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:

• 

  My 2001 Frontier - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By trucklover - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Been a little over a year, and a little over 17,000 miles. 4 cylinder, auto king cab xe... I have to have a truck for work...and I dont have lots of money. The Frontier fits the bill. It hasnt faultered once, carries dirt, landfill, and all the stuff I need it to, and it looks "funky". I live in FLA, and its very, very hot now. Im amazed at how cold the ac is. Its not fast, wasnt meant to be...it doesnt corner well, and that doesnt matter to me. Little kid in on my block calls it "future truck." Good title, cause I plan on keeping this truck well into the future.

• 

  Great offroad but also a excellent grocery getter - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By mystro - October 10 - 9:56 am

  Nissan should have named the 4x4 the Mountain Goat series..the Frontier out performs every other truck in its class. Built like it looks.

• 

  Overall happy with my Frontier - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By BaseballFreak - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought it w/19K on it. Have put 17K on it in 2 years, has stood up very well. A/T, A/C and cruise. No mechanical probs at all. I nervously towed a stuffed 4x8 trailer 800 miles. Made it no problem. I really like that the A/T shifter is on the column. For tall guys it helps the legroom. Only problem has been because of chintzy plastic. Nissan should not have used plastic for the tailgate handle. The only other thing is the plastic "stuff" under the front bumper, seems flimsy. Overall though I really like it, my wife and I both feel it rides like a car.

• 

  1st year - Love that truck!!!!! - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By Peter Black - October 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had a great time with this truck. It handles well, and has power when you need it. Great truck! Great look! Highly recomend.

• 

  Solid, low maintenance truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By Ryan - October 5 - 7:40 pm

  I dont expect much from a vehicle, getting me where I need to go without much drama is all I require, and the Frontier did that in spades. It was reliable, handled well and offered a smooth ride. I purchased it in 2005 with 55,000 on the clock, and traded it in for a 2005 Ford in Oct. 09, Frontier had 117,000 on the clock then. During my ownership, the only thing other than basic maintenance items (tires, shocks, exhaust, bulbs) that it needed was a blower speed control module, which was a $20 part at the local parts store. I traded it in because I wanted something new and wanted to make a run with a domestic brand , time will tell if I made a wise choice.

• 

  4X2 aweful in the snow - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By terrx - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Truck is great if you live in an area of the country that doesnt get snow, otherwise by a 4X4. I bought the 4X2 because it was cheaper, wish I ought the 4X4, the truck kicks out and has poor traction in snowy weather conditions. Also truck has poor MPG. Other than that the truck runs smooth and handles bmps better than any vehicle I have driven.

• 

  My second Nissan Pickup - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Off road package - October 4 - 4:40 am

  I owned a 1995 Nissan, 4 wheel drive for over 10 years, so there was no question what my new truck was going to be. The quality, dependability, and comfort couldnt have been better. Being 5 foot 2 inches, the step sides are a great help. The visibility and control of the vehicle is the best I have driven. From experience, I know that they work hard and have been able to handle anything I have asked. The 4 wheel drive is a must where I live, and having no more hubs to lock is an added bonus. This truck has just about everything that anyone could want as a work horse, plus comfort and style! The only difficulty is adjusting to the interior differences from my truck of 10 years.

• 

  Dependability - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Don - October 3 - 11:06 pm

  We needed a replacement for our ageing `81 Toyota pickup. We liked the garagability and featured laden Nissan Crew Cab SE. We honestly enjoy driving the SE more than our `03 Honda CR-V, which we thought would never happen. The CR-V had set a safety president in our minds which our new Nissan has surpassed. The Nissans head rests are leveraged in the event of a rear-end collision and low air pressure sensors are included in each tire. Side air bag curtains and posi-traction are options on our truck. We also like the fact that power windows remain working after the ignition key is removed. Now we have lots of confidence inspiring horsepower with which to merge our California freeways.

• 

  It Works for Me - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By Tony T - October 1 - 4:23 am

  I bought this truck 3 years old with 48,000 miles on it. It had been used for a long daily commute. It is now over 62,000 miles. Soon after buying it I had a leaf added to the weak rear springs, replaced the original shocks with good YKB units and installed BF Goodrich Traction T/A tires (the Firestones were worthless in the winter). What a difference. It now handles and corners great. I put synthetic gear lube in the trans- mission - made shifting smoother. Changing the oil filter is a pain. The stereo had been upgraded by the previous owner. Seat comfort is decent on long trips.

• 

  good truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By jarius - September 28 - 3:40 am

  this is my first truck and my next truck will be a nissan