Used 2019 Nissan Frontier

With an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) still under $20,000, the 2019 Nissan Frontier soldiers on as a capable no-nonsense midsize pickup that’s ready for hard work or weekend play. As in 2018, there are two body styles, two bed lengths, two wheelbases, three transmissions and two engines available. All Crew Cab models get the 4.0-liter V6, which makes 261 horsepower. King Cab buyers also may select a 4-cylinder engine, a 2.5-liter that produces 152 horsepower. Five trim levels are available: S, SV, the 2-wheel-drive-only Desert Runner, SL and Pro-4X, which is available only with 4-wheel drive. If you want a manual transmission, a 5-speed manual is available on 4-cylinder Frontiers; a 6-speed manual mates to the V6. The one automatic transmission available is a dated but proven 5-speed. Although the aging Frontier scores well in quality rankings, it faces tough competition from the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Toyota Tacoma, all newer designs offering more amenities and better fuel economy.

The new Frontier, though basic in nature compared to newer pickups, is comfortable. The well-shaped seats accommodate drivers of various sizes, and the suspension doesn’t toss you around. Even on rough roads with an empty bed, the Frontier isn’t bounced around, as you might expect. Our most recent test truck was a Frontier King Cab in base S trim. White with a gray interior, it was good basic transportation, a work truck with a 152-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual transmission that was easy to shift. Clutch effort was light, which was much appreciated in stop-and-go traffic. Power from the 4-cylinder felt adequate around town, but the 16-valve engine felt taxed while getting the fully loaded Frontier up to highway speeds. Nor is sound-deadening a Frontier strong point; wind noise intrudes from around the mirrors, and there’s a fair amount of rumble from the engine and the road.

No one is going to confuse the simple cabin of the 2019 Nissan Frontier with that of, say, a luxurious new Ram pickup, but we appreciate its functional and elemental nature, which is very much in line with this pickup’s intended purpose. Open the rear-hinged doors of the King Cab model and you’ll find a pair of cramped seats that are suitable for children and short rides. If you plan on carrying passengers, opt for the Crew Cab. It has four traditional doors and room for three adults across the rear bench. The rear seats on all Frontier models flip up for more space, and the front-passenger seat can fold flat.

By today’s standards, the Nissan Frontier looks a bit conservative, but we feel it’s handsome in an understated way, even with its prominently flared fenders and aggressive-looking wheels. This midsize Nissan pickup also boasts a masculine quality, especially the Desert Runner and PRO-4X models with their off-road tires and available roof racks and crossbars. A long bed is available on the Frontier Crew Cab; it has the same 73.3-inch bed length as the smaller-cabin King Cab.

PRO-4X
The Nissan Frontier Pro-4X model boasts some serious off-road cred. Well beyond just 4-wheel drive, the Frontier Pro-4X packs a heavy-duty suspension, Bilstein high-pressure performance gas shock absorbers, skidplates protecting the fuel tank, oil pan and transfer case; 16-inch wheels, 265/75R16 All-Terrain tires and an electronically locking rear differential.

MIDNIGHT EDITION PACKAGE
Introduced in 2018, the Frontier Midnight Edition makes an already attractive pickup look even sharper. Visual enhancements include a gloss-black grille and 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, plus black step rails, body-color bumpers and black mirrors, door handles and badging. The Midnight Edition is available only on black, silver and white Frontiers.

The King Cab S model is quite basic, with a 5-speed manual transmission and crank windows, although air conditioning, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD stereo and Bluetooth are now standard. Power windows and mirrors, and a USB-equipped audio system are available on the more civilized SV trims, which also include NissanConnect with mobile apps such as Facebook, and streaming audio like Pandora and iHeartRadio. The Crew Cab SL adds leather seats, Rockford Fosgate audio and a standard V6 engine. All 2-wheel-drive Frontiers have a brake-actuated limited-slip rear differential; all 4-wheel-drive models are fitted with a conventional limited-slip rear.

For 2019, Frontier SV models offer a popular SV Value Truck package that includes heated cloth seats, fog lights, a sliding bed extender, sonar parking sensors, dual-zone A/C, an auto-dimming mirror and a bed with a spray-in liner and four Utili-track tie-down anchors. While it seems a little strange that the Desert Runner is a 2-wheel-drive (2WD) model, it is fitted with Bilstein off-road shocks and off-road wheels and tires. The 4-wheel-drive (4WD) PRO-4X Frontiers add an electronic locking rear differential and skidplates. A Premium Package with power-adjustable leather seats and heated outside mirrors is available on the Crew Cab PRO-4X, while a power moonroof is available on the SL (standard) and SV (optional). The Midnight Edition is available only on the SV with automatic transmission.

The base engine on the 2019 Nissan Frontier King Cab is a 152-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. While the 4-cylinder is slightly more efficient than the 4.0-liter V6 (available in King Cab, standard in Crew Cab models or any 4WD Frontier), it’s a better choice. It produces 261 horsepower, so the V6-powered Frontiers have plenty of power with either the 6-speed manual or the 5-speed automatic. The 4-cylinder Frontier has a decent tow rating of 3,500 pounds; the 2WD Frontier V6 models can tow up to 6,500 pounds. Although the Frontier runs on regular unleaded gasoline, its EPA fuel economy falls short of the Chevy Colorado.

2.5-liter inline-4
152 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
171 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/23 mpg (2WD, manual), 17/22 mpg (2WD, automatic)

4.0-liter V6
261 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
281 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg (2WD, manual), 16/23 mpg (2WD, automatic), 16/21 mpg (4WD, manual), 15/21 mpg (4WD, automatic)