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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  1998 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By rainh2o - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Pros: Handsome looks. Famously reliable 4 cylinder engine. Nice ride for a truck, especially with good replacement tires. Cons: The automatic is low on horsepower and towing capacity. The fuel mileage is unimpressive. OEM tires create excessive road noise. Lots of irritating rattles at 40,000 miles.

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  Problem Vehicle - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By 77 - April 6 - 10:00 am

  This is not a well built truck. I had 27 trips to the dealer for major repairs such as brakes, the ABS system failed twice, and I still have problems. Dealer support is almost non- exsistent, and contacting Nissan directly was useless.

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  Average - Miss my Ford - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By igcc - February 27 - 11:00 am

  Not impressed with build quality... Drive train is great, interior rattles n shakes. Have had numerous small issues with gas gage and rattles. Dealer service is absolutely the worst. Tried multiple dealers and all provided the worst service I have ever seen. Mechanics were poorly trained, and management had a "go away" attitude. This is not the Nissan I have loved in the past. I sold an F150 to get better gas mileage in the city, and I miss it.

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  Almost a good truck - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By Watercolors - December 19 - 10:00 am

  It’s been reliable & very utilitarian. The bed extender works well. Front seat comfort is good,back seat is OK. The handling is numb and the fuel economy is poor but it’s a four wheel drive truck. What is a problem is the paint and the carpets. The Aluminum colored bumper paint is falling off on the edges and on the roof rack. These are areas where its had little contact with anything. Also the carpet is discoloring. The trucks not been abused. Im going to take it to Nissan and see what they say but I dont have high hopes. On my previous Nissan truck there were similar problems and they walked away from them. I swore I wouldnt buy another but I did.

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  LEMon - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By pissedoff9 - November 13 - 9:56 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 06...it was an 05. It has cost me thousands of dollars since then with a number of problems. Fuel sending unit, 02 sencors , Starter, Then ...the first time it needs to be smogged because I;m in Ca. it is 1,970.00. Oh ya ...I had already replaced the radiator because it was leaking radiator fluid into the transmission. I did that myself for around 300.00. Now that I have had it smogged and can drive it to have the transmission checked...I find out the transmission needs to be rebuilt. $2,400 minimum. This thing has cost me almost 6,000 so far and barely has 100,000 miles on it. The dealer and Nissan USA both gave me the bird on every issue. Nissan sux

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  2011 Nissan Frontier 4.0L AUTO 4X4 S MODEL 1000 miles - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By sumncguy - October 10 - 11:30 pm

  V6 is capable but slow on starts, ok once revs are up. 4x4 is also capable in 4-6" snow. Seats + interior feel a little flimsy. Normally standards, Cruise + overhead drivers light not available on this model. Seats wife + I, our 13 + 9 year old comfortably. MPG is decent averaging 15 mph under varying conditions. 991 miles and 3 weeks of ownership. Overall, Im happy but some low grades, especially related to how the interior will hold up, indicate areas of concern at this point in time. I will return for a 6 month evaluation.

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  Great truck, BUT... - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By emg8160 - September 4 - 4:54 am

  I bought my 06 Frontier from an individual via Craigslist with 108k miles. I loved it for the 2 months I could drive it. Then, the tranny went out. Come to find out, this is common and Nissan never issued a recall. I found someone local who would install a re-manufactured tranny and new radiator (included all labor and fluids) for $4,000. I have been waiting for over 2 months to get my truck back because their "parts people" from Chicago had originally gotten the wrong parts number for the tranny and are now waiting for a solenoid so they can complete the rebuild... I am now in the position that (if I ever get the truck back) I have more in it than its worth so I HAVE to drive it now...

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  Why not to buy a frontier - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By trebor - July 30 - 11:13 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this truck, the suspension had been squeaking since about 3,000 miles and the dealer hasnt been able to fix it, there have been several recalls, as well as many adjustments made to the doors to keep them from hitting other panels. Overall it is a fun truck to drive, but a pain to own. This truck had been at the dealer a total of 22 days having problems fixed.

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  Great truck if you dont need a warranty - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By 142Nism07 - May 25 - 6:26 am

  Very fun truck to drive. Practicle, especially since it has bigger capabilities than its size. One downfall is the service provided by Nissan. Every problem that has occured with this truck, was turned into a big headache for myself. Currently my dealer refuses to acknowledge that my 6spd clutch has a defect and wants to charge me over $1200 for a new one. I officially documented the complaint at 15k miles though I had the issue from new. There are several cases of this specific defect, which should be warrantied. My dealer refuses. Love the truck, hate the service, and I reccomend buying an automatic, due to relaiability. This is not the only problem with the truck, just the most prevelant

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  BAD BAD BAD - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By me_shell - February 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought my frontier used in 1999. I am currently at 104000 miles. It has been one problem after the next with this truck. From all the wires behind the radio "mysteriously" melting, to the brakes, to replacing the clutch twice, to tail gate latch breaking, to the muffler, to the radiator, and the list goes on and on and on. Im finally trading it in tommorrow. YIPPIE! I should have done it earlier, but I just kept thinking that this problem will be the last, until all of a sudden more money than Id like to mention has been poured into it. However, it should be noted that I likely got a lemon.