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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  2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab 4cyl Auto - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By EYECAT - October 3 - 4:06 pm

  I bought a new 2005 in Jan-06 in Jun- 07 I have 80,000 miles on it. This is my 5th Nissan I have purchased for use in my business and the only major thing I have ever replaced was a clutch at 200,000 miles. My last was a 1997 & I replaced 2 clutches, a starter & alternator. I traded it at 487,000 miles & the others were over 300,000 miles. I got them all from the same dealership. Now at 80,000 miles the transmission seal leaks & the flange in rear-end went. Nissan dealer said it would take 10days to get the part. The same dealer sent my mechanic the wrong part 3X. After 2 wks & 20 calls to corp. no one returns my calls & no answers when theyll have the right part made, no loaner.

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  Hurts so good . . . - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Richard911 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Nice rig. I had a 1994, same setup, 4cyl 5spd. Very dependable. Had a problem with the seats on long commutes. The seats would cut off circulation to my legs. I wound up retro-fitting some 280Z seats. I thought they had this solved in the newer rigs. No way! This is not the car for a 6 tall man.

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  Disappointment - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Joe - July 21 - 1:33 am

  The 4X2 V6 Frontier has limited power and handles poorly. Dont try to go up hill in 5th gear with the A/C on. After 8,000 miles the A/C compressor pulley started squealing and then broke off. this truck will get stuck in HARD PACKED sand with all season tires so get the All Terrain. The stock speakers blew out twice on both sides and the cd deck always froze up. I just replaced them with aftermarket due to the warranty expiration. The # 4 and #6 spark plugs are very hard to get to and the alignment has never been correct. Even after getting new tires and having an ajustment kit added it pulls. The clutch pedal squeaks after every rain so keep WD40 in the garage. Generic fender flares fade!!

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  pain to drive - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By tom - June 21 - 5:50 pm

  I owned the frontier for about 4 mo. Previously owned a gmc sierra ext. Cab 4 dr. I drive the frontier to work every day, siff suspension and jerking of the steering wheel when I hit a pot hole spoils the fun of driving. Ive never seen any car do that before. For some reason u cant turn wheels too fast when puling to park, even with two hands there seems to be strong resistance. Turning radius is awful, cant make a u-turn on a 2-way street, previous truck did it with ease. Engine is not as responsive as I would like it to be, everything is electronic even gas pedal. When need to quickly accelerate at 60 mph it takes 2 sec for transmission to downshift a gear and then it downshift one more gr

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  Repair Nightmare - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Mike - May 9 - 12:23 am

  I enjoyed the truck for the first 6 months and then the run on repairs started, first was new rackinpion system, then came the new steering column, then new tie rods, and now finally over $500 to find and repair the leak causing the Service Engine Light to stay on. This was the 5th Nissan Ive owned (2nd Frontier) and will be my last. Ive talked to several mechanics both Nissan and private and all have expressed the downward trend of Nissans reliability.

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  Gas Hog - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By shawn60095 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  My Nissan is a Gas Hog. I am getting 13 miles per gallon,in the winter, and 15 in the summer. I know why the differnce form weather to summer is the cold, and no my foot is not to the floor. But this kind of mileage is very very very poor. I live in the north and we have bad winter, I had to get snow tire because nissan put summer tires on a 4x4 truck(how dumb). I wish nissan would do somthing with the frontier. with out the supercharger they are the weakest small truck out there. I had a Toyota Tacoma with the v6 and was getting 19 to 20 year round. I should have kept my Toy.

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  Will not buy another Frontier - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Scot - March 1 - 11:03 pm

  This truck is very slow. I know it is a 4 cyl, but it has this habit of shifting into the highest gear when I need it the least (going uphill and accelerating). When I need to accelerate, I have to either press the pedal 1/2 way down to shift, or push the Over Drive button on the shift lever. Speaking of which, you cant shift into a lower gear if you have something plugged into the cigarette lighter. The shift lever is in the way. Also, the plastic plug to the cigarette lighter is always falling out. DO NOT DRIVE this truck in the snow. It will not make it up even the slightest of grades. Even with XL tires, the back end is very light and slips everywhere. Dont buy this death trap.

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  Not happy - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By NOT HAPPY - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Nice truck but the dash vents awful! I cant get comfortable in this thing! You cant get the air off your face makes eys burn! ! Also when driving on highway and getting to a town you have to turn up fan speed to stay cool! Temperatures are not consistent ! Also on my old Chevy you can blend air between top vents and floor! The Nissan is very limited with what you can do with the ac system !

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  Frontier Braker$$$ - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By DANO - December 20 - 10:20 am

  Researched several brands before purchasing Frontier. Looked to be the best value for the money. Fit and finish were tight with no apparent problems. Interior entry is difficult for tall or large frame people. Seating is comfortable on short and long trips. Interior is sparten with lots of vinyl. Only one recall for crash sensor in front due to corrosion. Rear box is functional with the spray-on bed liner, lock down hooks and bed extender are a complete loss for our usage. Tires make a lot of road noise which permeates thru cabin area, but is manageable. Brakes have been a major disappointment on this vehicle, both in stopping and replacement (22000) much to premature for 25k trk

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  Frontier Desert Runner - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By crazymagman - November 29 - 7:23 am

  Have had the truck just over a year and have not been overly thrilled. As a Desert Runner it is fun to drive off road and you can go anywhere you want, but it feels unconnected from the road and like it is working very hard on the interstate to keep up to speed. Its okay, but not quite as good as I would have liked.