The 2009 Nissan Titan 4WD is Nissan's full size pickup. Competition in this size is mostly homegrown and includes Ford F-150, Dodge Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500 and GM Sierra 1500, all of which also come in 4WD versions. At $29,000 for the base 4WD model, the Titan is competitive with the others.

The Titan is pushed down the road by a 5.6 liter V8 engine that generates 317 horsepower. It gets 18 miles per gallon on the highway and 14 miles per gallon in town -- about standard for what it is. The transmission is a five speed automatic. The Titan offers a flex-fuel version at no cost.

Compared to American made pickup trucks, the Titan has an aerodynamic shape. The distinctive front grille gives it a tight, mean look of a truck ready to do some damage on the work front, yet stylish enough for today's go anywhere truck. Available in four trim packages (XE, SE, PRO-4X and LE), the roomy interior is just as forward thinking as the exterior, reminding one of sitting in a modern fighter cockpit. The instrument panel is well laid out and easy to see and use. Changes in the Titan from last year are mostly minor, but they do include a Heavy Metal edition on SE and LE (with upgunned chrome) and captain's chairs in the PRO-4X.

As you would expect with a Japanese engineered vehicle, the Titan 4WD comes with a host of amenities standard, and even more available. There is a 40/20/40 split bench seat in the lower models, but buckets are available in the higher trims. Heated eight-way power seats with leather trim are also available. You can get a sunroof, a wireless connection and a sound system with up to ten speakers and a Rockford Fosgate premium amplifier, as well as dozens of other goodies.

Perhaps the big surprise for the Titan is the continued less than outstanding safety rating. In an area where Japanese vehicles usually shine, the Titan is amazingly "so-so". Anti-lock brakes are standard on all trim levels, as are a center high mounted stop light, side impact bars and occupancy sensor. Side and overhead airbags are available on all models, as is a panic alarm. The panic alarm, along with ignition disable and a security system, are standard on all but the XE.

The Titan 4WD got a five-star front driver, four-star front passenger rating, and a three-star rollover rating. The same as last year and decidedly below tested American pickups in both passenger front and rollover.

When it comes to automobiles, Japanese manufacturers usually deliver and Nissan usually delivers worth the money. Safety issues aside, the 2009 Nissan Titan 4WD is no exception. Overall, it is a worthy competitor for American models.