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 Truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By JJ - May 22 - 12:33 pm

  This is a great truck. POWER like no other. Ive already added a K & N air filter for added HP, and the magna flow dual exhaust adds a much deserved growl to this truck.

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  Best mid-sized crew cab of all - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By D. St-Pierre - May 16 - 2:40 am

  Ottawa, Canada - Bought my Majestic Blue Frontier just before Xmas. I test drove all the competitors (Dodge, GM, Toyota and Honda) and at the end of the day the Nissan beat out the Toyota. The others did not compare. The clincher was overall price vs. options. This is not a truck for those looking for a Cadillac ride with truck utility. That being said, this is a very functional vehicle that can take anything thrown at it and then some. It has power to spare and will fit well with the hard core truck user or the urban tinkerer/craftsman/sportsman. City driving is harder on the mileage (14.9litres/ 100km) but the highway numbers are much better. The ride on the highway is exceptional

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  Nissan 4 Alaska - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By g&s - May 16 - 2:00 am

  After looking at Ford, Mazda, Jeep, and Toyota our Frontier fit our budget for our move to Alaska. We tested it out by packing our bags for a two week Christmas/New Years Vacation from Tucson to Vancouver, WA. The trip up was great and uneventful, but on the way back home a winter blizzard was closing the interstate as we drove through it. While other 4x4s were using their chains, ours stayed in the box and the Nissan handled the snow-packed roads with extreme confidence. We are looking forward to taking this tough truck off the road in North Central Alaska for the next three years. Creature comforts and toughness at a very reasonable price.

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  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.

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  2011 Frontier Crew CAB SL - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By glockamole - May 14 - 7:23 am

  I had a Toyota Tacoma Doublecab TRD Off-Road, which I loved. I reluctantly traded for a car. When I came to realize I couldnt handle not having a truck, I began looking for a Tacoma or Frontier. When it came down to price and creature comforts, the Nissan Frontier was, hands down, the best choice for me. Toyota dealer was barely willing to negotiate with me on the price of a Doublecab 2WD. I ended up with my frontier, which has leather, sunroof, heated seats, nerf bars, bed extender, XM, and roof rack for roughly $4,000 less than the comparable Tacoma I was looking at. Ride and capabilities are every bit as good and it looks great. The only thing I miss is the back up camera in the Tacoma.

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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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  Very useful truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By MMModem - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This truck is amazing. It does everything you ask it to do and more. Sure it could use a little more power but nothing is perfect. Ride quality is extremely smooth and quiet. Interior design is almost perfect. Plenty of space and high quality materials. I dont know what they are saying about the backseats, but they seem plenty roomy to me.

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  You had me at supercharged! - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Jhn - April 29 - 7:46 pm

  I have owned many different makes & models, this truck made me a fan of Nissan. I wish it had better gas mileage but with a super charged V6 I cant complain to much. I am sort of a shade tree mech. & the ease of changing brakes, oil, filters, etc. was actually surprising. Thank you Nissan for a truck with great style & performance. The next time I buy a vehicle it will be another Nissan.

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  JBS3 - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By JBS - April 24 - 11:16 am

  I tried a Toyota and the Frontier felt more what I look for in a truck. It handles very well. The breaking system with 4 wheel disks are excellent with no pull or noise. The design of the cargo bed is outstanding. The bed is coated and the extended bed with the cargo tie down system gives you fexability. The power is most impressive. I have to drive in Philadelphia and they are the most selfish and inconsiderate drivers. Because of the power I am less likely to be cut off when pulling onto a highway, something that happened to me all the time. My past Frontier had 169,000 miles on it, original clutch. I hope this one gives me the same reliability.