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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  Wait for the accessories - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Just Say No - February 26 - 12:33 pm

  The truck is great in the snow and on clean roads. I havent gone offroad yet. Im getting 12.4 mpg city and about 22 highway. Before you buy this truck, ask them what accessories are available. As of today, March 8, the answer is NONE! Ask them when they will be available..the answer is UNKNOWN. Nissan should not have put this truck on the market without being able to offer ONE of the many accessories like the trailer hitch, tool box, bed divider and most importantly, the soft tonneau cover.

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  The Best-of -the-Best! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Swat - February 18 - 9:10 am

  XE, kingcab, 4 cyl, 4x2, auto, bedliner, cruise, cd, priv/glass, slide-r-wind: excellent truck, tough, sporty and great on gas (23 mph in town). I chose over Ford, Toyota & Chevy. No comparison (quality + value). Daily driver. Big Nissan 4 cyl powers like the competitions 6 cyl! Rear suspension will handle heavy loads without dipping, "try that with an f150!" Ive owned Dodge, Ford & Chevy but Nissan sincerely is the best thus far.

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  Nissan king cab 2wd - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By vwtommy - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Much higher up than the comparable 2 wheel drive Toyota. Very solid and fun to drive. The stick shift shifts great. And less expensive that the Toyota. I think it is more truck for the money...Would purchase another and my other car is a 1998 Toyota T100!

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  I got the right truck - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By garrettb - February 15 - 11:21 pm

  Bought it brand new... now 1 year later going on 9k miles. Great truck always gets 19 mpg.. Great engine. 4x4 works great, tows very well. I have only a couple minor complaints... The passenger fold down seat rattles and drives me crazy. The turning radius is Terrible. My Armada U-turned Much better than this Frontier. Other than that I love the truck. It is a keeper for sure. Ive owned a Ford Ranger and a Chevy Colorado. This Nissan is by far the nicest truck of all them.

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  2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By bucc19 - February 11 - 9:50 pm

  Ive owned this truck for 2 years and Ive had NO problems. Traded my Tacoma in on this with no regrets. It has a better ride, more comfort and much better looks. Im now a Nissan guy.

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  Hooked on the King Cab 4cyl 5man - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By jkw - February 9 - 10:50 pm

  This is the third King Cab 4cyl 5/man since 1985. Nuff said.

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  Was dissapoiinted - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By nextride - February 9 - 11:29 am

  I bought this truck in 2010 in the 4WD exteded cab thinking it would be reliable and i wanted decent gas milage for a truck. It had 140,000 miles on it and the gas milage was not as good as i hped it would be average about 19 mpg. I will say that the 4WD works very good in the snow. For a while it was fine then slowly small things started to fail on it. These were not the end of the world but they were annoying. Finally the transmission went out on me on a road trip at 155,000 miles. I do not know if it was due to a fluid leak or if it just happened. But the repair will be very expensive since they only made it for two years and it comes as a unit with the transfer case.

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  Turning radius!!! - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By billodm - February 8 - 3:43 pm

  Excellent power and rides like a car. Plenty of room for my 6 foot frame. I had a full-sized 2006 Chevrolet crew cab that was easier to get into a parking space than my Frontier. Turning radius is terrible for a mid sized truck. Highway mileage isnt all that much better than the full sized Chevy 2 wheel drive, but city mileage is about 5 mpg better.(18-19 mpg). Headlights arent very good, fog lights should be standard.

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  2005 Nissan king SE V-6 Review - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Toodster33 - February 5 - 1:46 pm

  I have had my SE King Automatic V-6 for alomst 2 years now and have put 33,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. I have to say I love it. I would have bought a Crew Cab, but they are not available in long box. 5 Foot box just is not going to do it for me. Get on it Nissan. Shift points could be a little better to get more performance out of motor. But over all not too bad of a comprimise.

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  An Awesome Truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Big Papa Pump - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Get one loaded with all the features, you wont be dissapointed. I owned a Jeep Cherokee before this - what a pile of crap that was! The Nissan Super Charged Crew Cab Long Box is awesome! I added only the Nissan Bugshield (looks great) and a trailer hitch. I also tossed the cheap plastic bedliner and got Line-X spray-in bedliner instead. Its alot better & quiet! On top of the bed is a Jackrabbit retractable cover - it goes great with the Nissan rails! Maybe later Ill addbigger tires. A great truck - youll love it.