2022 Nissan Titan – nissanusa.com | Shop 2022 Nissan Titan on Carsforsale.com
Designed, built and sold only in North America, the Nissan Titan has been on sale in the US since 2004 with the second generation kicking off in 2016. A 2020 refresh brought a more powerful V8, slicker-shifting transmission and simplified cab configurations. The Cummins diesel option was also dropped, leaving the 400 hp V8 as the only engine available. Changes over the 2021 model, that we review here, are limited to additional trimming of options like the discontinued SL trim and regular cab configuration with its 8-foot bed.
Platinum Reserve trim is fully loaded
Standard V8 makes plenty of power
Long list of standard driver assistance aids
Relatively weak fuel economy
Wi-Fi hotspot is not standard
Competitors offer larger infotainment screens
Titan would benefit from an all-new generation
Nissan goes the simple approach with the 2022 Titan, offering only a naturally aspirated, 5.6L V8 power plant. It makes a stout 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque that runs through a nine-speed automatic to the rear wheels. Four-wheel-drive is standard on PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve trim and a roughly $3,300 option elsewhere. The dual-range transfer case, to engage 4WD, is operated via dash-mounted shift-on-the-fly rotary dial and a locking rear differential is added on the PRO-4X.
The off-roader of the Titan lineup, PRO-4X trim bumps ground clearance from nine to nearly ten inches, features Bilstein dampers tuned for the trail and additional underbody skid-plate protection. It’s not the kind of wild factory race truck like those found on this list of coolest trucks ever, but the PRO-4X is worthwhile if you spend time in the woods. All 2022 Titans have an independent, double wishbone front suspension with solid axle out back sprung by a multi-leaf system. This offers a blend of planted handling dynamics with the robust utility required of a full-size pickup.
While numbers over 10,000 pounds in the towing department are tossed around by the competition, a 2022 Nissan Titan will tow up to 9,320 pounds, which is plenty for a wide variety of trailering needs. The Titan rides on a fully boxed ladder frame so is plenty strong and a tow-haul mode with downhill speed control lends a hand in the mountains. Power-telescoping tow mirrors are an option as is a trailer light diagnostic tool that works with the intelligent key fob.
Fuel economy is so-so with the RWD Titan offering 16 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway. Toyota’s Tundra, which we compare here, is rated for 18/24 mpg in city/highway driving, as a counterpoint. Nissan does include features like active grille shutters and a front aero spoiler but that big V8 is thirsty. Four-wheel-drive models see the same highway economy but the city figure drops to 15.
Two body configurations are offered on the 2022 Titan. King cabs have half-sized rear doors with – technically – room for three adults in the back but the 25-inches of legroom means it’s better suited for cargo. It does offer a 78-inch bed, however, making it the style of choice for workers and weekend warriors. Crew cab setup has four full size doors and 38-inches of back seat legroom, but a 2022 Ford F-150 boasts a maximum 44-inches of back seat legroom, a review of which you can read here.
Unless you pony up for a package, only the Titan Platinum Reserve has leather upholstery and it looks great with quilted inserts and a deep brown shade. Cloth fabric is found elsewhere, but on the PRO-4X it is dressed up with Lava Red stitching and embroidery. On the cargo side, a handful of tie-down points are standard but the available Utili-track Channel System brings a network of cleats that slide forward and back for maximum flexibility when securing a load.
Nissan fits the 2022 Titan with an 8-inches touchscreen for infotainment duty along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone software. PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve models receive a larger, 9-inches screen along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB ports and 120V power in the cabin. A 12-speaker audio system developed by Fender is found on the top-spec model, as is a 360° Around View Monitor camera system. There is no option for a fully digital instrument panel but all 2022 Titans do have a 7-inches information display sandwiched between the primary gauges.
The 2022 Nissan Titan shines in the ADAS department with seven standard systems including Driver Alertness, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Adaptive Cruise Control is included on SV trim and above, while front and rear parking sensors and Traffic Sign Recognition is available further up the model hierarchy. A useful dynamics safety feature is Active Brake Limited Slip that applies braking to a wheel that is slipping, while applying power to the wheels with traction. On the passive front, all Titans are equipped with eight airbags including dual frontal knee positions.
Essentially the jobsite model, Titan S trim comes with steel wheels, cloth seating and manual air conditioning control. Trailer sway control and tow-haul mode are part of the deal as is Nissan’s SafetyShield 360, the automakers’ suite of ADAS systems. Tech highlights include an 8-inches touchscreen, Apple and Android smartphone mirroring software and a 7-inches instrument panel display screen.
Titan SV is dressed up with 18-inches alloy rims, LED tail lamps and body-color exterior bits. It also comes with skid plates for the transmission, oil pan and fuel tank, and access to upgrade packages. For $2,440, the Convenience group adds heated and leather-wrapped front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation and a power-sliding rear window. You can improve cargo conditions with the Utility package that features a spray-on bedliner, LED illumination and the Utili-track Channel System.
Looking the off-road part with all-terrain tires and special decals, PRO-4X trim backs it up with an electronic locking rear differential, transfer case skid plate and specially tuned Bilstein dampers. There is also a trim-exclusive Baja Storm Pearl paint option that looks as good as it sounds. Inside, a liberal application of Lava Red stitching and embroidered PRO-4X logos adds flair, and you can option a panoramic moonroof for about $1500.
Stacked with amenities like climatized front seats, an Intelligent Key and 12-speaker stereo helps the Titan earn a spot on our list of best full-size trucks. Running boards, signature LED lighting and 20” wheels spruce up the exterior look. Inside, the quilted brown leather upholstery and Satin Bronze Metallic trim does the same. A 360° Around View Monitor is included as is the 9” infotainment screen, LED cabin lighting, fold-flat rear floor and open-pore wood trim. Tacking on the $1390 Utility package adds lockable and removable TITAN bed boxes and a rear bumper assist step.
Nissan boasts a 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes the powertrain. Typical competitor powertrain warranty terms, like with Ford, run 5 years or 60,000 miles. Three years of roadside assistance are included for up to 36,000 miles, but there is no complimentary maintenance.
2022 Nissan Titan – nissanusa.com | Shop 2022 Nissan Titan on Carsforsale.com
The 2022 Nissan Titan is a solid all-around full-size pickup with a beefy motor, ample towing capacity and decent standard tech. And yet, it seems like Nissan is not giving the Titan their full engineering attention when compared to the competition that can be had with more power, bigger screens and a deeper roster of amenities. The full-size pickup truck segment is one of, if not the, most competitive in American auto-dom. Nissan needs to step it up to keep the Titan relevant.