NISSAN PASSENGER VAN MICHIGAN DEALERS FULL
NISSAN PASSENGER VAN MICHIGAN DEALERS PLUS

Other logbook entries expressed wonderment at Nissan’s approval of the XD’s uncouth Aisin six-speed automatic.

NISSAN PASSENGER VAN MICHIGAN DEALERS FULL

The DEF monitor in the Titan’s info display also occasionally asked for refills when the tank was nearly full and flashed service alerts that quickly disappeared. With our truck’s laborious duty cycle (DEF consumption is relative to engine load) and the XD’s small, 4.5-gallon DEF tank, the 44 gallons we fed the Nissan over 40,000 miles, at roughly $6 per, came in many small doses. The Wookiee under the hood also had a voracious thirst for diesel exhaust fluid-a urea-based solution injected into the XD’s exhaust system to limit nitrogen-oxide emissions. The Cummins V-8 also sounds less refined in operation than its 32-valve dual-overhead-cam layout would suggest the wavering growl that accompanied the 5.0’s clatter prompted technical director Eric Tingwall to scribble “Chewbacca is my co-pilot” in the Titan’s logbook. But other diesel rigs from Ford, General Motors, and Ram churn out more than 900 pound-feet of torque, with some examples able to bolt to 60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds. Those times improved somewhat, to 8.9 and 17.0 seconds, once the XD had loosened up at 40,000 miles, as did its stopping distance from 70 mph (204 feet down to 197) and meager grip around the skidpad (0.66 g versus 0.71). The diesel XD was lethargic at the test track, plodding to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds after its 6000-mile break-in period and covering the quarter-mile in 17.3 seconds at 82 mph. A recalcitrant tailgate-release handle also plagued the Titan for much of its term, despite the dealer replacing a faulty electronic lock actuator at no charge. Some niggles cropped up, too, including concerns about a numb and heavy helm that continued to groan at low speeds even after we discovered the power-steering system’s fluid was low and topped it off. Early logbook comments noted the stability with which the Titan tugged about three tons of trailer and jalopy, albeit without much haste. “Lacks the power of current HD rigs from major players but is more stable and easier to drive when towing than half-ton offerings from the same.” -Josh Jacquot, Reviews Editorĭespite the modest 310 horsepower from the Cummins turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8, the diesel’s 555 pound-feet of torque pulls the Titan through traffic with determination. And at more than 20 feet long and weighing 7280 pounds, the XD is simply too hulking to effectively tackle off-road terrain. Our Pro-4X’s lack of any assist steps for an as-tested $57,155 truck (Nissan offers cab and box steps separately as accessories) riled its detractors.

NISSAN PASSENGER VAN MICHIGAN DEALERS PLUS

The Titan’s nonfunctional fender vents and grossly overhung snout are offered at no additional charge.Īdding the $3310 Pro-4X Convenience package (heaters for the steering wheel and four of the five seats plus leather hides all around) along with the $1100 Pro-4X Utility and Audio package (a Rockford Fosgate stereo, front and rear parking sensors, and a host of tie-downs in the cargo bed) was a sounder decision than our trim-level choice. (Subtract $5000 for the XD’s livelier 390-hp gas V-8 that Nissan added later in 2016.) Along with bountiful standard equipment-bright LED headlights, a towing package, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert-the off-road-oriented Pro-4X brings a locking rear differential, Bilstein dampers, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and a bevy of underbody skid plates. For the crew-cab-only 2016 model, we settled on the midrange Pro-4X trim with standard four-wheel drive and a six-foot, six-inch cargo box for a fair $52,165. While the XD’s ride is undeniably stiff when empty, its control-arm front suspension and leaf-spring solid rear axle offer a bit more compliance than a full-HD pickup’s. CHARLIE MAGEE, ALEX CONLEY, MICHAEL SIMARI, MAX MORTIMER

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