With hopes of capturing some of the full-size pickup truck market, Nissan has loaded its Titan with a powerful engine, innovative features, and a spacious cabin.
Offered in extended (King) cab or crew cab models with two or four-wheel drive, the Nissan Titan provides full-size truck buyers with a feature-packed alternative.
Under Titan’s hood resides a powerful and sophisticated 5.6-liter V8 engine. The V8 pumps out 305 horsepower and 379 lb-ft of torque.
Mated to the V8 is an equally impressive smooth-shifting 5-speed automatic transmission. There is no other engine or transmission configuration available in Titan so if you’re looking for more powertrain choices, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Aside from that, there’s much to like. For 4WD models, Titan adapts an advanced shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4H/4LO modes utilizing an electronic control part-time transfer case.
An off-road package is available with lower ratio gearing, switch-on-demand electronically activated locking rear differential, off-road-style performance gas shock absorbers, large all-terrain tires, fog lights and lower radiator, oil pan and transfer case skid plates.
On the road, Titan feels solid and tough, while still delivering a smooth, confident ride. Whether you’re cruising the highway, trudging along in traffic, or hauling a load, Titan is one comfortable vehicle.
Titan’s interior is extremely spacious. With 126 cubic feet, the Titan Crew Cab offers plenty of room for its occupants to stretch out.
Two interior configurations are available: the first, a standard bench seat with column shifter, which seats six passengers; or an optional Captain’s Chair Package with two front bucket seats, which seats five passengers and offers a large center console and gated floor shifter.
I especially liked the Captain’s Chair Package in my Titan Crew Cab tester because of its handy center console, which can hold a variety of beverage containers, including a 1-liter bottle. The storage in the center console offers passengers a variety of storage choices, with size adjusted by simply removing or adding dividers. The console’s storage box can also accommodate hanging file folders and contains holders for maps, paper, pens and business cards on the console lid.
Among the Titan’s many interior features are standard flip-up 60/40 rear seat cushions for added cargo space and flexibility, with grocery hooks on the bottom of the seat cushions.
A favorite feature for traveling with your family is an optional (Crew Cab only) rear-seat DVD Mobile Theatre System with fold-down 7-inch monitor. Audiophiles will likely want to add the available 350-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system.
Titan King Cab models feature a 6.6-ft bed and the bed in Crew Cab models is a foot shorter at 5.6-ft. Interestingly, Titan can be ordered from the factory with a sprayed-on bedliner and innovative bed tie-down system.
Nissan offers an extensive line of bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units, along with bike and kayak racks and other accessories.
The Titan bed also includes four standard stake pockets and, as required for a working pickup, carries 4x8-foot plywood sheets easily between the wheel housings. Titan’s bed includes a standard dampened tailgate assist that aids in the effort to open and close the tailgate.
The 2006 Titan includes a long list of safety equipment, including available front seat side-impact and curtain supplemental air bags that help provide side-impact and rollover protection for outboard passengers.
Titan is an outstanding addition to the full-size pickup truck market. Truck shoppers owe it to themselves to take a serious look at Titan.
2006 Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4X4 SE
Engine 5.6-liter (305 hp) V8
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Fuel Economy 14 city/18 highway
Base Price $31,100
As Tested $37,090 (includes $670 for destination)
Website http://www.nissan-usa.com