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2015 Nissan TITAN
Nissan provided extended and crew cab models with cutting-edge technologies and spacious cabins, including a rear sonar warning system, XM satellite radio, traction control, and GPS. The first-generation Titan's sales peaked in 2010 when the company sold over 23,400 vehicles.
The Nissan Titan hasn't changed much since it was introduced years ago. Nissan sold 23,426 Titans in 2010, up from 19,042 in 2009 but far less than the 34,053 shipped in 2008. The Titan's SE and LE badges have been replaced by SV and SL badges for 2015, offering four trim levels to choose from (S, SV, Pro-4X, SL).
Styling
The long-wheelbase Titan has changed its interior door panels. Apart from that, the Titan looks exactly the same now as it did eleven years ago. Even so, it's still an attractive truck – at least on the outside – though many drivers are now starting to wonder whether Nissan's design team has simply forgotten about it.
The Titan's age is more visible on the inside and strikes an off-key note with its dull and plastic material and an old-school design like one from a decade ago. But there's nothing wrong with it in terms of functionality; rival models have come a long way in a short amount of time, with unique truck interiors, soft-touch materials, and fine detailing.
It's aggressive and overdone on the outside, but not to the point of being cartoonish, like the Toyota Tundra is. The aggressive, upright style is framed by a lot of chrome, and the updated wheels provide a bit extra zip to the design. Last year, the Titan received a new, more aerodynamic rear design, and the PRO-4X model also received some aesthetic changes.
Performance
Although Nissan's massive V-8 sounds intimidating, the Titan's performance has fallen well below that of the greatest full-size trucks. The single-engine option for the 2015 Nissan Titan is a 5.6-liter V-8, which makes it one of the best-sounding trucks we've ever heard.
The Titan's towing capacity is impressive—up to 9,500 pounds with the King Cab and 9,400 pounds with the Crew Cab—though it trails the Silverado/top Sierra's towing rating of 12,000 pounds in this age of heavier trucks.
Despite its size and mass, the Titan handles well (at least in comparison to other large trucks) and feels smaller than it is, with good low-speed agility. The sound is reminiscent of the NASCAR circuit, which suits this Mississippi-built machine perfectly. The V-8 generates 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, which aren't class-leading numbers, but the Titan always feels ready to get up and go.
The PRO-4X versions are only available with four-wheel drive, whereas the rest of the lineup is available in both rear- or four-wheel drives. Keep in mind that the PRO-4X's suspension setup is extremely firm, to the point of being twitchy on some surfaces. The capability is there, though, thanks to ten inches of ground clearance and numerous enhancements, such as skid plates.
Quality & Comfort
The 2015 Titan's main flaw is its plastic-like cabin, which isn't as good as those in a GMC or Ram despite having almost as much size. The Titan doesn't have as many mechanical and drive train options as its competitors, but it does have a wide range of comfort features available between its King and Crew Cab platforms.
King Cab variants include a condensed cabin with a bench or a pair of front bucket seats, as well as some rear-hinged doors that lead to a stubby section with a pair of jump seats. We favor the four-door Crew Cabs, which have broad, well-positioned seats that appear to be a little more difficult to get into than some of the competitors.
As with most full-size vehicles, seating arrangements vary. For example, base versions have a vinyl floor and a split-bench seat, whereas top-end and mid-range trims have captain's chairs, leather upholstery, and plush carpeting, as well as a center console. Overall, we found it simple to get into a comfortable driving posture in the 2015 Titan, thanks to the power-adjustable pedals that come standard on higher versions, albeit the seats aren't very supportive.
The Titan's true flaw is its inside materials, which often fall short of expectations—especially when rival models from Ford and Ram seem to grow better every year. The dismal colors and textures don't help matters either. On the plus side, wind and road noise are mainly kept out of the cabin; however, some drivers complained that the engine noise is overly loud and in the foreground. You may appreciate the strong notes at first, but after spending a few hours on the highway, your perspective might change.
A factory-applied spray-in bed liner and lockable storage compartments integrated into the bed fenders are available on the Titan. These capabilities, along with a channel-based cargo-cleat system, make the Titan superior to the competition.
Safety
The 2015 Titan's crash test results have been good but not too great or impressive. When it comes to safety, the 2015 Nissan Titan falls short of its competitors in terms of available safety features and crash test ratings.
The Titan has the lowest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings among other full-size trucks. Although it has a 'good' rating for frontal impact, it falls short in side and rear impact and receives an 'adequate' grade for roof strength—which is especially significant in rollover-prone pickups. It received four- and five-star ratings under the former (and far more lenient) NHTSA rating system, but it hasn't been rated under the new system.
The Titan's safety features aren't particularly noteworthy when compared to other full-size trucks, but most of the current lineup has a rearview camera system, which is either standard or optional.
Features
The Titan finally has some tech features, but it's no F-150 or 1500 Ram. The Titan is available in four trim levels: S, SV, PRO-4X, and SL. The basic S and SV Titan trucks are targeted toward budget-conscious consumers who are looking for sturdy interiors. On the other hand, the SL is aimed at the affluent audience.
The PRO-4X comes with a unique combination of features designed specifically for trailblazers of all kinds, including a storage box and a locking tailgate, Rancho shocks, off-road tires, and tow hooks.
Base A standard CD player and air conditioning are included in Titan S pickups. The floor is vinyl, but the front seat is a split fabric bench, and the rear seat is a 60/40-split flip-up. Improved sound, map lighting, an overhead console, keyless entry, additional instruments, carpeting, a removable locking tailgate, chrome exterior detailing, and alloy wheels are all available on Titan SV variants.
Rear parking sensors, power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth, lockable bedside storage box, cargo-area lamp, sliding rear view window, Rancho shocks, receiver hitch, skid plates, tow hooks, and a variety of interior trim changes are all included with the PRO-4X.
A Rockford Fosgate audio system with a subwoofer, towing mirrors, bed area lighting, Utili-Track cargo, spray-on bed liner, and power-adjustable pedals are all included in the Premium Utility package, which adds a slew of load-centric and towing features to the PRO-4X.
Once inside, you'll find a clean, functional area with plenty of storage and elbow room. The gray and black material isn't particularly attractive, but it's tough and easy to clean.
The storage nets and bins positioned beneath the rear bench seats were particularly appealing to us. They can come in handy while transporting small items and loose goods. The same can be true for our power tools, which were kept in locked, double-sealed nightstand storage boxes.
Overall, the Titan is a capable full-size truck with plenty of performance and comfort to offer. Seven years without a substantial refresh or next-generation model is an eternity in today's automobile market. The Titan's aggressive external appearance has remained essentially unchanged since its debut in 2004. However, Nissan's take on the full-size truck is not for everyone.
The Nissan Titan stands out from the crowd. The Titan has a couple of unique features but only one engine option and is aimed more at casual or recreational pickup users than the work-vehicle audience. The Titan, like other pickups, does better in frontal than side-impact protection. Thanks to a wide range of standard and optional safety features it's nearly as safe as any other vehicle in its class.
The main point of differentiation is the option packages and trim levels, and the differences between the four models and various option packages are significant. Although advanced technology is not a strong suit, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a DVD entertainment system, and XM Satellite Radio are good enough.
Economy of Fuel
The Titan has some of the lowest fuel economy ratings. The 2015 Nissan Titan's fuel economy statistics are severely harmed by the lack of a V-6 engine option. According to the EPA, the four-wheel-drive vehicle gets only 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway, while the rear-drive truck gets 13/18 mpg. We've seen mileage statistics around the low end of the EPA spectrum in real-world driving.
Which Year Has the Least Issues?
First and foremost, we believe it is always a good idea to provide a summary of the number of issues that each model year has. The reason for this is because it provides a brief idea to potential buyers about the model years to avoid. However, we must keep in mind that this study is less applicable to model years 2-3 years old because they haven't been on the road as long.
Overall, the Nissan Titan appears to be a very reliable vehicle in general and is quite popular among buyers, especially since no problems have been documented with any of the models made after 2014. We were unsure if this information was accurate at first, but we couldn't uncover any complaints of the Titan so far. Of course, this is a positive indicator in general.
However, we must state that models produced prior to 2014 have a number of flaws. Despite the fact that there aren't many, some of them have concerns that you should be aware of.
If you're thinking about buying a used car, it's a good idea to look into its history beforehand. You'll know if the car has any issues, has been in any accidents, or has been involved in any criminal activity.
What Can You Expect To Pay For A Used Nissan Titan?
Now that we know which Nissan Titan model years are the greatest, it's time to talk about what we can expect if we acquire a 2011 or 2015 Titan used. A 2015 Titan model year would be 6-7 years old at the time of writing. We can see that a 7-year-old Titan has depreciated by roughly 50%.
Let's say a 7-year-old Titan has 85,000 miles on it. Because the Titan is a full-size vehicle, we anticipate putting 250,000 miles on it before it breaks down. This means you can get a Titan for half the price and still have 165,000 miles on it. Furthermore, we now know that the 2015 models have a small number of issues that increase the car's chances of lasting a long time.
If 50% depreciation isn't enough for you, a 2011 model year, which would be 10–11 years old at the time, is your best choice. This would imply 62 percent depreciation and 120,000 miles. As a result, you have 80,778 miles left on the automobile at 38% of the price. As we've seen, the 2011 model year appears to be the most reliable, but be aware that you'll be driving a car that will be regarded as very old in ten years.
The rest of the first generation of Titans had very few problems during the next few years. Since the second generation's release, there haven't been many issues with any model year, but if you're not looking to get the 2015 mode, then the 2017, 2019, and 2020 vehicles are your best choices.
About The Author
Charles Redding
I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.
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