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:

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  Clutch Problem - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Margaret Calenda - December 15 - 3:50 am

  The clutch "got burned out" according to the dealer here in Asheville, NC. I have been driving stick shifts since I was 16 (Im 57), have driven trucks and cars over 125,000 miles and owned for over nine years. Have NEVER had a clutch problem. Somethings wrong here.

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  frontier - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By yagermichael - November 9 - 10:00 am

  noisy motor bad gas miledge

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  Horrible Truck - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By Larry McEnnis - July 7 - 1:33 am

  Possibly the worse vehicle Ive every owned? All of the companies that write reviews for this truck want to praise it, then why didnt I get the same truck they rave about? The front suspension is horrible. It will not drive straight on the pavement, it wonders from side to side, and heaven forbid if you hit a pothole as it will throw the truck sideways. And talk about bump steer, Ive never experianced a truck whose steering wheel yanks to the side when you hit a bump. The steering will flat wear you out if you take it on a dirt road. It will want to pull the wheel side to side with every bump. I have owned trucks for 40 years and this is the worse. I cant wait to sell it.

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  still holding up! - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By nissan driver - June 16 - 10:00 am

  tough little truck!. i have over 150,000 miles for a 2000 4dr. i had it since 0 miles . a main problem has always been the a/c system. i use it day and night go out of town alot and use it for lots of other things. a very shocking thing is when i had a head on collision the air bags did not deploy. but more shocking was the truck had no frame damage and it was repairable. fuel economy is not very well and the horse power is very poor. but handles like a car i love that stable control.the custom off road wheels really make the truck stand out. factory alarm is very poor quality. after k&n and custom exhaust it consums more gas and has about the same power.

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  Pretender - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Morris - March 8 - 6:13 am

  The Nissan Frontier does not deserve to be rated near the top of this class. I wish I would have gone with a Toyota or even the Chevy. The build quality on the Nissan is average at best and the engine is very sluggish for supposedly having over 260hp. The gas mileage is poor for a compact pickup, I used to get better from my full size. This truck doesnt come close to measuring up to a Toyota in any way, and I would even rate the Chevy a better truck for the money. I would not recommend this truck to anyone.

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  Disappointed - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Billiard - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased another Nissan soley due to my previous XE-6 extended cab had no problems in the 9 years I drove it other than an $14 relay I replaced in the ignition system. Ive had this one for 2 years and have already had too many problems. After only 3 months, my belts came off while driving due to a failure of the part that keeps the tension in the belts. This year, the regulators in both the front windows had to be replaced when my windows would not roll up. A piece on the wind shield for the luggage rack broke and the whole assembly had to be replaced. And now, by CD player will not accept CDs.

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  Done with Nissan - 2014 Nissan Frontier
  By mazzaducci - August 21 - 3:03 am

  I purchased my 2014 Nissan Frontier Pro 4x brand new 01/11/14. I have 53,567 miles on it already and will tell you this, never buy Nissan! on board computer-junk, locks up, loses connection with my phone, and the whole "pay attention to the road" sign could not be more irritating! I drive mostly highway, on cruise control...I have NEVER seen 21 MPG EVER!! The most important factor in selecting this vehical. They somehow neglect to inform you when you purchase the truck of all the mileage related "maintenance" that needs performed. In the 15 months I have owned the truck the dealers have soaked me for over $2000.00!! REALLY!!? I still need tires! I now have 110000 on the truck. The computer is still junk, and they want $150 to upgrade the map. I havent gotten the 100000 maintenance yet and my wallet is terrified. The serpentine belt is squealing quite loudly, and with all the internal fluids that will Im sure "need changed" I have no doubt a $1000+ bill is in my future. I put a 3" lift and 33" tires on the truck. With the bad, I will say the good; I cant get it stuck. I also highly suggest a cold air intake system, it really helped increase power.

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  Nice rental but I wouldnt buy it. - 2016 Nissan Frontier
  By Craig Laughlin - August 16 - 2:33 am

  Ive had the 2016 rental 3 weeks while my car is getting repaired from an accident. I enjoy driving the truck as it has plenty of power and handles very well, but the mileage is nowhere near its EPA rating. Im getting only 12-15 mpg with 2/3rd of more of my driving on highways. A lot of full size trucks do better. What really surprised me is the lack of small features Ive grown accustomed to in my GM vehicles. The lights are manual - you have to turn them on and off. Cmon! I had a 2003 Chevy S10 pickup (base work truck model) that had automatic lights. This Frontier is a loaded model and it doesnt have this feature. It also lacks a vehicle travel computer showing instantaneous and average speeds and gasoline consumption, miles until empty, etc., nor an outside temperature readout. I read through the manual to find out if they are hidden behind some function on the radio/info center. Every GM vehicle Ive had since 2007 has all these as standard on every model and trim level. Also, it didnt have the rear camera, though the manual indicated some models have it. I expected it on a loaded 4wd full cab 4x4. Again, a feature that GM is making standard on all vehicles.

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  Looks great, good interior, but problems - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By RJL - June 22 - 10:00 am

  My fuel system was replaced after repeatedly overflowing (see other owner comments), my ABS light goes on and off but a problem cannot be determined b/c it never is "on" at the dealership (so much for computer memory), and my automatic window needed repair. I was one step away from successfully completing a Lemon Law case against Nissan (3 visits to the dealer without a resolution) - they finally brought in a fuel system expert from CA to fix the problem. The gas mileage still stinks!

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  Not all it cracks up to be - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By broncobubba - June 10 - 2:00 am

  i got the truck on a friday, by the following tuesday i didnt want it anymore. at 200 miles the transmission started shifting real hard and iratic, to the point of when you get on the hwy it literally slams you around. another problem is after running the truck for a while when you stop at a stop light it runs rough and shakes. Another thing when fueling the pump doesnt sense the tank is full and keeps pumping and gets gas all over(bad valve in tank). Lastly occasionally when cornering the right side speakers cut out.