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 Porsche Cayenne GTS
For 2025, Porsche has reinvited the GTS to the Cayenne party, and it’s dressed to impress. Though the improvements go way deeper than a new front fascia with larger intakes; so, it was off to Atlanta, Georgia for some First Drive seat time.
The Cayenne GTS is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, now unleashing 493 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque, increases of 40 hp and 30 lb-ft compared to the previous GTS. But that isn’t even the best of it. The GTS borrows components from the incredible Cayenne Turbo GT, which we tested at this year’s Roebling Round Up.
That includes a separate water-cooling circuit for the all-wheel drive transfer case for greater endurance and the Turbo GT’s steering knuckles for more negative camber. A two-valve air suspension setup is standard, keeping things planted, responsive and comfortable. This carryover of components makes the Cayenne GTS a practical people mover for the driver at heart.
ALEXANDER KELLUM: “It may not be where all the magic happens, but to me the best ingredient in that cauldron of performance is the engine: a 4.0-liter V8. It’s super responsive, it sounds great, it’s got a good purr to it. This is a great highway cruiser, partially because of that engine; but then, out here on the backroads, yeah, all those suspension tweaks—they really do add up to something. This is a great Cayenne for those who want the luxury SUV experience, but they also just like to drive.”
Perhaps best of all, those heightened reflexes don’t cost Turbo GT dollars. The 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS starts around $127,000, with the Coupe just over $130,000— a fair bit less than its big brother’s $200,000 price tag.
We’ll have more GTS goodness and more Quick Spins… soon!
2025 Toyota Crown Signia
Following the recent return of the Crown sedan to Toyota’s U.S. lineup, they have now added an SUV derivative to the Crown family, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia.
Styling of the five-passenger Crown Signia crossover is similar to the sedan and the wheelbase is the same, but the spec sheet is not quite a cut-and-paste affair, as overall length of the Crown Signia is a bit shorter, while ground clearance is up by almost an inch; and of course, there’s a rear liftgate hiding 25.8 cubic-feet of cargo space.
It does share the Crown sedan’s base hybrid powertrain which means all-wheel drive is standard, but rated at 240 horsepower, it gets a slight bump over the sedan. Toyota claims a 36-Combined MPG rating.
Riding on the same chassis as just about every Toyota car these days, ride quality was sublime during our first chance behind the wheel in Southern California.
BRIAN ROBINSON: “The Crown was Toyota’s attempt to bring a little SUV style into the sedan segment, and now they’ve gone full SUV with it, but as you can imagine it still drives and feels just like a car. All of you Camry wagon owners who never embraced the Venza should definitely check it out.”
It will be available in XLE and Limited grades; Limited riding on 21-inch wheels, XLEs getting 19s, but both get leather seats and Toyota’s latest multimedia system on a 12.3-inch touchscreen along with a 12.3-inch gauge display. Pricing starts around $44,000, and they should begin arriving at dealers later this summer.