2016 Nissan Titan XD
After hauling up our Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Pickup, the Nissan Titan XD looks to wow us again. This time, running on tried and true V8 gasoline power.
The original 5.0 liter Cummins turbo diesel V8 was a torque-y and stout mover that impressed us mightily. A tow rating of 12,300 pounds impressed us, too.
This time, we’re cruisin’ in the 5.6 liter “Endurance” V8, a naturally aspirated gasoline engine carried over from the current gen, and also smaller, Titan. Although some reengineering bumps horsepower way up to 390, and torque to 401 lb-ft.
Compared to the diesel, there’s a penalty on tow rating, of course. But at around eleven hundred pounds less weight, it’s not as much as we expected. Max payload on the other hand, is actually up about 500 pounds.
The lighter gas engine also makes it feel a little more nimble on its feet.
On sale now, the 2016 Nissan Titan XD, with V8 Gasoline power, starts around $36,000.
Specifications
- Engine: 5.6 liter
- Horsepower: 390
- Torque: Starts around $36,000
2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
Just in time for the resurging interest in hybrid motoring, the Honda Civic Hybrid is back. Absent for a decade, the 2025 Civic Hybrid joins the lineup amidst an 11th-gen mid-cycle refresh.
To be fair, the overall Civic refresh is pretty mild with updated lighting and a revised front fascia. The big changes to this front-driver are all under the hood. Last year’s 1.5-liter turbo is no more. All non-hybrid sedans and hatchbacks, that means LX and Sport trims, are now powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I4 rated at 150 horsepower, paired up with a CVT.
The new hybrid powertrain is standard in the aptly named Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid grades. Two electric motors work with an eCVT for a total output of 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Even more impressive is the Honda-estimated 50-city, 47-highway and 49-combined mpg rating. So, you’ll save some fuel and have some fun gripping the wheel, as we did in Montreal, Canada.
“The powertrain in this hybrid is so good. The additional power, the additional torque makes this so much nicer to drive on the daily.Everything comes together so well in this vehicle from the suspension, because in this Sport Touring Hybrid, it’s really soft and incredibly comfortable for a vehicle at this price point, which is just over $30,000. So really impressive there.”
The non-hybrid 2025 Honda Civic has a starting price of about $25,000. Built in Honda’s plant in Alliston, Ontario, and arriving at dealers now, the revised Honda Civic lineup continues to offer solid solutions for value and fuel conscious consumers.
We’ll have a full Road Test and more Quick Spins… soon!
2024 Nissan LEAF
With more and more options blooming, this 2024 Nissan LEAF floated down to our studio to show us what’s new with this pioneering, yet sometimes overlooked battery-electric option.
This SV Plus is the most appointed of two trims, including the powertrain. It uses a larger 60-kilowatt-hour battery and a more powerful 214-horsepower front-wheel-drive electric motor, upgrades over the base LEAF’s 40-kilowatt-hour battery and 147-horsepower motor. Yes, 250 lb-ft of torque make the SV Plus a peppy little machine, but buyers are more likely drawn in by the EPA-estimated 212-mile range. We think that’s great for this little five-seater as a second car, but the base model’s 149 miles may be an adequate commuter for some.
17-inch wheels and LED headlights give away the SV Plus from the outside, but both models appear quite similar… as do their cabins; but the SV Plus packs a little bit more, like power and heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The 7-inch, smartphone-compatible infotainment screen is standard in both, as are a number of safety and convenience features, with the Plus getting a slight edge there with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist suite.
With the lowest list price of any battery-electric sold in the U.S., the 2024 Nissan LEAF starts just under $30,000, and that’s before potential incentives. The SV Plus commands a bit more, starting around $37,000. While it’s isn’t the ultimate EV in range, to us, the LEAF remains a quality option for consumers looking to branch out into EV living without pulling the plug on your bank account.
And we’ll have more Quick Spins… soon!