2011 Nissan Titan Review

For 2011, the Nissan Titan receives some minor options package changes and renamed trim levels. The Titan SV replaces the SE model, while the previous LE model is renamed SL. Beyond that, the Titan continues essentially unchanged.

The 2011 Nissan Titan is a good truck, but it's getting long in the tooth. Other full-size trucks outdo the Titan in just about every area.

Not so long ago, Americans doubted whether a Japanese automaker could deliver a serious full-size pickup truck. But with its debut of the full-size Titan, Nissan bet that a truck with a big engine, big cab and big towing capacity would win over skeptical half-ton-truck buyers. The Titan proved Nissan right, as it garnered positive sales and acclaim; we even ranked it first in a comparison test upon its debut.

But now representing the truck's eighth model year with no major changes, the 2011 Nissan Titan has fallen behind the competition. The Detroit Three and Toyota have all introduced redesigned trucks in the past few years that outpace the Titan in power, capability, features and comfort. These trucks also offer more choices in terms of body styles and powertrains.

Thanks to its slow evolutionary march, the Titan remains a good truck. It'll do just about anything you ask of it, as witnessed by its respectable 9,500-pound maximum towing capacity, spacious cabin and versatile cargo options. But considering that other competing trucks are better in just about every regard, we'd recommend going with the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, 2011 Ram 1500, 2011 Ford F-150 or 2011 Toyota Tundra before settling on the Titan.

The 2011 Nissan Titan is available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with only one powertrain combination: a 5.6-liter V8 joined to a five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 is rated at 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. Properly equipped, the Titan extended cab is rated to pull up to 9,500 pounds while the crew cab is rated at just 100 pounds less. The transmission features a tow-haul mode for handling heavy loads.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the Titan 4X4 is 12 mpg city/17 mpg highway and 14 mpg combined. The 2WD Titan rates 1 mpg better across the board.

Standard on all Titans are antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

The 2011 Nissan Titan has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedure. Its 2010 rating (which isn't comparable to 2011 ratings) was a perfect five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for passenger protection. The Titan earned a "Good" rating (the highest possible) in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash testing; however, it scored only a Marginal rating (second worst of four) in that agency's side-impact test.

The 2011 Nissan Titan's precise steering is nicely weighted, which makes the truck relatively nimble and easy to drive on pavement. However, the rather stiff suspension (especially on Pro-4X models) can make the Titan feel skittish in off-road situations. The Titan's tractable 5.6-liter V8 delivers plenty of muscle right from idle. It sounds great too, but that booming exhaust note can grow tiresome on long drives.

Both King Cab and Crew Cab Titans feature a spacious and functional interior design, with easy-to-use controls and numerous storage bins. Materials quality is only average, however, with hard plastics covering most surfaces. The rear seats fold up to provide a large load floor for hauling items inside the cab, and the rear doors on king cab models open nearly 180 degrees for easier access. With standard and optional features like a durable spray-on bedliner, movable tie-down cleats, handy tailgate illumination and a driver-side lockbox, the Titan can be quite the hard-working truck.