Overview & Reviews

The Nissan Frontier has long been a popular choice with consumers who don't need the greater towing and hauling abilities of a full-size pickup. Since its debut, the Frontier has offered four-cylinder or V6 power in a rugged yet livable package. There have been two long-running Frontier generations thus far. The current truck is bigger and more powerful than the original and could be considered more of a midsize pickup than a compact, but either one should work out well for a broad spectrum of consumers.

Current Nissan Frontier
The latest Nissan Frontier is offered in extended cab (King Cab) and crew-cab body styles. Trim levels include the economical S, the better-appointed SV, the more rugged Pro-4X and the top-of-the-line SL (crew cab only). There is also a Desert Runner package available for RWD models that provides the Bilstein shocks and some tougher styling elements inspired by the 4WD-only Pro-4X.

The extended-cab S and SV trim levels offer a 152-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission as standard. A five-speed automatic is an available option. A robust 4.0-liter V6 making 261 hp is standard on the Pro-4X and all crew cabs. It is also an option on the SV extended cab.

In our reviews of the Nissan Frontier, we've been impressed by its rugged capabilities and easy-to-drive nature. It feels more maneuverable than its boxy styling and workaday purpose would suggest, and the optional V6 engine makes acceleration respectably quick. Downsides include uncomfortable rear seats and the lack of a regular-cab body style. Overall, we highly recommend the Frontier to anyone who needs pickup functionality in a reasonably sized package.

Used Nissan Frontier Models
The current, second-generation Nissan Frontier arrived for the 2005 model year. Compared to the original Frontier, the second-generation model offers bigger dimensions, new styling inside and out and stronger engines.

If you're considering a used Frontier from the current generation, there have been a few changes to look out for. The Desert Runner model and several upgrades like a rearview camera and dual-zone automatic climate control were not available until the 2013 model year. Prior to 2010, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and stability control were optional, so we'd suggest making sure a used Frontier has these important safety items. Prior to 2009, the Frontier's styling was a little different, and the Pro-4X was known as the Nismo off-road package. Nissan added the long-bed version of the Crew Cab model starting in 2007.

The first-generation Nissan Frontier debuted for the 1998 model year. It didn't offer as much muscle or variety as the current model, but as an affordable used truck, it could still be a solid choice. This model was angular and boxy outside and similarly utilitarian inside. Initially, Nissan offered regular cab and extended cab (King Cab) body styles with a 143-hp four-cylinder engine across the board. A 3.3-liter, 170-hp V6 engine became available as an option the following year.

A Crew Cab variant with four regular doors debuted in 2000 and was the first such compact pickup truck on the market. Unfortunately, the Crew Cab's backseat wasn't exactly full-size, nor was its abbreviated bed. Nissan added the Desert Runner trim level in 2000, combining the look of the four-wheel-drive Frontier with two-wheel-drive economy.

In 2001, a face-lift gave the Nissan Frontier a more aggressive look. The fenders wore bolt-on extensions, and the tailgate was more sculpted than that of any truck that came before it. This was also the first year for the supercharged version of the 3.3-liter V6, which produced 210 hp and 246 pound-feet of torque. A long bed and an "Open Sky" top (a huge power-operated fabric sunroof) for the Crew Cab were available in subsequent years.

User Reviews:

• 

  Chinese Firedrill - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By fpkarau - September 30 - 8:03 pm

  This is a company vehicle used extensively offroad. Performs well off road. It comes without skid plate and managed to tear oil pan off first 2 months we had it going through a mud hole on a construction site that every other rig on the mountain traversed without incident. Aluminum rim destroyed first month and needed to replace all stock tires as well as they are junk. Most irritating thing about this unit is that is has no keyless entry yet only one key tumbler in drivers side door only. Result is that if you want to enter vehicle from passenger side you have to do a "Chinese firedrill" around the truck to open unit from drivers side door and return to passenger side. Moronic design.

• 

  didnt due enough homework - 2013 Nissan Frontier
  By budelman - September 18 - 10:03 pm

  Driving truck under 60 mph rides very nice , have to check speed as dont realize your going 60, at 70 mph have to have two hands on steering wheel to keep in the lane, at 80 mph need two fisted death grips to keep vehicle on road feels like driving in hurricane vehicle all over the road, Interior plastic or vinyl scraches too easy pernament scuffs marks just from work boots only 2 weeks old and notice blemishes on back plastic bed wall, although its not possible looks like sun damage, Engine while driving is always shifting gears and speeding up on its own. I have a commercail A license and have driven every type of vehicle you can think of tractor trailer to bucket trucks,. I usally get g

• 

  Pass on this one - 1999 Nissan Frontier
  By Vinny3030 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Not a well built truck. Gas miliage poor for a 4cyl. Many repairs needed to this truck under normal use. Very slow pickup. Does not handel well.

• 

  01 Nissan Frontier v6 - NOT Recommended - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By BaLLSnatch - January 3 - 3:03 am

  I would never recommend this truck to anyone. I am not saying it is horrible, it is just not a "truck". To begin with, these 3.3s are VERY underpowered. I would expect a small underpowered motor to have great milage, Yet they are HORRIBLE gas hogs !!! You might as well have a 350 v8 !!! Because, No matter city or highway driving and no matter what type gas, you can EXPECT 15 miles per gallon. The exhaust manifolds crack after about 75k miles, but, LUCKILY they are relatively easy to change. Handling is no good. After a lot of modifications and upgrades I still do not like it. (I take care of my vehicles and expect the most from them) I have 98 S10 which I would RECOMMEND any day over it!

• 

  dud - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By golddust - May 16 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle appears to be sold for its looks; as a truck, it is next to worthless, especially given the that is equipped with a fake spare tire.

• 

  Avoid NISSAN! - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By cghoffpauir - February 12 - 9:02 am

  In May of 2012 the radiator failed on this truck and we had it replaced at the cost of $1000.00. My son drove this truck for three months after the radiator repair and then the transmission failed. We had it towed to the dealership and were told that the repair cost was going to be $7,300.00. We did some research and called about six or seven transmission shops in town and found one that could do the repairs for $4,500.00. So we had the truck towed to a new shop. The shop owner is very familiar with the “defect” and knows exactly what to do to repair it.

• 

  Avoid this Lemon - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By ikeburns - September 13 - 2:45 am

  This truck has been a lemon since the day I bought it. The knock sensor and the catalytic converters (yes, plural) go bad at 100k miles, and youre looking at 3k to fix all this, or else you cant pass emissions. Ive talked to mechanics and they say that they see this all the time with Nissan frontiers. Youll need to get the Nissan parts, because aftermarket parts arent compatible and youll waste your money, & still not pass emissions. The AC has gone out on me twice, and even the electrical components struggle. Ive only got 145k highway miles, and Ive struggled mightily with the catalytic converters, knock sensors, AC unit (broken twice), electrical, tailgate handle, door handle

• 

  Truck Stinks - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Kevin - June 20 - 5:30 pm

  I have had nothing but trouble with this horrible vehicle. It has been in service on average every two months costing me lots of money. The latest issue was a short in the wiring harness causing all of the back light to go out. $2.52 for the part and $152 in labor. This truck also had the fuel gauge issue costing me $474 to repair one year ago. Now that there is a recall Nissan has the gall to tell me that my vin falls outside of the range. What kind of double talk is that. There have been so many issues that there is not enough space to write them all. Stay away from Nissan. Bad news!!!

• 

  vibrating ride - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By agrivated - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought this and has vibrated from new.dealer says they all do it.it now has 1900 miles on it ,has had 3 sets of tires.dealer says he wont do anymore to it.im stuck with it.will not recommend this truck and will not buy another.performance very poor.

• 

  Brand new truck stalling in the middle of the freeway. - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By subart - April 9 - 7:11 am

  Bought my car in May of 2010. Within a month or 3,000 miles later car stalled on the way to California from Phoenix. The engine just shut down right in the middle of the freeway, really scary as I had my whole family in there. Towed the car to the nearest dealer and they replaced a bad crank sensor. 7,000 miles and five months later - same thing. Car stalls, tow to dealer - again - bad crank sensor. I have been scared to drive it ever since - just short trips around town. The dealer just shrugged shoulders - just a couple of bad sensor in the row? This is bull. A brand new car and POS has a recurrent catastrophic failure. This is my first and the last Nissan. Should have bought a Toyota...