Costa Mesa, CA – “Serious Off-Road Performance” is how Nissan describes the 2009
Titan 4X4 PRO-4X and if rugged good looks are any indication, at first glance
you would believe it. This is a
rugged looking truck.
I have to admit that when it comes to pickup trucks I am not a connoisseur. I’ve never owned one and other than
renting or borrowing a few over the years to move or haul some things from place
to place, my experience with them has been minimal and the ones I have
experienced have been of minimalist builds.
I’ve never shopped them but during the course of due diligence for this
column I was shocked at all the different configurations available and frankly
how luxuriously today’s pickup can be optioned out, and how pricey they can get. I do however understand the necessity
of them for people that have the kinds of jobs or life-style that requires a
large payload area, a strong engine and suspension for towing or ripping tree
stumps out of the ground, and room for a few people to do the work or enjoy the
toys being schlepped.
The Titan is built in Tennessee and
Nissan was the first foreign manufacturer to enter the full-size pickup fray
pretty much owned by Ford, Dodge, and GM up until 6 years ago when the Titan was
launched. However, even after
significant updates to the model in the 2008 model year the competition is moving forward
faster in the appearance department and as handsome as this truck is it is
starting to show its age.
You can configure your full-size Titan in a few different ways. The King Cab comes with your
choice of 6-foot-6-inch or 8-foot beds while the Crew Cab offers your choice of either a
5-foot-6-inch or 7-foot bed. Trim
levels are extensive with XE, SE, Pro-4X and LE offerings. The 5.6-liter V8 is the sole engine
choice making 317 HP and 385 lb-ft torque.
heavy duty battery, auto wipers, compass, leather wrapped steering wheel with
cruise and audio controls, tire pressure monitoring system, Nissan’s advanced
air bag system, and many more goodies.
From my perspective the truck lacked only two of my favorite options: Air conditioned seats and a sunroof. Other than that you want for nothing
– it’s all there.
This
tester also had the Driver Convenience Package which adds very comfortable,
heated and power adjustable leather seating for the driver and passenger, memory
for the mirrors, pedals and driver’s seat, the 350 Watt Rockford Fosgate premium
audio system with 8 speakers including a subwoofer and center speaker,
Bluetooth, XM Satellite Radio, Homelink and heated outside rearview mirrors. The Pro-4X Max-Utility Package tops
off the options for people serious about hauling and towing. The factory applies a spray on
bedliner, a Utili-track channel system with 4 adjustable tie-down cleats is
installed, tailgate area lighting and a 12 volt power outlet, a class IV
integrated hitch, 7-pin wiring harness, trailer brake pre-wiring under the IP,
power and heated extendable tow mirrors round out the options bringing the total
to $38,540.
That’s a
lot of money for the ultimate in utility, even if you really need the
capabilities offered, also consider feeding this beast! EPA figures are 12 MPG City and 17
MPG Highway for a combined rating of 14 MPG.
Driving
impression you ask? Frankly I
enjoyed it. You are perched high
above pretty much anything else on the road in big comfy seats with a powerful
V8 making itself known to all around you.
Yes it’s a big truck so best to stay in a straight line when possible and
always remember you’ve got a bunch of vehicle behind you so planning ahead for
tight turns and/or swift corners is a must.
This truck would be happier rock crawling or sloshing around in the mud
than it is in the concrete jungle which is where I spent my time with it but I
would not hesitate to grab the keys to this truck if some off-road trails
happened to materialize here in the OC!
Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio
Network Partners.
