Used 2021 Nissan Frontier King Cab

The 2021 Nissan Frontier has been a solid midsize pickup for many years. Too many years, actually. It’s been around for roughly 15 summers, which is a long time in automotive chronology. The world has altered, the Frontier not so much.

That’s all about to change, though. Later this year, a new generation of Nissan Frontier launches as a 2022 model. In the meantime, the 2021 Frontier might represent the chance to snag a sweet deal on either a basic truck for work or perhaps a weekend plaything you’d have no qualms about taking off-road. This generation still has something to offer.

Torque (the force that creates thrust) is the kind of thing a pickup driver wants plenty of. The 3.8-liter V6 in the Nissan Frontier develops 281 lb-ft of it, which is surpassed by the turbocharged 4-cylinder in the Ford Ranger (310 lb-ft). But it compares well with the base engines of other rivals. Its 310 horsepower, however, is class-leading.

Complemented by a pleasant 9-speed automatic transmission, this drivetrain is refined and quiet yet still punchy. And although the Frontier has a traditional body-on-frame construction with rear leaf springs, the ride quality is generally good.

Maximum payload is 1,460 pounds, which is achieved in the rear-drive S and SV versions with the shorter bed.

Come with us on a trip back in time to the year 2005 when the Nissan Frontier’s interior was new. The same year YouTube was launched and when none of us were quite so picky about the quality of plastics.

It’s the sort of plain, unfussy cabin that owners won’t mind getting dirty. But everything works as it should, although the steering only adjusts for height, not reach.

The front seats are comfortable enough for work, as well as a weekend foray into the wilderness. The rear seats split 60/40, and the cushions flip up to reveal an under-seat storage area.

The S and SV trims have a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Weirdly, though, and despite all the relative extravagance of the Pro-4X, Nissan decided to give that model a small 5.8-inch unit.

Let’s talk cabs. It has a grand name, but the King Cab of the 2021 Frontier range is the smallest. It has a pair of tiny rear doors that open in the opposite direction to the fronts, providing access to a similarly diminutive rear seating area.

The Crew Cab has regular doors on either side and roomier rear accommodations. This body also brings a choice of beds: 5-foot or 6-foot. The King Cab is paired solely with the 6-foot bed.

The S trim keeps things really simple, with things like 16-inch steel wheels, plus a front bumper and side mirror housings in black. SV trim brightens up things with a chrome rear bumper and 16-inch alloy wheels.

As the muddy-pawed top dog of the 2021 Frontier lineup, the Pro-4X (in Crew Cab/short bed form only) has Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and all-terrain tires, skid plates (protecting the oil pan, transfer case, and fuel tank), body-colored bumpers, satin chrome grille, and Pro-4X badges.

All-wheel-drive versions also have slightly more ground clearance than their rear-drive counterparts: 10.1 inches, as opposed to 9.8 inches. Any Frontier with four driven wheels could be a useful off-road tool with the right tires.

FRONTIER PRO-4X MODEL

Although the S trim makes sense as a cheap work truck, the Pro-4X off-roader looks the part and has all the equipment to back it up, including Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and a Dana rear axle. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 has the same mission, but costs a few thousand dollars more.

3.8-LITER V6

Nissan has a reputation for making great V6 engines. Remember the one in the 350Z? This is another: no turbochargers or superchargers, just excellent power delivery and a lot of it.

In basic S trim, the 2021 Frontier comes with rear-wheel drive, 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry/ignition, power-operated windows and door locks, cruise control, cloth upholstery, two 12-volt outlets, and a detachable locking tailgate.

The infotainment system includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, USB port, AM/FM radio, CD player, and a 4-speaker audio system.

All basic stuff, which might suit some buyers who just want an uncomplicated work truck. Before you ask, no, there aren’t any driver aids like forward-collision warning. Nor is there anything like Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

The SV trim is a tad more civilized, bringing 16-inch alloy wheels, a manual sliding rear window, power-adjustable side mirrors, gauges for oil pressure and voltage, sun shades with vanity mirrors, bed rail caps, and an immobilizer.

Both the S and SV trims are eligible for all-wheel drive with either cab. The SV trim also qualifies for the Value Truck package ($1,990) that adds rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, self-dimming rearview mirror with a compass, spray-in bed liner, sliding bed extender, and a trailer hitch.

The Pro-4X Crew Cab is the off-road specialist, with dedicated hardware and tires, plus a spray-in bed liner, heated side mirrors, moonroof, roof rack with crossbars, power-adjustable front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear parking sensors, navigation, satellite radio, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, and a bunch of other extras.

Fresh last year and set to be carried over into the new generation, the Frontier employs an excellent 3.8-liter V6 making a best-in-class 310 horsepower. This connects to a 9-speed automatic transmission, new last year, continuing its duties in the upcoming 2022 Frontier.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the default configuration, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available, either as an option or standard in the Pro-4X off-road specialist. The AWD system includes a high/low transfer case and hill descent control.

Rear-drive S trim models have the best towing capacity: 6,620 pounds.

3.8-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
281 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg (RWD), 17/23 mpg (AWD)