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 911 Carrera S
The Porsche 911’s trim structure has a niche for just about every buyer. For instance, a refreshed Carrera S has arrived along with 2025’s 992.2 update. So, we headed to Southern California for a First Drive of both the Coupe and the Cabriolet.
Its twin-turbocharged, rear-mounted flat-six may share an entry-Carrera displacement of 3.0 liters, but 473 horsepower is an 85-horsepower bump over the base Carrera and 30 HP for the S. The S’s 390 lb-ft remains, its torque curve staying strong as you roll the digital needle out to 7,500 rpms, shifting with the precision of Porsche’s eight-speed PDK.
Yes, the 2025 Carrera S receives the digital gauge cluster and push button start we’ve commented on before. Love it or not, there’s no denying it’s keeping up with the times. Meanwhile, the optional Sport Chrono package keeps time literally. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and the Sport Exhaust System is standard; so is Porsche Active Suspension Management, though PASM Sport, which drops the car 10 mm, is optional, as is real axle steering.
And, if you’re worried about losing some performance by going with the drop-top, don’t be.
ALEXANDER KELLUM: “I mean, if you look on paper, the main difference is– you’ll see on the spec sheets– the cab is about 200 pounds heavier; and the 0 to 60 times, I think it’s two-tenths of a second slower. To just kind of be blunt about it, uh, anyone who buys this and then drives it, you know, every day or on the weekends or through the canyons like this, you’re probably not really going to notice that.”
The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S is everything we loved about the base model, just kicked up a notch. And that does unfortunately include the price, starting under $150,000.
And we’ll have more Quick Spins soon!
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
We’re seeing more and more automakers fill in the gaps in their lineups with electrification, like adding a hybrid twist to a legacy model. Subaru has done just that with the 2025 Forester Hybrid, and they’ve done it in a way that doesn’t sacrifice any of the original’s strengths.
First, the powertrain is still all-wheel drive, spurred by a familiar 2.5-liter boxer-four paired with Subaru’s next-generation hybrid system and a Lineartronic CVT; and while its 194-horsepower output is appreciated, more so are its fuel economy figures. We’re talking 35 mpgs combined, with eight hours of California drive time getting us closer to 37.
BEN DAVIS: “What I like the most, and I think what most loyal Forester buyers are going to like the most about this hybrid is that there’s no compromise over the regular gasoline version Forester, especially in regards to fuel tank size. It’s the same 16.6-gallon tank, and in the Hybrid, where you’re getting a mixed 35 miles to the gallon, that equals a 581-mile range. You do have to give up a spare tire for that, but it’s a small price to pay, I guess.”
Some light off-roading further showcased the Hybrid’s capabilities, exactly what we’d expect from a Forester.
The exterior is nearly identical to the gas-only model, except for wearing the appropriate “hybrid” badging. Inside, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen come standard. If you’re at all familiar with the current Forester, this interior will look very familiar.
And pricing for the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is, fortunately, in familiar territory, too, starting around $35,000, about five-grand more than the Base gas model.