It’s no secret that Ford, Chevy and Dodge pretty much have the truck market on lockdown and leave little room for any of the other automakers. However, Nissan is making a move to gain a foothold in the US truck market with the introduction of the new 2016 Nissan Titan, which was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is can the Titan compete?
When the Titan was introduced in 2003 it was met with great excitement and lots of fanfare. The truck had class leading performance and was readily adopted by truck enthusiasts looking to personalize these trucks with their own unique styles. Unfortunately, nothing has really changed on the trucks since their original unveiling. In 2007 the engines received a small tweak to increase power and efficiency via variable valve timing. In 2008 the front end was “updated” with a new front bumper and grille. Other than that it’s pretty hard to tell a 2004 apart from a 2014, both from the outside and on the interior. The 2016 looks to have completely broken the mold of its predecessor and seems to be much more competitive with current production full size trucks. In some areas, the new Titan is even eclipsing its competitors.
How the 2016 Nissan Titan Stacks Against the Competition
| 2016 Nissan Titan | 2015 Ford F150 | 2015 Chevy Silverado | 2015 Ram | |
| Engine | Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel V8 | 3.5L V6 EcoBoost® engine | EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 FlexFuel (L83) | 5.7-LITER HEMI® 16-VALVE V-8 |
| Horsepower | 310 horsepower @ 3,200 rpm | 365 hp @ 5000 rpm | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | 395 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 555 lbs.-ft. @ 1,600 rpm | 420 lbs.-ft. @ 2500 rpm | 383 lbs.-ft. @ 4100 rpm | 410 lb.-ft. @ 3,950 rpm |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 2,000 lbs.+ | 2,020 lbs. | 1980 lbs. | 1710 lbs. |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | 12,000 lbs.+ | 10,700 lbs. | 9,800 lbs. | 10,340 lbs. |
American Made Truck
Although Nissan is a Japanese auto manufacturer, for all intents and purposes the new Nissan Titan will be an American made truck. It is designed specifically for American truck buyers with the core planning, design, engineering and assembly taking place in the US. As the Nissan website says, “American Titan – Designed in California, Engineered in Michigan, Tested in Arizona, Built in Mississippi, Powered by Indiana and Tennessee.” Without being an US based company, you can’t get much more American than that.
We had the pleasure of touring the Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant a few years ago and we were blown away by the attention to detail taken on each vehicle. Not only the detail of the assembly line workers, but the overall quality. NISSAN has multiple check points through their assembly process and if a vehicle does not meet necessary quality standards, it is removed from the line and sent to appropriate parts of the facility for correction. We actually witnessed entire trucks being re-worked in the paint correction facilities as they had not been approved for the next step. It was very impressive to say the least!
Big Power
With 310 HP and 555 lb/ft of torque, the 2016 Nissan Titan Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel engine is a beast, especially when paired with the new Titan’s half-ton pickup design. Not only does the Cummins turbo diesel engine provide drivers with significant power, but it also has a two stage design, so you won’t have to worry about turbo lag and can enjoy solid performance across the power band. We are already putting together our plans for an intake, exhaust and other performance parts for the 2016 Titan, we’re sure there is hidden potential there and you can be sure we’re already brainstorming how to squeeze every last drop of power out of this truck!
This Truck Can Tow!
Not only does the Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel engine provide the 2016 Nissan Titan with a lot of power, but it provides a lot of potential – for towing! To utilize the 2016 Titan’s power, the Nissan team engineered a gooseneck hitch right into the frame. For the skeptics out there, Nissan is reporting that the new Titan was able to haul more than 5 tons during initial testing. We can’t wait to put the new Titan to the test hauling Steve Millen’s 75 car to and from the track to see how it performs!
Upgraded Suspension
While few specifics have been released, Nissan has indicated they have made significant improvements to the Titan’s suspension including a reinforced and tuned double wishbone front suspension and a more rigid back suspension with bigger leaf springs and overhauled leaf bushings. Of course, if future owners don’t think this will be enough or just want to level their truck, we happen to know where they can talk to some truck experts for recommendations and pick up some aftermarket parts to upgrade their suspension.
Improved Braking System
With all that power and towing potential, the 2016 Nissan Titan’s braking system is of utmost importance. To compensate for the increased power, the Nissan team beefed up the braking system. However, for those that want even more peace of mind, whether it will be a full on brake kit or just aftermarket rotors and pads, expect a STILLEN solution to be available.
Updated Cosmetics
While we love power and performance, we understand how your truck looks is just as important. Keeping with its counterparts, the 2016 Nissan Titan maintains the same boxy look that is popular with many trucks on the market today. If you want to customize your truck, we’re sure there will be many options for you ranging from aftermarket grilles to nerfbars to bumper kits allowing you to get the look you want.
When Can I Test Drive the 2016 Nissan Titan?
By now, you’re probably wondering when you can get your hands on a 2016 Nissan Titan to try it out for yourself and see how it stacks up against the F150, Silverado and Ram. Nissan has not announced a specific release date, but have indicated that it will be available in late 2015. Until then, keep checking back for more information about the new Titan and as always, feel free to give our experts a call at (866) 250-5542 with any questions you have.
