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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  Frontier Review - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By stratamite - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I like this Truck alot. It is not the smoothest ride out there, but it does alright. Gas milage bites! A little over 200 miles on a 13 Gal. tank. It is very reliable and starts well in cold weather. It loves the winter driving! Id recomend the Fontier.

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  Wife LOVES this truck! - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Bryan - April 25 - 9:23 am

  So far so Good! The truck was bought in Jan 2008 and my wife only has 6000 miles on it. But fuel economy of 14 my rear end....she gets 12 and 13 if lucky! Now I will say we put a Flowmaster exhaust on there (which sounds GREAT!) and that has helped some with gas mileage. I reconmend everyone doing that to their truck. Now we did go on a road trip and got 20 mpg but that city mileage hurts. The interior is plasticy but no biggie......I mean it is a truck. Smooth shifts, powerful V-6, love the looks, etc. Other than gas mileage we have no complaints.

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  Watch your spare tire... - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By ctom - April 21 - 10:04 am

  Bought an SE King Cab and have liked it with the manual and V-6: great acceleration and fun to drive. My issue is that despite having paid for Nissan spare tire lock, the spare was stolen within weeks and Nissan is refusing to do anything. The ease of stealing spare tires is big issue for Nissan trucks & SUVs (I had two stolen off 2008 Pathfinder) and its very hard to find a way to secure them. Almost every Nissan SUV owner in my neighborhood that Ive spoken with has same issue. Dealer said Nissan lock would suffice, but the thieves just bypassed it and removed everything from above the spare - and yes, they also stole the lock!! Will cost me $1,000 to replace it all. Very unhappy...

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  Not ashamed of this vehicle - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Mark Moosa - April 18 - 4:20 pm

  This truck makes my 3rd midsize vehicle from Nissan. Has everything, power, sound, comfort, style. At 70mph I get 20.3mpg, at 55to 60mph I get 25.3mpg. But I would suggest buying an extended warranty (1000,000) I had a rear end replaced due to oil seeping from axile, driver seat rattle, and water leak due to factory not connecting sunroof drainage hose to firewall. But all of these problems where resolved easily with warranty.

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  New vs. Old - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Dayve - April 18 - 1:56 pm

  I traded in my 01 Supercharged Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 with 160K + miles, having had no problems with it, on an 07 Frontier. The turning radius is horrible. The drivers door should have a handle on it; when open and you are seatbelted in, it is hard to close. Console should be forward to use as an armrest or be moveable. The dash has several creases and pieces, where dust and dirt can get, just does not look finished, and looks worse than my 01 dash. My gas mileage mixed driving is 17.7, which is 3 mpg better than my underpowered 01 SC Frontier. Love the sunroof, the Nismo sits very high, stereo is nice, mileage read out good, overall very happy.

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  vibrating ride - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By agrivated - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought this and has vibrated from new.dealer says they all do it.it now has 1900 miles on it ,has had 3 sets of tires.dealer says he wont do anymore to it.im stuck with it.will not recommend this truck and will not buy another.performance very poor.

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  2001 Nissan Frontier - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By thedevilsadvocate - April 15 - 12:30 am

  This truck is rock solid - it was designed to work. The larger Frontiers are for play, this truck is entirely for utility. The gas mileage wasnt bad at about a consistent 22 mpg; I used it as a student commuter or to haul my motorcycles. I never had a single mechanical issue with this vehicle (I logged 60,000 miles!). The engine is very easy to work on (I used to be in mech.engineering), insurance is dirt cheap and the body panels are easily recoverable from eBay at decent prices. This truck is much like a Lego set if you ask me.

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  just bought one - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By keebler - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my 02 Frontier CrewCab with the 6 bed, and althoughive only put 25 miles on it, it is so nice. i think i wount have any regrets for buying it.

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  Nice Truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By MyFrontier - April 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Frontier new with 22 miles on it. The computer went out from water running in it by a pinched condensation tube from the AC, Nissan fixed it with no hassle. My frontier is paid off now and I just put in a new battery. Other than that no worries from this great little truck.

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  Brand new truck stalling in the middle of the freeway. - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By subart - April 9 - 7:11 am

  Bought my car in May of 2010. Within a month or 3,000 miles later car stalled on the way to California from Phoenix. The engine just shut down right in the middle of the freeway, really scary as I had my whole family in there. Towed the car to the nearest dealer and they replaced a bad crank sensor. 7,000 miles and five months later - same thing. Car stalls, tow to dealer - again - bad crank sensor. I have been scared to drive it ever since - just short trips around town. The dealer just shrugged shoulders - just a couple of bad sensor in the row? This is bull. A brand new car and POS has a recurrent catastrophic failure. This is my first and the last Nissan. Should have bought a Toyota...