The exciting addition of an all-new Nissan adds some good competition to the Canadian full-size pickup market. The new, 2017 TITAN half ton Crew Cab V8 is the largest pickup in the segment and joins the flagship TITAN XD.

The 2017 TITAN Crew Cab V8 is powered by Nissan's latest 390-horsepower, 5.6-litre, gasoline Endurance V8 engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The Crew Cab introduction is winter-ready with standard 4x4 and 5 trim levels: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL and Platinum Reserve.

The TITAN Crew Cab V8 has the same rugged style as the TITAN XD but has been built on a different chassis that's 37 cm. shorter, while still providing a standard 5.5-foot bed. The shorter chassis and body design changes are geared towards improving the model's aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Some of the improvements include covers for the underbody and front tow hook opening, adding a front spoiler, tailgate and roof spoilers, wind deflectors for the rear tires and seals to close the gap between the cab and flatbed. An Active Grille Shutter reduces unnecessary drag by automatically closing the grille opening behind when air cooling is not needed.

The interior sees major improvements on driver control and storage. Engineers managed to increase front storage by 33 percent and rear storage by 28 percent. Some of the new storage areas include second row under seat storage with a locking lid and an integrated flat, fold-out floor. The shift lever was moved from the centre console to the steering column so that controls are easier to reach and in order to free up a large centre console area that can now hold a laptop. Switches have been organised and grouped according to function and how often they're used.

The new TITAN's engine outputs more power than ever at 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. Throttle response has improved due to direct control of the intake valve instead of controlling the intake with a throttle valve. The Endurance V8 also features a Direct Injection Gas system for more efficient fuel economy and better wide-open throttle performance.

The Nissan TITAN's 4x4 power conquers everything from chinooks to monsoons with no problems. A new transfer case provides four-wheel drive traction to deal with snow, slush, ice, muck, dirt, gravel or whatever else you may encounter. Back country ready, the TITAN's off-road performance is impressive. Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, electronic locking rear differential, Brake Limited-Slip Differential (BLSD) and an off-road gauge that measures the vehicle's pitch and roll angles make off-roading a no-brainer.

The TITAN half-ton has a maximum towing capacity of 4259 kg. and a maximum payload capacity of 730 kg. It's fitted with the latest driver aid, towing features including:

⋅  Trailer Sway Control (TSC)

⋅  Integrated Trailer Brake Controller

⋅  A Trailer Light Check system that's simple enough for one-person to hook-up and check that turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights work properly

⋅  Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control 

⋅  RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides

For increased visibility when towing, the available Around View Monitor (AVM) provides what appears to be a "bird's eye" view of the surroundings  using the front, rear and side cameras.

If you've been eyeing the TITAN XD, there's no better time to give us a visit and take both the XD and new half ton Crew Cab V8 for a test drive.