Used 2020 Nissan TITAN XD Crew Cab

The 2020 Nissan Titan XD is a tweener truck, straddling the fence between half-ton and three-quarter-ton pickups. As such, it offers more towing and payload than the standard Titan, as well as competitors like the Toyota Tundra. But for the most part, it isn’t better than most half-ton trucks, and falls far behind the three-quarter and one-ton trucks from Ram, Ford and Chevy.

What the Titan XD does offer is a strong, rugged crew-cab truck with a 6.5-foot bed, standard 4-wheel drive and pretty decent off-road ability. The civilized cabin is comfortable and well-appointed, and a host of standard driver assists such as front and rear automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning gives it a leg up on the competition, as does its impressive 5-year/100,000-mile warranty.

With the exception of negotiating diminutive strip-mall parking spots, the 2020 Nissan Titan XD is actually easy to live with. Far from the unwieldy trucks of the past, the Titan XD rides quite comfortably, with a quiet cabin and supportive NASA-inspired zero-gravity seats.

The 5.6-liter V8 has plenty of muscle to move this big truck, and the new 9-speed transmission works without complaint, exhibiting very little hunting or abrupt gear changes. We suspect it also helps with fuel economy, but given the Titan XD doesn’t require EPA fuel-economy figures, we’ll just take it on faith.

The updated Titan XD gets a revised interior with an available 9-inch touch screen that helps it stay competitive with trucks like the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150, but still isn’t as handsome as the Ram 1500. The Titan XD is also limited to a crew-cab-only configuration with one bed length and one drivetrain, something that might be an issue with buyers used to having nearly unlimited configuration possibility when buying a new truck.

Although the 2020 Titan XD is a tough and rugged truck, it has available features sure to please the most spoiled pickup buyer. Base S trims now come with a new 8-inch touch screen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; higher trims get a larger 9-inch screen. Zero-gravity seats occupy both rows, and storage areas are increased all around.

The top-level Platinum Reserve trim model exudes luxury in the form of heated and cooled leather seats, open-pore wood accents and aluminum doorsill plates. In one of the most attractive XD interiors, wood trim is complemented by rich-looking seats, dash and door panels, all done in black and cocoa brown.

Features such as hands-free text messaging, navigation, NissanConnect with mobile apps, Bluetooth and a 110-volt power outlet enhance daily drives or cross-country trips.

Nissan massaged the 2020 Titan XD’s look, with a new grille, front bumper and wheels, as well as unique styling cues for each of the five trims: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve. The new headlights provide around 120 percent more light (low beam). Around back, the bed features LED lighting at all four corners for improved light distribution. Like the grille design, taillights are unique for each trim. On SV and higher trims, an integrated gooseneck hitch with a plug inside the bed is standard.

5.6-LITER V8 ENGINE
A solid performer, the Titan XD’s standard 5.6-liter V8 is a proven entity. With 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, it has no issues pulling heavy loads. While there are no EPA numbers for the XD, the standard half-ton Titan 4×4 uses the same engine and earns an estimated 15-mpg city and 21-mpg highway.

NISSAN SAFETY SHIELD 360
This suite of standard driver assists brings added peace of mind and includes rear automatic emergency braking, a feature that for now remains unique to the Titan XD.

Standard fare includes a hands-free, text-messaging assistant; 6-speaker stereo with 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports plus steering-wheel controls, cruise control, Bluetooth, rear reading lights and NissanConnect with mobile apps. All XDs except the S have standard skidplate protection.

Standard driver assists include forward-collision warning with front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning and automatic high beams. Also standard: hill-start assist, trailer-sway control, aluminum step rails, 17-inch steel wheels, a lockable tailgate and a very thorough gauge package.

Options for the Titan XD vary by trim and are generally bundled into packages. Notable in the list is adaptive cruise control (standard on SV and higher trims), 20-inch wheels, a spray-in bedliner, integrated gooseneck hitch (standard on all but the S), a 110-volt outlet in the bed and a trailer-brake controller. Extendable, heated auto-dimming tow mirrors are also offered.

Inside, Titan XD buyers can opt for heated/cooled leather power seats, Fender 12-speaker audio, dual-pane panoramic moonroof, power-sliding rear window, navigation and a DVD entertainment system.

With the loss of the diesel-engine option, the 2020 Nissan Titan XD offers only one powertrain: a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 teamed with a 9-speed automatic and standard 4-wheel drive. The Titan XD has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 8,800 pounds (the maximum the truck can weigh, including payload, people and fluids); its fuel economy is not rated by the EPA.

5.6-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
413 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A