Nissan Titan 2012 $31,999

To all those Doubting Thomases out there who thought a foreign pickup truck could never compete with the offerings from Ram, Chevy and Ford, the 2012 Nissan Titan politely says sit down and rethink your position. Although there is no Titan 3/4- or 1-ton model available, the majority of pickups sold in the U.S. are of the half-ton variant, placing the 2012 Titan right in the thick of things. Every bit the equal to its domestic rivals, the Titan possesses a powerful V8 engine, sturdy boxed frame and a number of unique bed and cab equipment features designed to make life with a pickup truck a little easier. While marketed primarily to those who do light- to medium-duty work, it's probably a better bet that the 2012 Nissan Titan will find a home with those who like to spend weekends on the lake with their boat, or up in the mountains with their dirt bikes. For folks who need to venture far from the beaten path, the 2012 Nissan Titan's PRO-4X off-road package should be enticing. You'll Like This Car If... If you're looking for an alternative to the commonplace Ford, Ram or Chevy offerings, the 2012 Nissan Titan truck offers a unique twist on the full-size pickup formula, with bold styling and a proven record of resale and reliability. You May Not Like This Car If... The 2012 Nissan Titan's 317-horsepower V8 is not the strongest in the class, falling short of the Ram's 390-horsepower HEMI V8 and the Chevy's 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. If you're looking to haul or tow really heavy loads, the Titan's half-ton configuration can't match the Chevy, Ford and Ram 3/4- and 1-ton models. Nissan also doesn't offer a diesel engine option or a dually rear end. KBB Expert Ratings Overall Rating 6.6 Driving Dynamics 6.0 Comfort Convenience 6.2 Design: Interior Exterior 6.4 Value 6.2 Safety 7.9 How It Ranks #18 out of 19 MPG #9 out of 23 Horsepower View all rankings Consumer Rating 8.7 out of 10 View all consumer ratings What's New for 2012 For 2012, Nissan offers a new Sport Appearance Package on the Titan King Cab and Crew Cab SV models. Included in the package are 20-inch SL aluminum-alloy wheels, dark grille treatment, body-colored front and rear bumpers, black step rails, PRO-4X seats with silver contrasting stitching, lockable bedside storage compartment, a body-side sport 'Titan' graphic, white-faced gauges, foglights, and Captain's chairs with a center console. Driving the Titan King Cab Driving Impressions Although it does not have the most powerful V8 engine in its class, calling the 2012 Nissan Titan pickup truck weak would be a gross misrepresentation. The 5.6-liter V8 standard... in all Titan trucks (there is no V6 option, even on the base truck), delivers a respectable 317 horsepower and, more important, 385 lb-ft of torque. The Titan's V8 is responsive at all speeds, delivering impressive power to pass traffic on steep inclines. Nissan's gated 5-speed automatic transmission came in handy on steep descents, where we often found ourselves shifting through the lower gear ranges to slow the vehicle and spare the brakes. This feature is particularly helpful when towing, too. We did sense some vibration telegraphed through the steering wheel, but the Titan's ride was composed and calm. Overall, our testers concluded that the 2012 Nissan Titan pickup delivers a smooth, controlled ride and exhibits better-than-average steering and handling response. Favorite Features Wide-Swinging Rear Door The hinged rear door on the Nissan Titan King Cab model swings back 168 degrees to create exceptionally convenient interior access. Exterior Storage Box The 2012 Nissan Titan's exterior storage box (located behind the left rear wheel) is perfect for storing such items as jumper cables or muddy clothing. 2012 Nissan Titan King Cab Details Interior Thanks to Nissan's wide and varied trim options, the 2012 Nissan Titan truck can be anything from a bang-it-up work truck to near-luxury pickup. Bench seating and simple interior fabric choices grace the base-

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