Bidding Farewell: 2024 Nissan Titan Review

Proposing the Final Model Year

With the current generation of Nissan Titan full-size pickup coming to an end and the 2024 model year being the last before the brand discontinues the model after close to two decades on the market, it is only right that we look back on the journey fondly.

When I first entered the automotive industry in 2004, I was given the opportunity to test the first generation of the Titan and now that the third generation is already out in the market, it would be quite interesting to know how much the Titan has developed as a truck.

What I found is solid, versatile and mature performing truck which is still cruising in a good shape despite the fact that Nissan Titan did not become a household name.

Familiar Yet Modern Styling

Though starting from the 2020 model year, the third-generation Nissan Titan retained the cab and overall dimensions of its predecessors, the style has been given a complete overhaul. The latest Titan removes some of the decorative chrome aspects of earlier model and gives the bike a more sharp and classy style.

My test version, Pro-4X, was based on the off-road concept and some additional features which included wider fenders, heavy duty all terrain tyre, side steps, different grille and headlights. It is somewhat masculine and imposing and yet not overly flashy or brash – just enough to attract attention. Any farewell tour should contain some of the best and popular songs and the Titan has that perfect blend of the current trend and the conventional.

Aging but Adequate Performance

It is important to note here that the Nissan Titan was never the quickest and the most powerful full-size pickup. However, in my case, the 5.6-liter V8 is still adequate in terms of the amount of oomph it delivers – although, the 9-speed transmission will search for the best gear at moments.

It is worth to note that the maximum towing capacity is 9,370 pounds in the crew cab configuration, which might not be as impressive as competitors but should suit most users fine. Miles per gallon ranks towards the low end of the subcompact range at 15 mpg city / 20 mpg hwy in 4×2 Titans and is somewhat lower in my 4×4 tester.

Power delivery and maneuverability are not particularly spirited at times, but the Nissan Titan offers a perfectly decent driving experience overall. This is primarily due to the fact that there is just too little incentive for Nissan to pour substantial amounts towards improving this model since it is already in the twilight of its run.

Comfortable, Quiet Cabin Impresses

That is how for a truck that is not far from its lifecycle with no major update within the four model years, I was impressed with the interior space and smoothness of the Nissan Titan. The cabin retains comfort and pliancy; the front seats are supportive, and the rearmost benches offer sufficient space for adults.

The materials used in the inside of nearly top-trim Pro-4X for a price range felt pretty good, especially on the dash and doors that were soft touch and stitching on the surface was clearly seen. However, the absence of complex garnishes on the instrument cluster and the standard 8-in or optional 9-inch infotainment display helps the Titan to avoid the dated look.

There is plenty of storage spaciness, pockets and bins and the rear under seat storage is also very large. The problem is that full-size pickup interiors have evolved dramatically in the course of the past decade with each new generation; therefore the Titan does not look impressive today but it has held up rather well.

Some aspects of safety have enhanced while remaining restricted.

Today’s pickups put emphasis on driver assist and collision prevention systems as major features but while you can expect a lot of those features in today’s Titan, it is not as comprehensive as the one being offered to today’s pickups.

However, there are some standard safety systems in Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 that are worth mentioning, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high beam assist.

These are comparable to most other competitor models you’ll find out there. But comfort and convenience features that are relative to niches as seen in Ford, Chevy, or Ram trucks? They are still missing in base versions of the truck and are still rather limited even in mid-level Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve variants. This is somewhat understandable given that the Titan’s departure is only a model year away, but with less standard technology it is easy to miss.

Saying Goodbye with Dignity

As full-size pickup truck market evolves to be more crowded and the market share becomes more condensed for the full-size pickups, it is not a big surprise to see the low sales volume Nissan Titan to slowly disappear to make way for better sellers from the Nissan stables.

The Titan has never been a huge moneymaker for Nissan, but as a more humble and downsized alternative to increasingly over-the-top half-ton behemoths, it is a breath of fresh air. The 2024 Titan is not a bad truck; it will not let Nissan down in terms of performance and capabilities; it is just that it will not wow you in the same way that it used to or compete effectively with mainline favorites or give convincing value propositions against the domestic truck giants.

For die-hard fans like me, who’ve been following the Nissan Titan’s progress, and appreciating the product since its inception, it is rather heart-warming to see Nissan’s pickup bid adieu on a relatively positive note, with all the elements of grace and dignity well preserved.

Thus, the Nissan Titan name may fade into oblivion, but it does so without having ever made an awkward exit. In its final go-round, Nissan’s full-sizer remains as sincere and workaday in its attitudes and philosophy as the day it first donned its blue collar.