2022 Titan XD On and Off-Pavement Review

The 2022 Titan XD hasn't changed from the one we tested last year. It's still a great truck, but is it good enough to compete with the efficiency of the 1/2 tons and the capability of the 3/4 ton truck market?
Engine Adventures strives to explore and test the AWD and 4WD systems of all crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. To do this we test vehicles in real world environments in a way that allows viewers to cross shop and explore any vehicle they may be interested in learning about.
New videos every Friday at 6:30 A.M. MST and occasionally on Wednesdays.

[@benjamintucker1075]

One of the better reviews I’ve seen on this truck. Love the truck and I think the ace up it’s sleeve is it’s reliability. I subscribed! Once again great job!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and for the support! The Titan HD is a great truck, I'm sad it's going away. However it doesn't have the reputation the Tundra has, and doesn't bring enough to the table for the MSRP when compared to many other trucks. It's great for the users that fall at the upper end of a half ton, but maybe a little too niche for most

[@JDub07]

Great review. The engine alone makes this worth the purchase if you plan on owning it for a long time.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching! I love this V8 for sure!

[@ryanphillips3533]

Lol, im not sure what some people are legitimately complaining about with these trucks..!!?? I mean are yall just getting introduced to the world of mid to full size trucks and suvs or what? Short and sweet, if your in the market for a fully capable truck mid size or full size your not going to get an average fuel mileage of a honda civic so idk what you people expect lol? Now we all know you can opt to get a turbo v6, eco diesel, i4, etc but in a full size truck your mpg isnt gonna be that much more substantial on average especially towing plus maintenance is substantially more and not to mention theyre simply not tried and true to last like these titans! Take the chevy 6.0 gas for example. Terrible on fuel depending on how you use it and what size the vehicle is but the damn things are bullet proof! At the end of the day, dependable shit is what matters most! Most mid size trucks and suvs only average 16 to 20 so cmon lol! You wanna get better mpg towing? Fork another 10 to 20 grand out for a full size big 3 diesel plus your 200 buck maintenance at the cheapest and take so many different risks with bad fuel, injectors, def filters, egr, etc... in my opinion over 40+ years of truck ownership, when you can average 14 to 20 mpg on any fullsize unit, youll be just fine lol!

[@EngineAdventures]

Think of 1/2 ton pickup trucks today as the station wagon of the 70's. More often than not they family vehicles. They are used for long drives, running errands around town, and sometimes towing/hauling. Fuel mileage matters to many in this situation. However, for many reliability and performance are more important than fuel mileage gains. There's a reason dodge sells a ton of high horsepower vehicles (and pays 40 million in EPA fines). To some, fuel mileage is a top priority, but there are certainly others who aren't that way.

[@charlesd.346]

Mty thing is this, is it a good RELIABLE TRUCK first, then strong enough to do what I need SAFELY. All the rest of the things are just icing on the cake. Just because some manufacturers say a truck can tow a high weight, can it do it safely.

[@jeremiahsutton5671]

I have a 2017 Pro4x with the Cummins. It's a dang good truck. I will definitely be buying a newer XD in the future.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@apvlogs8129]

Its been reliable?

[@radfordmunz9577]

I have a 17 platinum reserve Cummins too. The turbo on higher speeds is fast. Catch it right and you’re going 105 on accident

[@mikeriv60]

As a owner of a 2021 Nissan Pro4x I'll take the Titan over just about any pickup on the market. Great driver and awesome tow vehicle, extremely stable, tons of safety equipment and a real nice real world interior. Not all this electronic gizmos that will break sooner rather than later. Nissan gives real numbers on the pay load and towing unlike say Ford and the 12 or 14000 lb pounds tow rating for a f150. You have to be nuts to tow that weight with a half ton. XDs are a twener truck and work very well for that spot, decent towing with a nice ride. MPGs suck and that's true.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for sharing your experience! The XD is a great truck!

[@TS-di5zw]

Completely agree, these trucks actually work for most people and they don't even realize it. They're brainwashed by fake big 3 tow numbers for 1500 series trucks

[@zad4809]

That motor on valve cover is the VVEL motor.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks!

[@sking2173]

Nissan has obviously done it’s homework on the “brake-lock” system, but it only works so well because it has a true lo-range and an engine with low end grunt.

[@EngineAdventures]

Absolutely right! Thanks for commenting!

[@jaywhite1850]

Have you towed with the XD? We can talk numbers all day long but XD owners will tell you towing with it is towing with confidence. I took the family from NC to GA to FL to AL and back home towing a ‘33 TT on a 1.5 week trip. The biggest issue with my truck is the 26 gallon tank.

[@EngineAdventures]

I've towed with both the Cummins diesel version and the 5.6 gas. The XD is more stable than any half ton I've towed with, but fuel mileage isn't great. As you mentioned the range is quite poor when towing as well. Power is adequate in both versions. Even with some half tons being rated higher than the XD, the XD is much more stable and planted than the half tons.

[@paultruesdale7680]

I hope you can get a raptor and take to the same place you took the TRX. Got to get you more subs man!

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha thanks! Oddly enough my most popular videos are things like the RAV4 or Honda Ridgeline. For some reason the Ford 7.3 gas towing video took off as well, but for the most part the views I get are from taking non-off-roaders off the pavement.

[@paultruesdale7680]

It’s channels like yours that cut through the marketing crap and show the prospective buyers what the AWD systems can really do. There is almost no way the test drive can replicate results like yours. I like how you take the time to try every scenario. The manufacturer’s are selling crossovers now that people used to buy jeeps for, then telling them that the computer will figure it out for them.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks again! Certainly! For a while even I thought a Subaru was decent Off-road, turns out I was wrong! They are great all weather vehicles but not off roaders!

[@sking2173]

@@EngineAdventures - You’re obviously hooking some of the wishful-thinking crowd that really want to believe that the crossovers will perform like a Jeep JL because of the wonders of modern computers.

[@rdking8001]

Btw HP and torque only when you use expensive gas probably get 1-2 more MPG with high test

[@EngineAdventures]

I believe all my testing was done on premium fuel. It's a media truck and they usually want the best take they can get from the journalists so they use premium.

[@giolats8179]

Great review. Do you think this truck's weak point is the payload/towing capacity compared to that of the heavy duty competitors?

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks, as always! Nissan deliberately slots the XD between the half tons (1500's) and 3/4 tons (2500's). The problem is the market for that is very small. The Titan XD is certainly heavier duty and more solid than the 1/2 tons (at least the ones I've tested, I haven't driven the highest rated F-150), but certainly not as capable as a 3/4 ton. Another problem is that it's not any more fuel efficient than a 3/4 ton and depending on which 3/4 ton you get it doesn't ride too much smoother either. It's just a hard sell for me because half tons are so capable and fuel efficient now that they pretty much cover the same market as the XD, and if you need that little bit more that the XD offers, then the 3/4 tons are a better value for the added capability.

[@giolats8179]

@@EngineAdventures to the point analysis. I think Nissan does better in the midsize truck segment, and maybe they should consider building a Frontier based SUV to compete with Wrangler, Bronco and 4runner.

[@EngineAdventures]

@@giolats8179 bring back the Xterra!

[@JL-rb7ml]

@@EngineAdventures they need to, it would be a welcome addition to the few body on frame SUVs

[@dantimber]

@@EngineAdventures Thanks for doing part of the test on the highway. Very informative for daily driving. I've heard several reviewers comment on the front windshield angled too sharply on the standard Titan and Titan XD?

[@ajdizzle4shizzle]

How was the Titan XD Pro-4x with the cummins that you mentioned you took to Moab?

[@EngineAdventures]

It did fine, fuel mileage and range weren't great towing the trailer. I did the first half of Fins and Things and the XD made it through, but the length and overhangs were difficult to work with.

[@ajdizzle4shizzle]

@@EngineAdventures Super appreciate the feedback! I’m new to the channel and find your reviews to be incredibly detailed and thorough.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thank you for the support! It's a fun side gig for sure!

[@user-zy4nt6hk4x]

yandex browser does not sound and translate quite correctly)), so I want to ask what is your favorite of the 1/2 pickup at the price of Tacoma or frontier?

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Off-pavement I prefer the Tacoma, on pavement I prefer the Frontier.

[@user-zy4nt6hk4x]

@@EngineAdventures 10:21 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro 4x Review sorry, I asked the wrong question. in the video about defender, you said that for the money of Tacoma or defender, you can get half a ton. is half a ton like a ford f 150 or ram? it is very interesting which half-ton pickup truck is good in value quotients

[@EngineAdventures]

Yeah the half tons are the Ford F-150, GMC, Chevy, and Ram 1500's, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan (not the XD). 1/2 ton is no longer valid as an actual payload, but is a term from the mid 1900's used to define how much payload a truck could have. It obviously depends on how you equip them, but you can get a decently equipped Ford F-150 XLT, Ram 1500 Big Horn, or Chevy Custom Trail Boss all with V8's for less than $55k. Admittedly at $55k in the mid-size trucks you're getting just about every option, and they may be a little nicer inside. With the 1/2 tons you get more power, more towing, similar or higher payload, and very close to the same mpg. For me personally, the midsize truck isn't as good of an option.

[@user-zy4nt6hk4x]

@@EngineAdventures thank you, very interesting. The pickup truck is gorgeous, super practical. in vain in Russia there are none. I remember transporting a refrigerator in Renault Megan 2, half of it was sticking out

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha yeah, as much as we complain about not getting some cool vehicles here in America, we do have a plethora of pickup trucks to choose from.

[@ryannylander1819]

Funny you mentioned the 30 yr old truck. Have a 95 ctd 2wd with 3k payload and 12k+ towing and I’m torn on buying a ‘24 XD because of the payload and tank size. It just hurts my brain. Love the truck otherwise. Great review, thank you.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Too bad Nissan couldn't quite figure out the XD truck class. I believe 2024 is the last year of production for it.

[@ryannylander1819]

@@EngineAdventures yeah it’s so close… up the rear axle, gvwr, tank size, and maybe a 6’9 bed for us 5th wheel folks to give more buffer…. It’s a compromise but not sure I’m willing to go into a modern diesel and the other gas option hd trucks just so many big issues. Ugh.

[@paultruesdale7680]

Why Nissan never released the warrior concept truck is beyond me. Fords got the raptor, ram the TRX. If you’re going to build a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton it’s got to be able to a lot of payload and tow fifth wheels and big trailers. The big three know what the market wants and they create the market as well. All Nissan had to do was copy or do better for the money. Financing is the key as well. This truck design might be great in other markets but not in the USA truck capital of the world. Oh, and don’t go whacking pro on the side unless it’s got the goods.

[@EngineAdventures]

The Pro-4x does get a rear locker and a few little upgrades, but I think Nissan was hoping to create and capture a new market area, it just didn't work out that way.

[@mikecarmean1676]

MPG could be better on these trucks for sure but as you said you were messing around the night before and also driving around 80 miles an hour won't get you the best 🍻

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I try to drive all the vehicles about the same. My experience is that the Titan XD gets about the same fuel mileage as the 3/4 ton gas trucks from Ford, Ram, and Chevy.

[@mikecarmean1676]

@@EngineAdventures that makes sense thanks for sharing. And thanks for all the thorough testing you do 👍

[@rdking8001]

Man I got screwed mine was 73k similar equipment, I did get a portable boom bad 😂😂

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, the market has been crazy lately, seems to be calming down a bit though. As long as you like it and feel like the truck is worth it, then no worries at all. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

This is what trying to create your own segment but nobody following along looks like.

[@EngineAdventures]

Yup, certainly not a bad truck by any means. Nissan was hoping to catch a group of people that need an inbetweener truck and it turns out that group is small.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@EngineAdventures Another thing I realized was how insanely capable the F-150 is. Alex from Alex on Autos said Ford could make an F-200 which would be the F-150 with the heavy duty payload and max towing packages. It would make sense as the numbers are just insane for a half-ton. 3225 lbs of payload and tow capacity of 14,000 lbs? That's DEFINITELY in between a ½ ton and a ¾ ton, both greater than the Nissan's. Those numbers are achieved by using a different frame but the same body and I imagine that's the exact same thing the F-600 does, which bridges the gap between the Super Duty trucks and the medium duty F-650 and F-750. All in all, the Titans apparently don't make Nissan enough money to continue offering them so they will be cancelled from what it looks like.

[@EngineAdventures]

Yeah, I would really like to test that configuration of F-150. That payload is more than many 3/4 ton trucks I've tested. Most F-150's are actually in the 1200-1400 lb payload range.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@EngineAdventures Were those the Raptors, Tremors and other luxury/off-road trims? I can't understand for the life of me why you'd want a truck with payload of less than 2000 lbs. You are almost overloaded when 5 average Americans are sitting in one with 1200 lbs. That's why I really respect Ford's efforts with the Lightning. The Pro variant has a payload of 2000 lbs and it's the lightest electric truck by far.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@EngineAdventures For towing such insane mass I'd really like to have a diesel engine though. Here's hopes that the brand new 3.0L V6 developed in Australia for the Ranger makes it into the F-150. It would be a great replacement for the old Land Rover 3.0L V6. Hybrids are absolutely NOT a diesel replacement, seeing as they get worse fuel economy while towing than a naturally aspirated V8.

[@IF9]

Not sure if this truck has any chance against RAM, Ford and GM

[@paultruesdale7680]

Almost zero

[@EngineAdventures]

It's a great truck and would be relevant in the 2000's, but today it's a hard sell for me.

[@scott8238]

It does tow better than any of the other half tons on the market. Tow a trailer with both and you will feel the difference

[@EngineAdventures]

@@scott8238 just like there is no replacement for displacement when talking power, wheelbase and weight are key for towing, and the XD certainly has a lot of both.

[@RBZ06LT6]

@@scott8238 on paper but in practice, this thing feels unsafe 😮

[@RBZ06LT6]

To me, a 3/4 ton has 8 lug wheels…

[@EngineAdventures]

yeah, this truck is slotted in between the traditional American 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons. In a truck I prefer a fully floating rear axle.

[@paultruesdale7680]

It’s a nice truck, but a little dated in the styling department. They only offer one motor but if you can afford this truck fuel mileage is not one of your priorities. The previous model titan was a far better truck but it was only a 1/2 ton. Nissan should quit with the big trucks and focus on their cars and SUV models. Ford, Chevy and Ram have the truck market sewn up. Toyota can’t compete, even with all the talk of reliability. It’s a beautiful rig in its own right. Way to big for off-road though.

[@EngineAdventures]

Well said!

[@Falinzin]

Ford/Chevy/Ram don't have the midsize truck segment sewn up, the new 2022 frontier Pro4x is pretty dang amazing for the money. The Ranger is ugly and looks more like a SUV, the Colorado/Canyon only slightly better, and there's not much to be said for longterm reliability of small displacement big turbo engines.

[@EngineAdventures]

I just assumed he meant the full size truck market. I also think that more competition is always better. The Frontier is one of my favorite mid size trucks, it has the best engine and transmission tuning in my opinion.

[@paultruesdale7680]

I was talking about the 1/2 ton and up segment. Thanks for the correction. Toyota Tacoma owns the midsize segment with everyone else fighting for second place.