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2009 Nissan Titan
December 7, 2009 By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
2009 Nissan Titan
DriverSide Overview
When we say competition in the car industry is worryingly bloodthirsty, we aren’t auditioning for Drama 101; we mean it. Every segment has multiple contenders, each vying to be number one in the class. New iterations see the cars getting better and better by including more standard features, delivering top-notch safety specs and providing the most capable drives ever. But no contest is quite as cutthroat as the battle royal going on in the full-size truck segment. If the newly redesigned Dodge Ram and Ford F-150 didn’t exist and the Chevrolet Silverado wasn’t worthy of mention, the 2009 Nissan Titan would have a fighting chance for victory. Alas, while it does everything well, it has neither the clout of the champions nor an American badge. And there are others standing in its way, too; a fellow Japanese product, the Toyota Tundra, has gained serious headway against the U.S. marques. While all those pickups don’t leave the Titan with much breathing room, it should be noted that the truck, despite its small following, is incredibly good. It possesses a forgiving suspension, worthy brakes and a powerful engine, none of which will leave a driver wanting. There’s a bevy of standard features and good looks apparently run in the family. The truck will never post numbers like the F-series but the Titan has enough of the right stuff to continue putting a dent in American truck sales.
What's to Like
Its size may be daunting, but the Titan is a fully drivable truck – not just efficient at hauling parts, it also masters the quick errand. We’re partial to the exterior styling, which looks cooler and more aggressive than some of the more boxy, traditional designs. We now think every reverse-opening rear door should swing out almost 180 degrees.
What's Not to Like
Houston, we have a problem: At $26,150, the Titan hits the most expensive starting price of the lot. Regardless of the fact that an equivalent setup on other trucks is usually more expensive, the extra dollar signs won’t initially help woo buyers over to Nissan’s lots. Optional extended side mirrors seem to actually decrease visibility – a difficult feat with C-pillars the size of a Mini Cooper body panel – and they tend to catch the headlamp glare of every car on the road.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Shockingly, considering its mean-street looks, the Titan has a more refined drive than one would expect. Transitions between gears flow smoothly, almost too smoothly for what we consider normal in a pickup. Subtle sophistication spreads throughout other aspects of the drive too. Its suspension is forgiving, leaving the riders unpunished as it travels over multiple forms of terrain. Steering is direct and doesn’t feel disconnected like others on the market. Und...