In the world of midsize pickups, the Nissan Frontier isn’t always the first name that comes to mind. Still, the Nissan Frontier has a lot going for it, including a powerful V6 engine, rugged off-road capability, and a good history of reliability. Middling resale values may not be good news for the seller, but they give buyers an advantage when trying to get the most for their money.
Nissan Frontier Generations
Nissan Frontier (3rd Generation: 2022 - Current)
Key Improvements: The current Nissan Frontier shares much of its underpinnings with the last generation, which essentially ran unchanged for 16 years. Optimists might say this is a tried, tested, and proven platform, while pessimists might decry a lack of advanced design. As this is a pickup truck and not a sports car, we’ll go with the optimist point of view. Carrying over from the final years of the previous generation is a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 310 horsepower. There's only one transmission choice, and that is a 9-speed automatic. Rear-wheel-drive trucks earn an EPA combined rating of up to 21 mpg, while 4WD models drop by one mpg to 20. Towing and payload numbers remain the same, too, set at 6,720 pounds and 1,460 pounds, respectively. Like the previous Frontier, the current truck offers a choice between a King Cab and a Crew Cab, the latter with a standard or long bed.
Where the current Frontier excels over its predecessor is cabin design, safety, and technology. The current Frontier’s interior is vastly better, ditching the old truck’s hard plastic surfaces and dated radios for a softer look, bigger touchscreen infotainment offerings featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and better seats. Driver-assist systems previously unavailable on the second-generation Frontier include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic detection with automatic braking, a 360-degree surround view monitor, traffic sign recognition, a blind-spot monitor, and lane guidance.
Model Updates: The 2023 Frontier adds more standard equipment to the SV trim and wireless Apple CarPlay on the PRO-4X.
Nissan Frontier (2nd Generation: 2005 - 2021)
Key Improvements: The second-generation Nissan Frontier’s decade and a half run dominates the nameplate's existence. For much of its life, the Frontier offered a choice between a 4-cylinder or V6 engine, a manual or automatic transmission, rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive, and King Cab or Crew Cab cabins. Larger and more powerful than the truck it replaces, the second-generation Frontier can tow up to 6,500 pounds (6,720 after 2020). It offers several trims, including an off-road-oriented PRO-4X featuring Bilstein shocks, electronic locking differential, and skid plate protection. New features for this generation include a Rockford Fosgate audio system, side-impact and side curtain airbags, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a USB port. Over time, options like leather upholstery, heated front seats, and an in-bed channel system appear.
Model Updates: The 2007 Frontier Crew Cab gains a long bed option that increases bed length by 14 inches. In 2008, more tech joins the Frontier fleet, including Bluetooth and satellite radio. 2009 sees a mild facelift and the introduction of the PRO-4X package. The 2010 Frontier introduces side-impact and side-curtain airbags, hill descent control, and hill start assist. Over the following 10 years, changes to the Frontier mainly center around shuffling equipment between trims, some new colors, and more package choices. In 2020, a new 310-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 replaces the old 4.0-liter V6, helping improve towing and payload numbers.
Nissan Frontier (1st Generation: 1998 - 2004)
The original Frontier is a robust little truck, offering 4- and 6-cylinder engines and three cab sizes: Regular, King Cab, and Crew Cab. At one point, there was even a supercharged engine pumping out an additional 40 horsepower over the standard V6. Find one in good shape, and you'll have a great little around-town hauler. You might even find one with a working cassette deck.
Nissan Frontier Buying Tips
Do you need help choosing the right Nissan Frontier trim level? Autotrader provides expert automotive advice to ensure you purchase the perfect vehicle.