Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. LB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Desert Runner 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. LB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. LB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. LB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Overall Rating
Nissan still has to put substantially more effort to go against its forefront-looking rivals, who are way better to the extent that looks, comfort, and execution. While the past gen Frontier was given a Locking back differential (Pro-4X). In any case, it has far to go, to battle with its bleeding-edge rivals.
The Nissan Frontier has been one of the oldest pickup trucks in the market, and that does show in the features and technology that this truck holds. The Frontier has not seen any major changes since it’s current generation launch around a decade ago, while its competitors have made exceptional advancement to build a more modern truck.
The legacy started way back in late 2004 with the original Frontier, and for the 2018 model year, this case continues for Nissan. For just around $18,995, it is surely light on your pocket but misses out on most of the latest features. The base engine is not powerful enough to compete with its competitors, but the 4.0L V6 engine does challenge the rivals.
While the base S trim is the most affordable of the package, at a price of around $19,000, it doesn't offer a lot of features. We recommend to opt for the Pro-4x variant with its exceptional off roading capabilities along with a bigger infotainment screen. Even Though the Pro-4x is almost double the base price at around $32,500, it gets the bed extender, spray-in liner and an improved towing capacity which justifies the high cost.
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. LB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Desert Runner 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Nissan still has to put substantially more effort to go against its forefront-looking rivals, who are way better to the extent that looks, comfort, and execution. While the past gen Frontier was given a Locking back differential (Pro-4X). In any case, it has far to go, to battle with its bleeding-edge rivals.
The Nissan Frontier has been one of the oldest pickup trucks in the market, and that does show in the features and technology that this truck holds. The Frontier has not seen any major changes since it’s current generation launch around a decade ago, while its competitors have made exceptional advancement to build a more modern truck.
The legacy started way back in late 2004 with the original Frontier, and for the 2018 model year, this case continues for Nissan. For just around $18,995, it is surely light on your pocket but misses out on most of the latest features. The base engine is not powerful enough to compete with its competitors, but the 4.0L V6 engine does challenge the rivals.
There are a total of 5 trims on offer and starting at a very affordable $19,000 for the Base S. The other trims are named SV, Pro-4X, SL, and Desert Runner. While the base S trim is the most affordable of the package, it doesn't have a lot of features to offer. The ones which come standard are the standard full-length boxed, advance blueprint, and a rearview monitor. The SV4 just raises up the bar with additional features like rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, and more. These additional features raised the cost of this trim by around $5,500 over the base trim.
Trims |
S |
SV |
Pro-4X |
Desert Runner |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$19,000 |
$24,720 |
$32,580 |
$25,400 |
Features |
S trim |
Features of Base S and: |
Features of SV and: |
Features of Pro-4X and: |
15-inch steel wheels |
keyless entry |
off-road tires specially tuned shocks |
fog lights |
|
rear privacy glass |
tilt-only steering wheel |
5.8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen with navigation |
high-performance shock absorbers |
|
two-wheel drive |
upgraded cloth upholstery |
leather-wrapped steering wheel |
off-road tires and an eight-way manually adjustable driver seat |
|
four-way manual-adjusting cloth bucket seats |
5-inch NissanConnect touchscreen interface with Bluetooth audio connectivity and smartphone-integrated apps with USB port |
a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system |
||
cruise control |
satellite radio and an additional 12-volt power outlet |
power-adjustable front seats and a rear-seat center armrest |
||
steering-wheel audio controls |
rear parking sensors and a rearview camera |
|||
Bluetooth phone connectivity |
Value Truck package that adds fog lights |
|||
four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack |
dual-zone automatic climate control |
|||
sliding rear window and a six-speaker audio system as standard |
auto-dimming rearview mirror |
The SV here is estimated at $25,220. While this trim just changes the dynamics with the consideration of a 4.0 liter 24-Valve V6 motor. It additionally gets a 5-speed Automatic Transmission. The top of the line 'Desert Runner' incorporates Bilstein shocks, giving it the most ideal Off-street feel.
We recommend
While the base S trim is the most affordable of the package, at a price of around $19,000, it doesn't offer a lot of features. We recommend to opt for the Pro-4x variant with its exceptional off roading capabilities along with a bigger infotainment screen. Even Though the Pro-4x is almost double the base price at around $32,500, it gets the bed extender, spray-in liner and an improved towing capacity which justifies the high cost.
Being the cheapest in the range starting at $19,000, it's the best point Nissan can score. While its opponents like the Toyota Tacoma and the GMC Canyon are about $3,000 to about $7,000 over the top. The Nissan gets a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine.
This engine gives us a power output of 152-hp along with 171 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission, and the vehicle is available in either a two-wheel drive or a four-wheel-drive variant.
Models |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$19,000 |
$24,575 |
$20,885 |
$20,000 |
Engine |
2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine |
2.7L I4 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine |
2.5L I4 DI DOHC engine |
2.5L DI 4-cylinder engine |
Transmission |
5-speed manual |
6-speed automatic |
6-speed manual |
6-speed manual |
Power |
152 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
200 hp @ 6300 rpm |
200 hp @ 6300 rpm |
Torque |
171 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
180 lb-ft 3800 rpm |
191 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
191 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Even with almost the same engine volume, the Frontier lacks in terms of power output. The Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon are the most powerful in comparison with an output of 200-hp. The Toyota Tacoma has the biggest 2.7L inline-4 engine, yet falls behind the Colorado and Canyon, but provides better power output than the Frontier at 159-hp.
Even with a low powered engine, the Nissan Frontier puts staggering numbers when it comes to the acceleration of the vehicle. It crosses the 60MPH mark in about 7.5 seconds, which is far superior as far as its rivals are concerned. To cover a quarter-mile stretch, the Frontier takes around 16.5-seconds. This is an impressive performance considering the underpowered engine and size of the truck.
Models |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
7.5 sec |
8.1 sec |
9.8 sec |
9.0 sec |
Quarter mile |
16.5 sec @ 90 mph |
16.2 sec @ 84 mph |
14.7 sec @ 91 mph |
17.1 sec @ 82.4 mph |
Top Speed |
125 |
109 |
NA |
NA |
Emission Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year |
8.4 |
8.1 |
8.4 |
8.1 |
The Toyota Tacoma is close to the Frontier in terms of acceleration. It takes 8.1-seconds to reach 60 MPH. The Chevrolet Colorado is the slowest among the competition with a 0-60 MPH acceleration taking 9.8 seconds. The other offspring of General Motors, the 2018 GMC Canyon reaches 60 MPH from a standstill in 9.0 seconds.
Strong torquey trucks need an equally strong stopping power, and the brake performance of Nissan is rather impressive. It gets an 11.1-inch disc at the front along with a bigger 11.3-inch disc at the rear. This setup assists the Frontier to come to a standstill from 60-mph in 125-feet. This is an acceptable performance from a truck that weighs 3,766 pounds.
The Frontier is not the most impressive pick-up when it comes to the handling of the vehicle. It doesn’t impress much. The steering is slow to react to the drivers input and the brakes are not the best either. But the real fun with the Frontier begins in the dirt. The high torque and off road tuned suspension works its charm on off-roads.
Model |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake pads-front(in) |
11.10 |
10.0 |
10.8 |
12.2 |
Brake pads Rear(in) |
11.30 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
12.7 |
Curb weight(lbs) |
3766 |
3980 |
4425 |
3922 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
125 |
123 |
119 |
121 |
The GMC Canyon has the biggest brakes in the lot, with the Frontier coming in at second. The Colorado comes in after the Frontier, yet has the best braking performance in comparison. The Colorado takes just 119-feet to come to a halt from 60-mph. Nissan stands at the back with the worst braking performance among the lot.
The high torque available with the Nissan Frontier helps it to tow high amounts of load and thus stand at the top of this chart. The 2018 Nissan Frontier can tow up to 3,760 pounds, which is the best in class. It also has a payload capacity of 1,469 pounds, which is decent enough as well.
Model |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Payload capacity (lbs) |
1496 |
1620 |
1382 |
1424 |
Towing Capacity (lbs) |
3760 |
3500 |
NA |
3500 |
The Toyota Tacoma and the GMC Canyon have an equal towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The 2018 Toyota Tacoma has the highest payload capacity of 1,620 pounds. Following Tacoma in the payload capacity is the other Japanese offering Frontier as it offers 1,496 pounds. Chevrolet Colorado fails to impress as it only allows a payload capacity of 1382 pounds.
The 2018 Nissan Frontier with its age-old engine is not the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the comparison. It provides us with a fuel economy of just 15 mpg in the city, which slightly improves to 21mph on the highways. Thus combined together, the Frontier has a mileage of around 17-mpg. This is not a lot when compared to its competitors.
Model |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mpg city mpg |
15 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
Mpg highway mpg |
21 |
21 |
24 |
26 |
Mpg combined mpg |
17 |
18 |
21 |
22 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) |
21.1 |
21.1 |
21 |
21 |
The GMC Canyon is the most efficient truck in comparison with a mileage of 20mpg in the city and gives an outstanding mileage of 26-mpg on the highway. The Chevy Colorado is equally efficient as the Canyon. All the vehicles have almost the same fuel tank capacity of around 21 gallons. Thus with a much better fuel economy, the GMC Canyon provides us with the maximum range.
This decade-old generation is not the most attractive in the interior. The entire cabin is lined up with cheap plastics, which is exactly the opposite of the plush high-quality interior from some of its competitors.
The front seats offer decent enough space for the driver and passenger, but the rear seats feel cramped when accommodating 3 passengers.
Model |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
39.7/58.3/42.4 |
39.7/58.3/42.9 |
41.4/57.5/45.0 |
41.4/57.5/45.0 |
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.3/54.9/25.4 |
34.9/56.5/24.6 |
N/A |
N/A |
All the vehicles can accommodate up to 4 people. The Colorado and Canyon have similar spacing in the interior and so does the Frontier and Tacoma. Interior feature highlights incorporate power windows and locks, a moon rooftop and satellite radio. There are repetitive physical controls for some sound and atmosphere control as well.
The infotainment system in the Nissan Frontier has a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound framework, the Nissan Connect infotainment framework with a 5.8-inch touchscreen, voice acknowledgment, and cell phone application reconciliation. The accessible infotainment framework is anything but difficult to utilize in light of the fact that it has a cell phone style interface that will be natural to many people. While the Frontier is equipped with Siri Eyes Free, it doesn't offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which can be found in adversary trucks.
The exterior of the 2018 Nissan frontier is quite conservative due to its long-pending upgrade. Yet the pick-up truck looks muscular. The minimalist design is what makes the truck look attractive in some sense.
The Desert Runner and TRD Pro have all the off-road equipment in the exterior like the huge tires, skid plates, roof bars, and cross tracks.
Model |
Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
Chevrolet Colorado |
GMC Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
curb weight(lbs.) |
3766 |
3980 |
3985 |
3922 |
Length(in.) |
205.5 |
212.3 |
212.7 |
212.4 |
Width(in) |
72.8 |
74.3 |
74.3 |
74.3 |
Height(in) |
68.7 |
70.4 |
70.4 |
70.4 |
Ground clearance(in) |
7.6 |
9.4 |
8.4 |
8.4 |
Wheelbase(in) |
125.9 |
127.3 |
128.4 |
128.3 |
Track width(in) F/R |
61.8/61.8 |
62.4/62.4 |
63.0/63.2 |
62.4/62.4 |
The Nissan Frontier is easily maneuverable because of its short length of 205.5-inch. The Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota measure 212-inch in length, which makes them look a little bigger than Nissan Frontier. This also comes with the width at 72 inches, and all the other rivals being wider at 74 inches. Comparing the height, Nissan is at 68.7 inches, whereas the rivals are 70.4 inches and over.
The NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2018 Nissan Frontier, but the IIHS has rated the Frontier with a mix of ratings. It is not the most sturdy truck as its front crash testing got a moderate ranking. But the Frontier does have few safety features that helps it improve the safety factor. Here is a list of those features:
The Colorado provides us with a much better power output of 191-hp as compared to the 152-hp of the Nissan Frontier. Along with that, the Colorado beats the Frontier in almost all the other segments except the towing capability. The Colorado has better looking and comfortable interiors along with more space for all the occupants. So, this competition between them is won by the all-American Chevrolet Colorado.
The Tacoma is the truck that dependably stays at the base of the connections, and there is a substantial defense for it too. The Toyota pickup truck comes up short on key points and hardly makes sense of how to remain mindful of the class type. Tormented with unfaltering quality issues as a brand, one might be far-fetched of buying this workhorse.
The Canyon is the General Motor twin of the Colorado, and is moderately undefined to it except for the payload limit and towing limit. The Canyon has the best looking interiors in the comparison as it is lined with premium high-quality materials. It is equipped with a much more modern interior and safety features.
Nissan has not given us a lot of points to back it up and suggests you buy this vehicle. The other rivals provide much better performance than the Frontier. It has been quite a long since we saw a new generation of Nissan Frontier, and thus it still lacks in most of the segments. The interior needs serious upgrades if Nissan wants to continue competing in this segment with the Frontier. Until that happens, we would suggest the much better options available in the market.