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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  Best value - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By shopguy - November 29 - 4:06 pm

  This is my fourth Nissan King Cab. I expect this one to last as long. The last one went 164K when the insurance totaled it. The prior truck has 278K and is still running with only standard maintenance. The new V6 is great and I am avg. 22.1 mpg city/hwy. I need a truck for work & look at overall longterm cost. Vehicle quality compares to my other cars, an Acura and a Boxster.

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  DARN GOOD TRUCK - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By walter-911T - November 27 - 7:43 pm

  I purchased 04-dr. frontier 4x4 xe-v6. (xtra value pkg incl.) I brought this truck just on consumer reviews and prof. reviews. The Flag-pole nissan 30 miles delivered to my dad upstate ny home. I was a little p/o when the truck wasnt prepped, low on fluids in the truck. There was a prob.engaging the tran. P to D. was getting worse. Did bring it back to the d/s. I did express the lack of prep. and trans. The service mngr. was prof.&courteous. ALL IN ALL THEY TOOK CARE OF ME. All fluids were taken care of and the shift linkage had to be adjusted. U should here a click when stepping on the brake pedal to engage the gear-shift. Drives like a german car/truck.Great!- SOLID,HANDLES,& QUIET.

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  Cheap to buy, cheap to own - 2013 Nissan Frontier
  By robert_bell - November 27 - 3:36 am

  I bought this to tow our 3,500 lb Casita travel trailer. We added a Leer Cap. We have a 2013 crew cab SV with 4.0 2WD and 5-speed auto. The 265 HP is more than adequate and beats our old BMW X5 3.0 by at least 30 HP. Steering at highway speeds is vague and it wanders, but I noticed the tires are wearing on the inside and I believe the factory set the front-end with too much toe-out. The headlight aim needs adjusting, too. The sterro is OK, but the iPod starts by itself sometimes for no reason. We added add-a-leaf springs to the back for towing, as it sagged a bit when loaded. Overall, it was about what I expected for a $25,000 vehicle.

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  Great all around truck - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Nick in WA - November 23 - 2:13 am

  I have wanted a truck for the last 10 yrs so I finally bought it. It was either the Tacoma or the Frontier that I narrowed it to. The exterior of the truck is gorgeous. The interior has a lot of hard plastics but are assembled nicely. I am amazed how smooth the powertrain is in this truck. It provides plenty of power for passing on the freeway. The optional stereo sounds very nice. The audio controls on the steering wheel are handy as is the bluetooth. Seat comfort is very good in the front seats and acceptable in the rear. Fuel economy is about 16- 17 mixed and 20-22 on the freeway so far. Purchased for invoice plus $3000 in rebates. Nissan was a better value than the Toyota overall.

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  Another happy Pro-4x owner - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By albertr - November 19 - 2:43 pm

  Got the 2009 Pro-4x in black with leather seats. Like the truck, its fun to drive. Own it for just a week, I hope it will be as reliable as my previous Ford truck.

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  Frontier vs Tacoma - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Ray - November 16 - 5:56 am

  I did a lot of research, the more I looked the more I found supporting the Frontier as the superior truck. I drove both and also drove the Colorado. All drive similar with the Tacoma having a cushier ride. Questionable if thats what you want in a high CG vehicle. I bought the Frontier. Full box frame, 4 wheel disk brakes, 265 hp V6 on regular unleaded gas, sprayed on bed liner developed specifically for Nissan. It was really no contest. Toyota dealers would not even give me a price quote hinting that truck of the year warranted no price concessions. Nissan dealers wanted to make a deal and gave me the best deal.

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  Still happy after 1 year. - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By rl - November 15 - 3:50 pm

  Bought new to replace an 01 2wd Crew Cab SE which was a great truck. I was moving to the Midwest and wanted 4wd. Great advances since then, better in all aspects to the 01. Great motor with acceptable mileage for a truck. I get about 15-16 city, 21+ highway. Some folks dont like the interior, but I dont mind the plastic. Its put together well, and easy to keep clean. Gauges/controls are clear/logically ordered. Sound quality of speakers is good. I primarily an iPod via the aux jack. There is an iPod interface on the 2008s. Get that instead of the disc changer if you can. You might want to consider step rails as its relatively high off the ground.

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  142000 miles what to look for - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By wfcoalrun - November 12 - 7:23 am

  I bought this truck new. No problems until about 130000 mi. Tachometer works when it wants now. Timing chain guides wore out @130K, bent all the intake valves, fixed myself. Still a daily driver to work, has 144K on it now. Cannot get it to quit coding P1706 (park nuetral position switch on 5-speed manual). Dealer says to replace wiring harness, might solve problem. Truck has been good, so I bought a 2007 and drive 98 to work daily.

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  Easy to own - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By truck_guy - November 12 - 2:26 am

  Great truck with lots of power in the automatic v-6. No problems whatsoever, just changing oil and everything else continues to work fine. I never have to worry about the truck not working right. A very easy to own vehicle, and comfortable to drive.

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  98 frontier - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By AllenP - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought the truck new in 98, Nissan had some promotion going so I got it for 10,800. Great price considering the service Ive gotten. Had one major problem at about 80,000 miles, had a leak in the a/c system that cost about $600 to fix. Other than that only minor problems, head light and apparently a lot of people have the radio light go out like I did. Little sluggish on take off. All told, a great buy, my second Nissan and would not think twice before buying another one.