2012 NISSAN TITAN
By Jack Roberts
When the Titan debuted on the American market in 2004, it was already a well-thought out vehicle designed specifically for the rugged U.S. pickup market. Since then, Nissan has kept the basic vehicle look, but fine-tuned the suspension, steering and interior, as well as adding additional storage compartments and a host of optional luxury items. The result is a 2012 Titan that retains its brawny exterior appearance, but is pleasantly quiet and refined to drive.
A car dashboard it’s not: the Titan has a purpose-built interior.Despite its apparent bulk, I was surprised to find the Titan nimble to drive. Nissan engineers have done a fine job tuning the steering and suspension on this truck. With a robust 317-horsepower gasoline engine, the overall impression is a high-performance pickup truck with plenty of on-demand power that requires only a light touch from the driver on the highway. There’s always a trade-off for high-performance, however. And the Titan only turns in around 12 to 13 miles per gallon in city driving conditions. Those figures improve to around 17 mpg on the highway, and the truck’s onboard computer showed me logging close to 19 mpg at times. Still, give this truck a healthy touch of throttle and you’d better hang on: Nissan clearly takes its reputation as a performance car manufacturer seriously and that translates to its truck line as well.
To my mind, some interiors on import trucks feel as if the manufacturer simply scaled-up the dashboard and controls from their most popular car lines and threw them in their trucks. But the Titan impresses with its luxurious, purpose-built interior. Plush leather seats and a roomy front-and-rear cab provide plenty of room for four adults. The ride and sound-dampening qualities are first rate and the impressive slate of vehicle controls are ergonomically situated for precise, easy reach by the driver. Views from the driver seat are outstanding to all quarters.
The 2012 Titan will retail for around $30,000 and be offered with an all-new sport appearance package this year. The package includes 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a darkened grille, body-colored front and rear bumpers, captain’s chairs and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. EW
For another take on the Nissan 2012 Titan, check out ProPickup, polybagged with this issue of Equipment World.
BRIEFS
Register to win a new 2012 Ford F-150 4×4 Lariat at Performance Friction’s Website:performancefriction.com through March 31.
Yokohama Tire increased prices by up to 8 percent on all commercial truck tires in the United States, effective Feb. 1.
Dana and Eaton jointly announced in December that the marketing relationship between the two companies will end by the middle of 2012. Eaton will continue to provide field services and support for all Eaton and Dana products through the middle of 2012 under the Roadranger brand, after which Dana will have the support systems in place to effectively service and support its customers independently. The joint marketing arrangement under the Roadranger brand was launched almost 14 years ago. Throughout the transition, customers can access www.roadranger.com/alliance or www.dana.com for updates.
