Nissan Titan

– Flagstaff, Arizona

Just inside the Hualapai Indian Reservation, at the northern tip of Arizona lies more than a million acres of unspoiled wilderness. Most people know it as the Grand Canyon National Park. Over the next few days, a small section of the park would act as Nissan’s own personal proving grounds, with myself and a few other lucky members of the media putting the Titan Pro-4X to the test.

Nissan's newfound desire for adventure lies appropriately in the hands of its largest pickup truck. First introduced in 2004, the Titan was the Japanese marque's first real foray into a space dominated by manufacturers like Ford and Chevy. It signaled Nissan’s bid to slice off just a small piece of the American brands’ massive truck market share here in the U.S.

Today the second-generation Titan is a more grown up vehicle than it was when it was first introduced. Under the hood lies a 5.6-liter V8 producing 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. A 5.0-liter Cummins diesel option, meanwhile, offers 310 hp and a significant amount of more torque at 555 lb-ft. There are two sizes: regular and the not-quite-heavy-duty XD. The exterior design is sharp, the cabin is comfortable, and the package is a perfect jumping off point for those looking to accessorize and personalize to their off-road needs.

Leading up to the annual Overland Expo just outside of Flagstaff, the stunning scenery of Northern Arizon...