NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The all-new 2016 Nissan TITAN XD full-size pickup has been named one of three finalists for the 2016 North AmericanTruck/Utility of the Year (NATOY), an annual award selected by an independent, self-funded jury made up of a group of automotive journalists from across the United States and Canada. The announcement of the finalists for both the North American Truck of the Year and the North American Car of the Year was made today at the Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit.

Now in its 23rd year, the NATOY jury selected the finalists from a list of trucks and sport utility vehicles that set new benchmarks in the classes in which they compete. The jurors evaluated TITAN XD and 11 other semi-finalists on the ballot based on factors including: value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction.

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“To understand the full significance of the North American Truck of the Year award you have to look at the cumulative depth of knowledge of the jurors, who represent major magazines, television stations, radio stations, newspapers and websites,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, U.S.A., Nissan North America, Inc. “To be named one of three finalists is a tribute to the dedicated Nissan planning, design, engineering, development and manufacturing teams across America that have worked so hard to bring it to market.”

More than just a new model, the 2016 Nissan TITAN XD stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries. The bold new design combines the capability of a heavy-duty hauler with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup. It is anchored by a powerful 310-horsepower Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel and mated to a heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission, and has a maximum towing capacity rating of more than 12,000 pounds when properly equipped.

“This new TITAN XD offers powerful towing and hauling capabilities closer to larger, more expensive heavy-duty trucks, while at the same time providing the ride comfort and affordability of a half-ton pickup,” added Diaz. “It’s a combination you won’t find in any other truck on the market today, something that is referred to as the ‘every duty’ pickup.”

The TITAN XD full-size pickup was also recently named “Truck of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in their annual 2015 Texas Truck Rodeo, which puts the industry’s best trucks, SUVs and CUVs through a grueling two-day evaluation at the historic Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas. In addition to the competition’s top award, Truck of Texas, the new TITAN XD won three other honors – Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas, Off-Road Pickup Truck of Texas and Best Powertrain for its standard Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine.

The TITAN XD’s long list of innovative technologies includes an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hook-up operation – including checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights. Assisting trailer hook-ups is a RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides. TITAN XD also offers an available Around View® Monitor (AVM), which provides a unique “bird’s eye” view of the surrounding area to help with parking and pulling in and out of tight spaces. The system includes Moving Object Detection (MOD). Two trailer hitches are available, including an integrated gooseneck hitch engineered into the frame and easily accessible in the bed.

The 2016 TITAN XD is offered in five grade levels: S, SV, SL, Platinum Reserve and the sporty PRO-4X grade with standard off-road features such as 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with all-terrain off-road tires, Bilstein off-road shock absorbers, electronic locking rear differential and skid plates. The TITAN XD Platinum Reserve grade features premium leather-appointed heated seating, dark chrome exterior trim, two-tone paint treatment, leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood insert, 20-inch dark chrome aluminum-alloy wheels and much more.

Following the launch of the 2016 TITAN XD Crew Cab in December, the new TITAN will be offered in three cab configurations, two frame sizes, three powertrain offerings and five grade levels. More information on the full lineup will be available at a later date.