2016 Nissan Frontier | CarGurus Test Drive Review

For a few years, it seemed major automakers had given up on the midsize truck segment. Now, however, with the re-emergence of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, and the introduction of an all-new Toyota Tacoma for 2016, one of the staples of the field, the Nissan Frontier, finds itself lagging behind the competition. Can its reasonable off-road performance and lower starting price win shoppers over, or is this just a truck desperate for a redesign?

If you’re looking for a truck that drives like... well, a truck, then the Frontier isn’t a bad choice. Still living on a 12-year-old platform, the Frontier’s road manners don’t measure up well with the new era of pickups, and the engine and transmission only add to the workman-like charm of what’s quickly becoming an outdated product.

The Frontier Pro-4X’s 4.0-liter V6 features variable valve timing and direct injection, and it makes a reasonable 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, but those numbers show up later in the power band than we’d like. All in all, this engine paired with the Frontier’s 5-speed automatic transmission delivers 15 mpg city/ 21 highway.

If you’d rather your truck not coddle you with the latest and greatest interior features, the Frontier should suit you just fine. Hard plastics and unforgiving seats earn negative attention in the cabin.

Price distinguishes the Frontier from the pack in a positive way. Nissan’s small pickup starts at $18,290, and the price of the Pro-4X Mike tested was $36,525. In comparison, neither the GM twins nor the Tacoma have starting MSPRs below $20K. For more information on the 2016 Nissan Frontier, read Mike’s full review on CarGurus: https://cargur.us/bw3RK

Presenter: Michael Perkins
Producer: Carl Nenzen Loven

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