Nissan Frontier Used Buying Guide

• While the second generation doesn’t come with the most desirable features, it will do what you need it to, and if all you need is something for work, then you found the right one to look for.
• Being that the most recent generation is made for the North American market, you’ll find some of the best features around such as large infotainment screens, and creature comforts thanks to heated options.
• If you’re someone who likes the way a manual pickup feels, then you’ll want something from the second generation.
• The best years for the Nissan Frontier start in 2020, this is when the most efficient engine joins the lineup, and everything after come with updated features that are no longer stuck in 2005.

The third generation marks the first one made specifically for the North American market. Thanks to this, it is 5 inches longer, and is offered in extended King Cab and crew-cab layouts with either rear- or four-wheel drive, and five- and six-foot cargo box length options. This will better suit American drivers and their needs, unlike other generations from before.

No matter which configuration you’re looking at, they come powered by the 3.8L V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. Nissan claims that this engine lets the truck tow up to 6,720 pounds, with a 1,610-pound payload capacity. This engine is also efficient, getting an EPA rated 21 MPG combined. This is another area where the mid-size nature of this truck shines, making it a daily, and city driver.

This model only comes in three trims, with the ones you can find being the S, SV, and Pro-4X. While most models you’re looking at from this gen, you’ll find that they will come with an 8-inch screen, but you may find some that are equipped with 9-inch screens.

While all models will come with smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, you may come across models that are equipped with a wireless charging pad and even a Wi-Fi hotspot.

For the interior, you will find that this generation comes with Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats. These are some of the most comfortable ones on the market, and if you want even more comfort, you can keep an eye out for some models that come with heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

With the second generation being so long, we’ll cover the essentials on the models that you’ll be more likely to find yourself standing in front of. For the last few years, the Frontier could be found with either a 2.5L I4 or a 4.0L V6. Of these two engines, the one that we recommend looking for is the 2.5L I4 as it isn’t as thirsty as the V6 option, and comes with an EPA rated 20 MPG combined, making it a decent city driver, much like the first generation.

While this engine is smaller, it can produce 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with a maximum tow rating of 6,500 pounds, making it capable, but not as strong as the most recent generation.

The interior comes equipped with a 5.0-inch non-touch center screen, but you may be able to find models that are equipped with a 5.8-inch touchscreen. While later-generation models are technically newer, it didn’t seem that way for a long time, as it came with hard plastics in the interior, but if you find yourself looking at the highest trim level, you will be able to enjoy leather trimming.

If you want some of the most current features, then you’ll need to look for a model that came out in 2018 since this is when air conditioning, a backup camera, and cruise control were added to the base trim, as well as the 5-inch screen that is on other trims.

When 2020 came around, they figured it was time to update the powertrain, so they introduced the engine that is on the most recent generation. They also decided it was time to drop the manual transmission.