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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  Goodbye Chevy - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Ron Davis - June 28 - 10:06 am

  Bought my crewcab LE because I was tired of the problems and recalls with my 01 chevy extended cab sportbed. The chevy cannot compare with the Nissan in quality. Just opening up and closing the doors on the Nissan you can feel and hear the difference. Living in Tx I never thought I would by anything but a American made truck, but Nissan has done its homework with the nissan frontier. This thing drives like a mini titian. Unlike the Chevy I think the nissan is going to last me without the rattles and poor build quality. My wife had bought a Murano and I liked the quality of it so much that I bought a truck the next week. I now have a solid truck that rides well, is built well and looks great.

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  2007 Nissan Froniter - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Pistol00017 - June 26 - 2:13 pm

  Let me tell all of you out there that are going back and forth on the frontier and tacoma issue Ive had tacomas in every model from 00 to 2007. I just purchased 07 Nismo 4wd cc, there is no comparison. The newer frontier is a lot more solid truck than the new taco. Engine, trans, axles oh ya 32 spline vs 31 even interior. Overall the frontier is a much more solid truck.

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  BOUGHT A LEMON - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By JILL - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN APRIL 2002. HAD IT ONLY 6MTHS. WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT . MY HUSBAND WAS CHANGING MY OIL & FOUND IT HAD 2 LEAKS THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING & THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP. NISSAN WOULDNT PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT . THEY HAD IT FOR 40 DAYS REPLACING THE SEALS & THEY COULD OF JUST PUT A NEW ONE IN , I DID THE LEMON LAW ON THEM. I LOVED THE TRUCK OTHERWISE & ALWAYS GOT COMPLIMENTS ON IT . TOWING CAPACITY GOOD & GREAT IN THE SNOW. POOR GAS MILEAGE THOUGH. IVE ALWAYS HEARD GOOD ABOUT NISSAN THATS WHY I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BUT THIS EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME THINK DIFFERENT OF NISSAN

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  Great Little Truck - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By volfan32 - June 24 - 3:50 pm

  Ive had a Ranger, Dakota, and an S10, and this truck has been better than them all. A little underpowered and a gas hog, but the front is comfortable and the four doors are great. Bed extender for the short bed is a must. Great looks, well built, engine has plenty of aftermarket parts available. I will own another Frontier after my experience with this one.

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  GREAT TRUCK!! - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Eagleuno - June 23 - 9:16 pm

  This is my second Frontier. I have owned Toyota, Mazda and Nissan trucks in the past. This is a much bigger vehicle. I am getting 24.9mpg with a range of 420 miles! Very solid feel. I got the SE with a manual and the power package. (This was a HARD to find combination!) The throttle by wire takes a little getting used to but it works great. The turning radius is about 4 larger than the pre- 2005 models but again, this is not a small truck. It feels more like an Ford F150 but it gets almost 25mpg. And that is mostly city driving to boot. The manual transmission works great and really lets you maximize the mpg. I wouldnt get a 4 cyl with an automatic transmission.

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  Rides sporty & hauls great - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By ZLOVER - June 22 - 5:30 am

  LE with sunroof, automatic. Every option except limited slip,which with all the low end torque will squeal off the line too easily.My other car is a 350Z roadster. Bought with 50k and now at 85.000 miles. Using synthetic oil. Zero repairs and same tires.Will need brakes soon.Hit from behind while stopped by a Honda suv at 30 mph. Honda destroyed. Need a bumper and tailgate.

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  Should Have Been Truck Of The Year - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Matt - June 15 - 1:23 am

  When Toyota Tacoma was named "Truck of the Year”, I think it was done because of brand name only. When I looked at the Tacoma, I noticed that it did not have full-boxed frame. Part of the frame was C channel. The concept of a composite bed is nice on paperwork but the practical aspect is not. A pickup trucks rear end is light enough without making it lighter by using a composite bed. The V6 in the Frontier is generations ahead of the Tacoma in efficiency (hp to ci) and its done with 87 octane not 90+ as recommended by Toyota.

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  Best truck on the road - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By feyded1020 - June 12 - 12:49 pm

  I drove the Tacoma and the Frontier both considerably to compare, and the ultimate winner as far as price goes and value, is the Frontier. The Tacoma has a weaker engine, the bed is flimsy, as well as the frame that the truck rides on, its not a fully boxed frame(Only HALF of the truck is semi boxed, the rest is just open framed) like the Frontier(every respectable truck manufacturer uses fully boxed frames for a reason, they are more rigid and provide better towing #s). On top of all this, the Frontier rode better, offered way more power and way more features for less money. Overall the Tacoma didnt hold up when side by side to the Frontier.

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  good truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By anthony colorite - June 10 - 3:36 pm

  this truck is very powerful for a midsize truck, ok gas milage and it looks great. very happy with my purchase

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  Best Truck I ever owned - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By jsan1 - June 4 - 10:33 am

  I purchased this truck after having totaled my Ford Ranger "Edge Edition". I absolutely love this truck. Great power, comfort, and looks. One of the best riding trucks I have ever been in. After looking at the Toyota Tacoma, for the price I felt that there was no comparison.