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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Great Light Duty Pickup - 2003 Nissan Frontier
By yader84 - December 24 - 1:57 amI test drove all the light duty trucks before I bought this in 2007. Tacoma was small, lower to the ground, and more bouncy. Mazda felt loose, Ranger couldnt touch the interior space. The Nissan is stable, feels larger than others, has great towing capacity (3000#), and I get 27 mpg. For the size, it has power you wouldnt expect. Best of all, it has had no major problems, and thats at 175,000 miles.
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Buy It - 2003 Nissan Frontier
By Ole Miss - December 22 - 4:26 amI bought my Nissain Frontier new in November 2003. Ive owned Toyota, Chevy (Luv), Mazda, Ford small pickups. I like to have a small truck. If you need a heavy hauler, get a full size truck. Ive put 65,000 miles on the truck and have not had a single problem. It tows a trailer with ease and goes from city to highway driving with ease. Its quieter on the Highway than my Honda Odyssey. I get 20 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway which is better gas mileage than most get. Only bad I can say the A/C compresser has always had a bone chilling "clang" when it kicks in.
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2004 Nissan Frontier - 2004 Nissan Frontier
By dougiefresh321 - December 21 - 2:00 amI love this truck. It was refreshing to see that a car company did not drop their design team on their heads like with the American car designers. Buy American? Dont think so. Buy Nissan and be happy.
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2001 Nissan Fontier 2x4 reg cab - 2001 Nissan Frontier
By Newton1234567 - December 15 - 10:00 amI have been impressed with this pickup. The only problem is that the rubber seals around the plastic fender flares are comming unglued. I hope its covered by the warranty. I have drived a few 8hour days and its pretty comfortable for a reg cab bench seat.
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The BEST - 2002 Nissan Frontier
By Garik - December 15 - 10:00 amhave owned the vehicle for almost a year, and not regretting it. The best truck/suv in its line, enough space for everrything with long bed option.
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Great value and reliability - 2007 Nissan Frontier
By Mozart - December 9 - 1:13 pmI have driven both Toyota & Nissan trucks. My last truck was an 01 Tacoma 4WD crew cab. When looking for a new truck, it really came down to price. There was no way I could get into a Tacoma for anywhere near the price I got for the Frontier. The truck is much roomier than my 01 Taco. More HP and much better ride on the highway. Its quieter, the seats or more comfortable, with a better view. Same MPG rating too. Bed could be longer. Needs better interior finish.
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shopped for a 2018 bought a 2015 - 2018 Nissan Frontier
By robert - December 8 - 5:18 amI ended up with a 2015 with 45000 miles on it. Not many bells or whistles but i only wanted a work truck. Price difference between 2018 and this 2015 was almost $9000.00 the main reason i went this way. So far looks like it will be a good truck for what i want gas mileage seems on the low side for a 4 cylinder other than that pretty much what i expected for the price. Time will tell .
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Nissan Quality w/No Legroom - 2002 Nissan Frontier
By BlackIron - December 8 - 2:00 amIm 63" and owned my 2002 Nissan Frontier for 13 months. The outside of the Nissan is sharp when you get it decked out with the running boards, the body moulding, and the overhead racks, and not an ounce of problem out of it the whole time. The interior front seats are fine...plenty of room for two people...but there is ABSOLUTELY NO leg room in the back seat of this vehicle...the long bed is nice if you haul things and came in handy several times.
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NOT BAD FOR THE CASH!! - 2002 Nissan Frontier
By NISSAN_DRIVEN!! - December 8 - 2:00 amI have the same clunking in the front end after one week!! Americans can NOT build quality in the states... Truck looks very cool, great price, great deal on my trade from this dealership as well. This is for all you people complaining about the GAS MILEAGE, its a TRUCK get over it or drive a compact car!!!!
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Excellent in so many ways - 2005 Nissan Frontier
By David - December 4 - 6:33 pmI have had the NISMO Crew Frontier for quite a while now, and I KNOW that this is the last vehicle I will buy. I fully intend to drive this truck till the wheels fall off. Pretty much everything is gravy... first off, it is love at first sight on styling. Interior is decidedly untrucklike, in fact better than most sport sedans. Power and handling is exceptional, in all situations (I have driven it in ice, rain, LOTS of pavement, snowy mountain roads and a bunch of Moab UT offroad). Amenities such as the Rockford-Fosgate systems are fantastic, and the cargo accessories invaluable. Only little gripes are the fuel economy is a bit low (although expected) and an external MP3 jack would be nice.
