Impressive Rookie; New pickup scores in a tough field.(Auto File)(Nissan Motor Company Ltd.)

"This is an in-your-face, up-in-your-grille statement to Detroit that somebody else can build a good full-size truck.''

That's a logbook note from one of our editors about the Nissan Titan pickup. He also wrote, "Compare this to the new Ford F-150 and you'll see Nissan is using that tried-and-true tactic of under-promising and over-delivering. Plus, in the all-important power department, the Titan's engine has more displacement, more horsepower and more torque than Ford's optional big motor.''

With the F-150-the full-size truck market sales champion-as the new truck's target, the Titan's 5.6-liter V8 power does edge the top F-150 V8, a 5.4-liter Triton. The Nissan engine's 305 hp and 379 lb-ft of torque overtake the Ford 5.4 by 5 hp and 14 lb-ft. Those Titan horsepower and torque numbers also arrive at 100 and 150 fewer revs, respectively, than the F-150's.

Despite the Titan debuting late last year, owners who contacted us seemed as enthusiastic as longtime F-150 loyalists. Those Titan fans applauded the Nissan's roomy interior, and we can see (and hear) why.

The Titan is huge inside, with lots of room, even in the back seat. Our test truck's sticker says, "Largest interior of any 1/2-ton pickup truck.''

Our test Titan was a 4x2 SE Crew Cab (the other model is the King Cab, with a longer bed, shorter cab and shorter rear doors). The owners also like the pleasing sounds of the stereo (a Rockford-Fosgate 350-watt system that is standard or optional on most models).

But turn off that stereo and the interior is quiet for a big truck, though several owners told us they enjoyed hearing the Titan's rugged exhaust note.