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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  Little BIG truck! - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By rd - December 30 - 11:46 pm

  AWESOME ! This is without a doubt the best truck for the buck Ive owned since I bought my first Toyota in 1982. What those trucks did for Toyota this truck should do for Nissan. I read that the output of this 6-cyl was near the F-150 and I had towed with the F-150 (22 ft Boston Whaler Dauntless), so I bought it. It pulls her out of the ramp in the snow and ice we get here in Montana, 4-wheels the mountains and gets over 20 MPG if I dont go over 70 MPH. It does a whole lot better on premium and lousy if you put in alcohol contaminated gasoline. I know that because I took this truck across country towing a smaller boat. Geared right for whatever you want a truck to do.

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  2008 frontier - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By john - December 25 - 3:10 pm

  Took my family of five on long trip, two of my boys are 6-2 180 pounds and with no complaints about room. Love the power, this truck pulls better than my v8 Chevy

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  Great truck sized right! - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By FKNJR - December 22 - 5:10 pm

  Bought my 2006 Nissan Frontier LE Crew Cab in Sep 2006 new from the dealership. As soon as I test drove it, I bought it. I love the look of the roof rack (looks like the Xtera) The utilitrack bed system is awesome! I have hauled so much stuff in this truck. I added a Flow Master 40, and an AFE Cold Air Intake. Wow! What a difference. Much better sound, better power. MPG city went to about 18, hwy went to around 24. The only thing I dont like is the legroom. Im tall, so its difficult to find anything that has decent legroom. The adjustable seats are great, and very comfortable. Unless you are a general contractor or living on a farm, there is no need for a truck any bigger than this.

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  comfortable truck - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By jcl - December 20 - 1:56 am

  A big improvement over my old chevy S10. Very quiet and comfortable highway ride, reasonable economy (19.1 mpg after 1000 miles). Impressive acceleration and thoughtful bed rail system are appreciated. However, it lacks in available amenities. Every road bum sends an annoying jump up the steering wheel. The auto-transmission keeps going into overdrive too soon, its especially bad going uphill and the manual override is poorly implemented. However, at startup, the rear wheels spin very easily. The gas pedal is too light and has poor feedback. Also, the brake feels soft and unresponsive. Lastly, I keep activating wipers inadvertently - too close to the steering wheel.

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  Awesome truck! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Steve - December 18 - 8:46 pm

  I love this truck! It has been an incredible driving truck since my first test drive. I really was not even in the market, having just purchased a 2006 Tundra doublecab 4x4 SR5. We were at the dealership looking for a ride for my son, and I just wanted to take a ride in one, and thats all she wrote. Its a much better ride than the land barge I just bought a year ago. The v6 power plant Nissan uses is vastly superior to the gas guzzling v8 in the Tundra. I average about 20 mpg (6 spd. manual). The best I could muster in the Tundra was 16.5 mpg. I actually got 23.5 mpg on a trip to the coast! Way easier to park in tight situations than the Tundra. Check out the Frontier, it wont disappoint!!

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  Nice but could be even better - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By EarlR - December 18 - 1:20 pm

  I bought my Frontier as a dual-purpose vehicle; a tow rig for my 240SX race car, and off-road toy for mountian trips. As a tow rig the truck is just adequate; the long wheel base (CC/LB) makes it very stable, but the engine is a little underpowered. If I had known they were coming out with a 4L 265-HP version I might have waited to buy my truck. As noted, the gas mileage is pretty poor, but part of that surely stems from the low gearing (4.63:1 rear) needed to compensate for the underpowered engine. OTOH, as an off-road truck it shines. With just a change of tires (M/Ts) the truck turns into a 4-wheeling beast; I can go everywhere my buddys Jeep Rubicon goes-until the beds starts to drag :)

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  Nissan rocksnroll but doesnt fall down - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By yellowsnoopy - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This truck is great. It does every thing I tell it too and then some. Handles awesome in the snow and on the dry roads. The best part, is that I am a single mom and all four of my children fit perfectly. We hit the river and the snow and everywhere in between in my perfect truck. We all feel so very safe in our truck, thanx Nissan.

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  Very Satisfied - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By bob - December 13 - 11:50 pm

  Second crew cab owned and very happy with performance and power. Have lots of power to pull a 20 ft. boat without feeling like youre pulling something. I would recommend to anyone to get the V6 for power with great mileage.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Thunda - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Excellent handling and the super charger provides great power. Looks cannot be matched by any other compact.

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  A "Useful" Truck - Does it all! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By BearsFan34 - December 11 - 7:00 pm

  OK like Thomas the tank engine, its useful for most needs of the average household! I bought this truck after repairing a customers SE in the Body Shop and was blown away with the 4cly performance. It handles a yard and a half of mulch with no strain, is well as several trips of 12 bags of leaves to the dump with the bed extender used, commuting 50 miles a day for work getting 22.7 mpg! Savings on the same range traveled with my prior 06 F150 is 6 gallons a fill, thats over $600.a year saved based on 2.75 a gallon-WOW! Mine came with the "old man"(grin-see other post!)options: A/Trans, power windows, door locks, sliding back glass, bedliner, bedextender, CD player-Great Truck!