Used 2016 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner for sale 

Like all other pickup trucks in the market, the Nissan Frontier also comes with a multitude of variants and options to choose from. The truck is offered in five main trim levels and builds on to each trims further according to the preference or requirement of the buyer. 

The base S trim is priced at $18,290 and comes with very basic features, but given its price tag, it feels adequate. The 4x4 configuration is offered in all the trim levels which is a good thing and the truck also has a special trim reserved for the hard-core off-roaders out there. The Pro-4X is tuned to provide maximum off-roading capabilities with a specially tuned suspension, a standard 4x4 system, and a standard V6 power plant. The truck offers 2 bed sizes: a 6ft box and a 4.7ft box.

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We would recommend you the SV trim if you’re on a tight budget. But the Desert Runner trim is the most value for money trim among the trim levels

The base engine of the Nissan Frontier is a 2.5liter gasoline engine and it generates a maximum of 152 horsepower and 171lb-ft of torque. The towing capacity of the motor is decent at 3,500lbs. 

The motor is adequately powerful to run your daily chores and visit to your workplace. Even when the truck is fully loaded, the motor retains maximum of its performance and works effortlessly. Highway cruising might make you feel that the V6 would’ve been a better option but overall, the performance is decent for a budget pickup truck.

The Toyota Tacoma has a similar powertrain on offer and pushes out more power figures than the Frontier. The Chevrolet Colorado is the most powerful one among the three on the list but its base price is also a bit on the higher side as well.

Surprisingly, the modern trucks have become quite fuel efficient owing to the option of a low power base engine. The Nissan Frontier returns a maximum of 19mpg and a highway mileage of 23mpg. The combined mileage is rated at 21mpg.

The Toyota Tacoma has exactly the same fuel economy numbers as the Nissan Frontier while the Chevrolet Colorado is the most fuel efficient truck among the three rivals here.

The interior of the 2016 Nissan Frontier is average at the most but in some places you might feel the interior is missing the robustness a pickup truck’s interior materials should have. The front seats are quite comfortable and supportive but the limited adjustability and the tilt-only steering wheel might be a point of concern for shorter drivers. On the plus side, the overall layout of the controls and the placement of the gauges are intuitive and easy to reach.

Though there are rear seats on offer, the legroom is very restricted, making it a bit uncomfortable over long distances. The Crew Cab models do come with a standard 6.1-ft cargo bed and allow to load a multitude of cargo. There are some additional bits such as the flip-out tailgate extension and adjustable tie-down cleats which allows loading big and slightly oversized loads rather easy to haul.

The Toyota Tacoma has similar interior dimensions for the front passengers and the driver but has a sub-par rear seat dimensions especially a severely compact headroom. The Chevrolet Colorado is as spacious as the Nissan Frontier and has excellent headroom and legroom for the rear passengers.

Infotainment

The infotainment system on the Nissan Frontier can be termed as decent and at par with the competition. The truck comes with a 5-inch NissanConnect display with a smooth and fluid user interface.

The infotainment system includes some standard features such as Bluetooth connectivity, USB connectivity, smartphone-integrated apps, a media player interface, satellite radio and an additional 12-volt power outlet. On the higher trims there is a premium Rockford Fosgate audio system on offer for a rich listening experience.

Highlighted features of the infotainment system are:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• MP3 Player
• Satellite Radio
• Smart Device Integration
• 5-inch touchscreen display with NissanConnect interface

Nissan did a great job while designing the Frontier. They combined a substantial amount of modernism along with traditional truck-styling cues to make the truck almost future proof with a timeless design. Even though the truck has aged well, it still looks fresh and intriguing, competing steadily alongside more modern trucks from Chevrolet, Toyota, and GMC.

The truck’s front fascia looks bold and brawny, making it one of the coolest-looking small trucks in the segment. The fenders wear a car-like design with enough curves to nicely accentuate the wheel wells. The rear-end looks neat with a vertical-shaped tail light and a compact tailgate.

The Toyota Tacoma looks more rugged and off-road ready with its muscular appeal. It is also longer than the Frontier and has the best ground clearance of 9.4-inches, making it a practical vehicle over extremely rough surfaces. The Chevrolet Colorado is a much more humble truck as compared to the Frontier and the Tacoma, featuring a more ordinary design language.

Safety is of utmost importance in a pickup truck since they serve as a workhorse on a daily basis. The 2016 Frontier has secured an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS while the NHTSA didn’t crash test the vehicle yet. The standard safety features onboard the Nissan Frontier includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. The NissanConnect interface can be further upgraded with a host of emergency communications services that includes automatic collision notification, an emergency call button, stolen vehicle locator and remote alarm notification.

Highlighted safety features of the Frontier are:

• Anti-lock braking system
• Traction and stability control
• FFront seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags
• NissanConnect emergency telematics

2016 Nissan Frontier vs. 2016 GMC Canyon

The Canyon doesn't offer any serious off-road trim as the Frontiers Pro-4X because of the low hanging front air dam but it offers better ride quality as compared to Frontier's choppy and somewhat harsh ride quality and the Canyon is overall a well thought out vehicle offering a better designed and attractive interior as well as exterior.

2016 Nissan Frontier vs. 2016 Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma is famous for its off-road capabilities and its unshakable reliability it offers but it lacks the nice interior of the Colorado and with less mileage and towing capacity it seems difficult to prefer the Toyota over the Chevy for day to day purposes.

However, if you live in the countryside or the outskirts Toyota's Tacoma offers great reliability and off-road capability.

In a market full of modern and fresh small pickup trucks, the Nissan Frontier still stands as a steady player with its timeless design and a generous list of interior features. It also offers a choice of performance upgrade with the optional V6 powertrain and comes with an extremely handy 4x4 system for those who desire serious off-roading as well.