2011 Nissan Frontier

Overview
At one time the midsize truck segment had competitors from Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Isuzu, now the segment is smaller. Few competitors remain in the class. All that's left are the Nissan Frontier, the Toyota Tocoma, the Chevy Colorado, and the GMC Canyon. Of course, Nissan has the best offering to date.

The Frontier base model compact truck is a four cylinder offering with a 2.5 Liter 16 valve engine or a 4.0 Liter 24-valve V-6 offering derived from the VQ series. The truck is sold with either a five or six speed manual tranny or a five speed auto gearbox. The Frontier has one of two drive configurations too including 4WD and 2WD. The 4WD has a shift on the fly like system comprising of 4L0, 4H, and 2WD modes. The truck comes as a King Cab with two doors or a Crew cab with four doors.


The Frontier has a fully boxed, F-Alpha ladder frame. It's platform is durable, it has a 125.9 inch wheelbase, an all steel control arm front, and a solid axle leaf spring rear suspension.

The Range
Bodystyle: Truck
Engines: 2.5L I-4, 4.0L V-6
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Models: S, SV, PRO-4X, SL

What's New
For the 2011 model year, the Frontier's lineup gets a minor shakeup and some revised packaging. A new SV model replaces last year's SE, and is available with an exclusive Navy Blue exterior paintjob. Short-wheelbase S and PRO-4X Crew Cabs can now be had with a six-speed manual, while SV, PRO-4X, and SL models receive a vehicle immobilizer and bed rail caps.

Exterior
Frontier's signatures design cues are evident in the angled strut grille, big bumpers, short overhangs, and prominent fender flares. All models offer a bed that includes available factory-applied spray-on bedliner and Nissan's Utili-track tie-down system.

Interior
Inside, the Frontier is all about versatility, thanks to flip-up rear seats (King Cab), removable storage boxes under the backseat, a dual glove box, myriad cupholders and power points, and an available fold-flat front passenger seat.

Performance & Handling
The Frontier's top-line engine is a 4.0-liter V-6 that delivers 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. If that's more power than you need, a standard 2.5-liter I-4 generates 152 ponies and 171 pound-feet. The V-6 is mated to a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual, while the I-4 can be had with a manual or auto, both five-speeds. All Frontiers use a front control-arm/rear solid-axle leaf-springs suspension.

Safety
Nissan equips every Frontier pickup truck with front, front-side, and side curtain airbags. The Frontier also gets front-seat active head restraints, stability control (V-6 only), and a tire pressure monitoring system.

EPA Fuel Economy
14-19 mpg city/19-23 mpg highway