The 2016 Nissan Frontier is a solid midsize pickup with a well-deserved reputation for ruggedness, reliability and affordability. Smaller and more agile than a full-size pickup, the Frontier demonstrates impressive abilities in the areas of towing, hauling and off-roading. With its available V6 engine and numerous configurations, the Frontier has aged well over the years, although it faces stiff competition from newer pickups, such as GM’s Colorado and Canyon, not to mention the venerable Toyota Tacoma. Available in two cab variants (King Cab and Crew), two bed lengths (4×2 or 4×4), two powertrains and five trim levels, the Frontier can serve as a basic work truck, a near-luxury recreational platform or virtually anything in between. If you opt for the Crew Cab to use as both a family hauler and weekend warrior, know that Nissan has paid appropriate attention to passive safety. Plus, the Frontier’s Utili-track loading system is unmatched for hauling your toys. It’s arguably the best thing for hauling since the invention of the pickup bed.

Autotrader’s Advice:

Despite its age, the 2016 Nissan Frontier delivers an attractive, reliable package that can be configured just the way you want it. For light duty, the base King Cab is perfectly serviceable, while the V6 Crew Cab is an ideal family vehicle during the week or on the weekend. We’d opt for the off-road PRO-4X King Cab with the manual transmission and the Utili-track bed, and then we’d book two weeks with no map and no reservations.

What We Like:

Bullishly built; a capable workaholic; a choice of bed lengths with some Crew Cab models.

What We Don’t:

No 4-wheel drive (4WD) or Crew Cab offered with 4-cylinder models; lackluster fuel economy; interior materials and styling starting to feel dated.

Original MSRP:

$18,990-$36,500 (when new).

MPG:

The Frontier’s base powerplant is a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder offering 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. A 4×2 with a 4-cylinder and a manual transmission delivers 19 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, while the automatic earns a slightly lower 17 mpg city/23 mpg hwy. The 4.0-liter V6 develops 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. Environmental Protection Agency estimates for this engine are 15 mpg city/21 mpg hwy (4×4) for the automatic and 16 mpg city/22 mpg hwy (4×2) and 16 mpg city/21 mpg hwy (4×4) for the manual.

Standard Features & Options:

The 2016 Nissan Frontier comes in a number of trims, cab sizes and bed configurations. The trims include S, SV, PRO-4X, Desert Runner and SL, while cab sizes include the King and Crew Cab. Some Crew Cab models can also be fitted with a 5- or 6-foot bed. Options vary by trim and include 4WD with hill-start assist and hill-descent control, a rear bed extender, spray-in bedliner, the Utili-track adjustable tie-down cleats, a trailer hitch, a rearview monitor, navigation radio with NissanConnect, dual-zone automatic temperature control and a power moonroof (for the SL short-wheelbase trim and SV Crew Cab). Base S model with the manual transmission can be equipped with the Preferred package that brings air-conditioning, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control and an AM/FM/CD stereo.

The Frontier S 4×2 King Cab ($18,990, when new) includes a 5-speed manual transmission, cloth seats, rear jump seats, 15-inch steel wheels, a chrome rear bumper, full gauges (including a tachometer and temperature gauge) and front-side and side-curtain airbags. Adding an automatic transmission also brings air-conditioning, Bluetooth, a holder for sunglasses, cruise control and steering-wheel audio and Bluetooth controls.

The Frontier S 4×2 Crew Cab ($23,700, when new) adds a V6 engine, a 6-speed manual transmission and the same equipment as the automatic-equipped S King Cab, plus 16-in steel wheels, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a cloth rear bench seat.

The Frontier SV 4×2 King Cab ($22,880, when new) brings 16-in alloy wheels, premium cloth seats, NissanConnect with mobile apps and 5-in color display, a USB/iPod port, streaming Bluetooth, power windows, power locks, power mirrors and remote keyless entry.

The Frontier SV V6 ($24,640 King Cab, when new, $25,660 Crew Cab, when new) adds the more powerful V6 engine, a 6-speed manual transmission and a manual-sliding rear window with lock.

The Frontier Desert Runner ($25,220 King Cab, when new, $26,540 Crew Cab, when new) adds 16-in off-road alloy wheels, a compass, an outside-temperature gauge and Bilstein off-road shocks and off-road tires, plus unique Desert Runner interior and exterior treatments.

The Frontier PRO-4X ($32,780 King Cab, when new, $32,540 Crew Cab, when new) adds 4WD, heated cloth front seats, a spray-in bed liner, the Utili-track bed tie-down system, Bilstein off-road shocks, skid-plate protection, an electronic-locking rear limited-slip differential, fog lamps, navigation with 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio, a vehicle information system, a rearview monitor, white-faced gauges and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The Frontier SL ($32,410, when new) only comes in Crew Cab form and brings 18-in alloy wheels, auto on/off headlights, heated outside mirrors, leather seating, an 8-way power driver’s seat, a 4-way power passenger seat, the Rockford Fosgate audio system and a rearview monitor. Long-wheelbase versions gain a power moonroof.

Safety:

In both active and passive safety, Nissan has checked most of the appropriate boxes, even though pickups aren’t typically paragons of either. Active safety is augmented by capable 4-wheel disc brakes with standard anti-lock brakes and electronic traction and stability control, as well as reasonable handling coupled with a composed ride. Nissan’s airbag system includes side-impact supplemental bags for front-seat passengers and roof-mounted curtain airbags that provide side-impact and rollover head protection for outboard occupants. An available backup camera and rear parking sensors assist in low-speed maneuvering. The only crash test the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performed on the Frontier was the rollover test, in which it earned four out of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Frontier a rating of Good in its moderate-overlap front, side-impact and roof-strength tests, as well as an Acceptable mark for the head restraints and seats.

Behind the Wheel:

With a choice of two engines combined with either of the 4×2 or 4×4 platforms, the Nissan Frontier can be most things to most people. Larger than the old compact pickups of the 1980s and 1990s, the Frontier platform more closely resembles Nissan’s full-size Titan. The Frontier’s base 4-cylinder is lighter on its feet, but you can’t disguise the sturdy, fully boxed ladder frame or the hefty curb weight. Opt for the V6 with 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, and you’ll have a truck that is certainly recreational in a straight line while staying reasonably composed when the road throws you a curve. We’re most impressed with Nissan’s Frontier PRO-4X, the dedicated off-road variant with an electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein off-road shocks. Although we might take issue with Nissan’s description of it as the ultimate off-roader, those waiting for Jeep to build a pickup needn’t wait. Nissan has already built it.

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