom for the folks in the rear seat. Its 5-foot-7-inch bed length is your only option this year. All top-spec SLs are Crew Cabs.

Most buyers will next choose between rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. Opting for the latter adds $2,850 to the pickup's MSRP, so it’s certainly worth skipping if you don’t need it.

In the engine department, the Titan is limited to only one. It's a tried-and-true, but rather dated, 5.6-liter V8 that delivers 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. Expect combined fuel economy of 15 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 14 mpg with four-wheel drive. Towing capacity maxes out at 9,500 pounds when properly configured.

Nissan offers just four trim levels for the Titan, making your decision process fairly simple. It does, however, offer a handful of optional packages for the various trims, to allow for further customization to your needs:

SV

The SV trim is a little more upscale, tuned more for buyers who want a truck that easily transitions from work to play. At starting prices from $31,940 to $36,990, the SV includes extras like 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome bumpers, a front overhead console, tailgate assist for easy opening and closing, MP3 audio capabilities, remote keyless entry, and cruise control with steering wheel-mounted control. The SV trim levels also opens the door to three packages:

• The $2,460 SV Value Package adds a slew of luxury features, like cloth captain’s seats with a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped floor shifter and steering wheel, a rearview camera, fog lights, 20-inch wheels, Rockford Fosgate premium audio, and a hitch receiver with seven-pin wiring and a brake jumper.
• The SV Utility Package adds the Utili-track Bed Channel System with four cleats for more flexible cargo tying, tailgate-area illumination, a 120-volt power outlet, and a spray-in bed liner for an extra $1,090.
• The SV Premium Utility Package runs $1,900 and includes all of the SV Utility features, plus a HomeLink universal transmitter, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a lower final gear ratio for highway cruising, a front tow hook on two-wheel-drive models, and heated tow mirrors.

PRO-4X

The PRO-4X model is almost a standalone model built for younger crowds and off-road enthusiasts. It features a good bit of exclusive items, like white gauge faces, embroidered “PRO-4X” logos on the seats, and white stitching. Other standard features include NissanConnect with Mobile Apps, a 5-inch color display, and Bluetooth for hands-free phone and audio streaming. The PRO-4X trim also opens the Titan up to four packages:

• The PRO-4X Premium Utility Package adds navigation with a 5.8-inch screen, enhanced voice recognition, the Rockford Fosgate premium audio system, an extended overhead console, HomeLink, power-adjustable pedals, the Utili-track Bed Channel System, and more for $1,900.
• The PRO-4X Luxury Package runs $2,230 and comes with premium features like heated leather seats, a power driver’s seat with memory, and an in-cabin microfilter.
• The PRO-4X Moonroof Package, which is only available on the Crew Cab, adds a moonroof for an extra $850.
• The PRO-4X DVD Package runs $1,000, and features a DVD player with a flip-down 8-inch LCD display and wireless headsets.

In King Cab Format, the PRO-4X runs $38,170, while the Crew Cab runs $40,370. The PRO-4X is available only with four-wheel drive.

SL

The range-topping SL comes exclusively in the Crew Cab format. It features premium standard equipment like six-spoke 20-inch wheels, leather seating, a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, dual-zone auto climate control, NissanConnect, a 5.8-inch touchscreen, power-folding mirrors, and more. The SL trim also has the Moonroof and DVD packages for $850 and $1,000, respectively, plus one additional exclusive package:

• The Max Utility Package adds just $300 to the MSRP, and it includes a lower final drive gear for calmer highway cruising, front tow hooks on two-wheel-drive models, and extending mirrors.

The 2015 Titan SL bases from $41,160 with two-wheel drive and from $43,860 with four-wheel drive.

CarsDirect Tip

Unless you really need leather, skip the SL trim and dive right into the SV trim with the SV Value and SV Premium Utility packages. This will net you the best bang for your buck.

Choose your Nissan Titan »