Nissan Frontier Review

2008 Nissan Frontier LE Extended Cab Shown

The Nissan Frontier is the latest in the company's long and successful line of compact pickup trucks. In production since the late 1990s, it has attracted buyers because of its reasonable size, versatile capabilities and generally affordable price.

There have been two generations of the Nissan Frontier. The current truck is bigger and more powerful than the original and could be considered more of a midsize pickup rather than a compact. Thanks to its rugged nature and wide range of body styles and options, it's well suited for a broad spectrum of consumers.

Current Nissan Frontier

Last redesigned for the 2005 model year, today's Nissan Frontier is easily the most comfortable and civilized Frontier yet. King Cab models come with space behind the front seats that is better used for carrying smaller cargo items than for squeezing passengers of any size into the flip-up jump seats. Crew Cabs can accommodate adults, albeit nowhere nearly as comfortably as an SUV or full-size pickup.

The King Cab is offered in an economical XE trim level, powered by a 165-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Other King Cab and all Crew Cab models are offered in basic SE, comfortably equipped LE and more off-road-oriented Nismo trim levels, each powered by a robust 265-hp, 4.0-liter V6.

Four-wheel-drive Frontier models offer low-range gearing for serious rock-hopping, with the Nismo trim adding stability control and hill-descent control. The Nismo also offers a clever utility package that features in-bed rails and tie-downs. Other extras include available side and side curtain airbags, leather seats and a thumping Rockford Fosgate audio system.

In our reviews of the Nissan Frontier, we've been impressed with its surprisingly carlike driving demeanor. The Frontier feels considerably more maneuverable than its boxy styling and workaday purpose would suggest, and acceleration is quite brisk with the optional V6 engine. The ride is firm, however, especially with the optional off-road package, and the somewhat low-grade interior plastics are a disappointment, if perhaps consistent with the Frontier's tough-guy image. Overall, we highly recommend the Frontier to anyone who needs pickup functionality in a reasonably sized package.

If you're considering a used Frontier from the current generation, there have been relatively few changes since its '05 debut. Most notably, a long-bed version of the Crew Cab model was added in '07, and a Technology Package, including Bluetooth and an auxiliary audio jack, was introduced for '08.

Past Nissan Frontier Models

Nissan has been selling vehicles in the U.S. since 1958. Its first pickups were sold as Datsuns and were named nothing more than "Truck." The Nissan badge appeared in the early 1980s and the Frontier debuted in 1998 as an all-new model. The first-generation Nissan Frontier did not possess as much muscle or variety as the current model, but as a used truck, it could still be a solid choice.

This model was angular and boxy outside and similarly utilitarian inside. Nissan offered a regular cab or extended cab (King Cab) body style with a 143-hp four-cylinder engine. A 3.3-liter 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. A Desert Runner trim level was also added 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 year Nissan offered a supercharged version of the 3.3-liter V6 that produced 210 hp and 246 pound-feet of torque. Subsequent years saw the availability of a long bed and the "Open Sky" top (a huge power-operated fabric sunroof ) for the Crew Cab.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.