Whether you’re watching its new TV spots – you know, the one where the Frontier pushes a sand rail up a giant hill – or reading this story, Nissan wants to remind consumers it produces capable off-road vehicles. That’s why the company invited us to a private ranch in Bandera, Texas, the self-proclaimed “cowboy capital of the world,” to get behind the wheel of its 2012 trucks and SUVs.

Nissan rounded up its 2012 four-wheel-drive vehicles at a private ranch in Texas, inviting out the media to test the trucks and SUVs in real-world off-road terrain. We had the chance to drive its truck headliner the Titan, as well as proven compact truck the Frontier. In its 2012 SUV realm, Nissan brought along its playful, sporty Xterra, its leading crossover SUV the Pathfinder, and the full-sized Armada.

Although each vehicle Nissan brought to Bandera is equipped with 4x4 capability, Nissan offers an even more capable off-road package of its Titan, Frontier and Xterra in the Pro-4X package. For more on its 2012 lineup of 4x2 and 4x4 vehicles, read on.

Nissan Titan
The Titan returns to Nissan’s lineup in 2012 boasting features for which it has become known, such as an electronic locking rear differential (on the Pro-4X package), high utility bed with the Utili-Track system, OEM spray-on bedliner, 168-degree King Cab rear doors and unique storage compartments. The Titan is still powered by its powerful5.6-liter V8 engine that produces 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. This all equates to a towing capacity of 9,500 pounds on the King Cab version and 9,400 pounds on Crew Cab models, when properly equipped.

In 2012, a new sport package will be available for the Titan (20-inch alloy wheels, body color bumpers/step/fog lights, unique color and graphics), but what will interest off-roaders most is the Pro-4X package. This off-road-savvy Titan will feature unique Rancho suspension, electronic locking rear differential, body-colored grille and bumpers, unique graphics (and interior design changes as well), lockable bedside storage compartment, skid plates, BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires. It also features a lower final drive ratio of 3.357. 

The Titan will be available in S, SV, Pro-4X and SL packages in 2012. It will be offered in one new color of Brilliant Silver, and it is also available as a Flex Fuel Vehicle capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel.

Nissan Frontier
In what has become a shrinking compact truck market with Ford (Ranger), Dodge (Dakota) and Chevy (the Colorado is out in 2012 but is said to return revamped in future) all not offering trucks in the segment for 2012, Nissan remains committed to the segment with its Frontier.

Nissan describes its Frontier as a truck that offers “full-size hardware with compact pickup value.” It will be offered in three new colors in 2012 that include Brilliant Silver, Metallic Blue and Lava Red, and it will be available in S, SV, Pro-4X and SL packages.

Two engine options are available for the Frontier, including a 261-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 or a 152-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. The Frontier 4x4 models are available with a four-wheel limited-slip system, helping to transfer power to the drive wheels for added grip in low-traction, off-road surfaces.

There’s also the optional Hill Descent Control feature that makes downhill driving simplified since the driver doesn’t have to constantly apply the brake pedal during the descent. We were able to test the system down a steep, rocky slope, and the function really makes downhill descent much simpler and safer. Hill Start Assist (HSA) is another useful function allowing the driver to stop on an incline to keep the vehicle in place and not roll backward when the driver shifts their foot to the gas pedal. The 4-cylinder versions will feature limited slip in the rear and vehicle dynamic control.

As for the Pro-4X package on the Frontier, this vehicle includes 16-inch wheels, Bilstein shocks, locking rear differential, BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires and four skid plates for added off-road protection. The Frontier will also be available in a sport package that features larger, 18-inch alloy wheels and grille with Dark Hyper Silver finish, body color bumpers and fog lights, sport cloth seat trim with “Frontier” embroidery, and unique “Frontier” body side graphics.

Nissan Xterra
It’s safe to say the Xterra is one of the first truly off-road capable crossover SUVs that could function as a comfortable daily driver and still tackle the trails. It features the F-Alpha truck platform also used on the Titan and Armada. This fully-boxed, all-steel ladder frame features double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle leaf spring rear suspension, as well as stabilizer bars both front and rear. For the Pro-4X Xterra, the vehicle is equipped with Bilstein shocks, a rear tire deflector and skid plates to help protect the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case. The Pro-4X also features a locking rear differential, Hill Start Assist and Descent Control.

The Xterra is available in three models including the X, S and Pro-4X packages, all powered by a 261-horsepower V6 engine that offers 281 lb-ft of torque. It is available in a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic package, and in either 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive.

SUV Options
Although the three aforementioned vehicles (Titan, Frontier, Xterra) all feature the Pro-4X option to offer an even more off-road-capable vehicle, both the Pathfinder and larger Armada SUVs still offer 4x4 capability.

The Pathfinder may be one of the most recognizable Nissan vehicles, having been in the Nissan lineup for more than 25 years. The Pathfinder is available in 4x4 and 4x2 options. It offers three-row seating to fit up to seven people, and the seats can adjust to 64 different configurations. It is available in either a V6 or V8 engine option, and it offers a host of features such as Nissan Intelligent Key, Bluetooth phone system, DVD entertainment system, and the Nissan Navigation System, which will be standard on LE models in 2012.

Regarded as the “halo” vehicle for the Nissan SUV line, the Armada is still a surprisingly capable off-road vehicle despite its family-friendly size, offering room for eight. It tows up to 9,000 pounds and provides 97.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, along with multiple seating configurations.

Changes for 2012 include the power liftgate becoming a standard feature on the SL and SV packages, and standard heated front seats on the SL package. The Armada is available in the SL, SV and Platinum packages in both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive packages. Powering the SUV flagship model is a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 engine rated to produce 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. The Armada also features the same heavy-duty boxed-ladder frame found on the Titan and Xterra.

For more information on Nissan’s lineup of 2012 offerings, visit NissanUSA.com. One bit of interesting news for 2012 is the company will also produce a new passenger van version in NV line in late 2012.