The 2020 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Barely Keeps Up With Rivals
In the world of massive off-roading trucks, you’ll find the 2020 Nissan Titan Pro-4X trying to compete against rivals. While it probably can’t measure up to beasts like the Ram 1500 TRX, we can still see how the Nissan Titan Pro-4X performs in the dirt.
Is the 2020 Nissan Titan Pro-4X good for off-roading?
We’re currently experiencing the second generation of the full-size Nissan Titan that went on sale in 2017. That was a little while ago, so the Titan did receive a slight model refresh for 2020. It got a more confident look, updated interior, engine, and transmission.
While the base model has an MSRP of about $36,550, the Pro-4X off-roading trim raises the price to about $47,590. Remember, the MSRP is before dealership markups, so the truck could actually cost a little more.
But heck, this is about an $11,000 price increase! What comes with the Titan Pro-4X to make paying that much extra worth it? According to Pickup Trucks, It comes with slightly bigger 33-inch 275/70R18 General Grabber A/T tires, convex mirrors for enhanced visibility, off-road gauges, Bilstein shocks, hill-start control, hill descent control, steel skid plates, and a locking rear differential. This does sound like a lot of extra equipment, at least.
How does the Titan Pro-4X perform?
The Nissan Titan Pro-4X comes with a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This is plenty of power. However, the Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss can be equipped with the 6.2-liter EcoTech V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
When put to the test on steep gravel roads, the 2020 Titan Pro-4X provided a smooth ride. The steering felt precise, and the traction was good. However, this was on well-maintained trails. On bumper sections of the path, the Pro-4X struggled over larger bumps. The suspension travel seems to be too limited for desert pre-running, which is the current hot activity.
The suspension travel on the articulation hill felt the same as non-off-roading variants. The ABLS system worked in 4WD High, but it applied the brakes with a jerky motion. Also, the rear differential lock can only be engaged in 4WD low, and there is no central differential in the transfer case.
As the Pickup Trucks team continued testing the Pro-4X on steeper hills, the rear differential prevented slippage, but the truck climbed very slowly. The skid plate protected important things like the radiator, but the bumper can easily be scratched. While rivals have factory suspension lifts to improve approach and departure angles, the Titan Pro-4X does not.
How does the Titan 4X-Pro compare?
The Nissan Titan Pro-4X is closest to the Ram 1500 Rebel, Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss, and Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. The TRD Pro is best for high-speed driving if you exclude monsters like the Ford Raptor. While the Pro-4X does have the best-in-class crawl ratio, its average approach, break over, and departure angles hold it back.
It doesn’t seem to be as capable as its rivals, but the 2020 Nissan Pro-4X still provides value with its powerful 5.6-liter V8 and ability to tow over 9,000 lb. It can most likely get you to your favorite spot without fuss.
