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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  Rock Solid - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Ed W - October 29 - 10:00 am

  After reading some of the comments on this web I must add mine. This truck has been fantastic. No problems, just oil changes and tire rotations. Just past 60K and still the original brakes. Not a rattle in the vehicle at all. Rides quiet and solid. Love the Rockford Fosgate stereo

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  Transmission mismatch - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By porsche - October 29 - 10:00 am

  4 cyl. has little power, the truck weighs a lot. the gearing is poor for the engine powerband, gears are to tall, shifting puts you too low in the next gear/lugging badly. if the trans had 6 gears instead of five it may work. gas mileage at 20-21 mpg is poor for such a gutless power-plant. get the 6 cyl. and power is great and you will get 18-19 mpg.

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  2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab XE - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Steve - October 24 - 3:13 pm

  I have the 2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab XE . It has the 5 speed manual transmission with powerful 4 cylinder engine which is also great on gas. I get a lot of nice compliments since Ive had it.

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  Great Truck!!! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By jaydog7 - October 18 - 7:23 am

  Have had a Chevy 1500 in the past, just traded in my Xterra. This truck has impressed me since the day I bought it. Great power, smooth ride. Gas mileage better than the 2002 xterra, even with the bigger engine. I have friends with Fords, Dodges (all 2005 or newer)that are full sized, would pick this truck every time. Price is great...performance even better.

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  2002 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By brandy - October 15 - 4:36 pm

  The truck drives great the only issue is the gas mileage but that is only becuase I was used to driving a 4 cylinder and this is a V6. Handles wonderful in snow, and rain. Looks nice and I love that we bought it.

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  2nd Frontier - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By 808blue - October 13 - 8:30 am

  This was my second frontier. Loved it, great MPG , good power for a 4 banger. Only really dumb move on Nissans part is even offering a truck without AC. I bought the truck second hand for a great deal, and other than having no AC whatsoever, the truck was awesome.

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  Best of the Best - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By naprat - October 12 - 9:16 am

  We test drove all makes and models of trucks. As soon as we drove the Frontier we knew it was the one. Like everything about it. The only thing we wish we would have gotten was the power package.

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  Nice ride. - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By Moe - September 26 - 7:19 am

  Turning radius is horrible. Fuel mileage leaves much to be desired. Could have more ground clearance but a 3" lift is very cheap allowing for 32" tires. That being said those are my only three gripes. Has lots of power for a V6. Warms up fast on cold days. Lots of handy storage compartments. Superior lighting was a must for me since I work at night hence I do a lot of night driving. The headlights are very bright without using high beams. The interior lights are also bright and encompass the entire cab. The rear seats fold down or up allowing for storage space for large objects you dont want in the bed of the truck.

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  Not too bad - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By bosoxer - September 24 - 8:33 pm

  This was my first Nissan and although Ive had some problems with it, I still really enjoy it. For some reason, my drive train was "falling off," so that was fixed. Had problems with my heating system, which still was completely fixed, and a few little things like an emissions sensor, and windows power unit. Im a bit nervous about how much has gone wrong in 3 years, as my truck only has 35,000 miles on it, and I do not ride it off- road. The power is tremendous in this truck. It really gets up and moves. The turning radius is horrible. The ride is smooth however. Keeping my fingers crossed on future repairs as my warranty ended this month. Would still recommend this truck.

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  Excellent truck so far - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By bosox - September 23 - 3:23 am

  Overall the truck is great and I love it.There are a few annoyances though. One is the passenger side jump seat flops down under hard braking or bumpy conditions (Still happens periodically even with the upgraded seat locks from Nissan).Second there are some squeaks, rattles, and vibrations, especially around my rear sliding window when it is open. Third and most annoying is that if Im coasting in neutral or I have the clutch pushed in the transmission rattles when going over bumps. Its really anoying on the trail and rough dirt roads. My dealer supposedly tested another manual frontier and said it was normal. Fourth is that the front of the truck picks up lots of bugs in the summer.