2019 Nissan Frontier Review

The Nissan Frontier is a small pickup that continues to win the hearts of buyers looking for an affordable and reliable pickup. Just before checking out the Million Mile Frontier at the Chicago Auto Show, I was able to spend a week in the 2019 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X to see what the hype was all about.

There's no doubt that the Frontier needs some upgrades, but there are several key reasons why this little pickup still plays an important role in an increasingly competitive segment.

Starting at under $20,000, the Frontier is reasonably priced. I spent the week in a 2019 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Crew Cab with a V6 engine and an automatic transmission. It starts at $34,190 and comes with the $2,100 Premium package, which includes electric heated leather front seats, dual electric heated door mirrors, a power glass sunroof, a roof rack and a fold-down rear center armrest. Once you add floor mats and the destination, the total cost of my rental car is $37,440.

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Drive the frontier of 2019

What you need to know about the 2019 Nissan Frontier.

The optional V6 offers plenty of power under the hood and in the Pro-4X you're ready for off-road work and adventure. The transmission is smooth and shifting in the automatic is well timed. There's a five-speed manual gearbox fitted to the Million Mile Frontier, which isn't available in 2020.

It is easy to drive and quite manoeuvrable thanks to the size of the pickup. The V6 responds when you need power, and while it's not blazingly fast, it's quick for a small pickup. While the steering is looser than newer pickups in this segment, the Frontier still feels lively in traffic. The suspension soaks up the worst of the road, so you end up with a comfortable ride. If you plan to take your Frontier off-road, the Pro 4X model is a great trim level, you get off-road shocks and off-road tires.

Towing capacity is 6,100 to 6,500 depending on the Frontier purchased. That's behind Ranger and Gladiator, so you'll need to do the calculations based on your current and future needs.

Fuel economy is rated for 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with an average of 17 mpg. This is on the lower end compared to the competition. For this reason, if you are unsure, this is why you should check out the 2020 Frontier, which uses a new engine and transmission that promises better fuel economy.

2019 Nissan Frontier Interior & Utility

The interior of the 2019 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X with Premium Pack.

The interior of the Frontier 2019 is well laid out, with tons of physical buttons within easy reach. Unlike the Tacoma, the seating position is more like a regular truck, giving your feet more room. Getting in and out is easy thanks to wide-open doors and easy-to-find grab handles. With the premium package, the driver's seat is an 8-way power seat and the passenger seat is a 4-way power seat. This is a good option if you want more customization options.

There's plenty of room up front and the front seats are comfortable, although they're not Zero-G seats they get the job done with comfort. There is a good amount of storage in the cabin.

The back seat isn't as comfortable and there's not as much room as in the front. It's fine for short trips and for cargo, but it's not a place adults would want to spend a lot of time on road trips. In the back there is storage space under the seat.

Overall cabin quality is good with a very sturdy feel and leather seats on the Pro-4X. It's an older interior, but the quality of the interior feels very solid, so you won't have to babysit this truck when going off-road or working with it.

While some buyers feel the impact of a shorter bed, this is the perfect size for my needs. There's enough space to carry everything I need, and with tie-down points throughout the bed, it's easy to secure the load.

Nissan Frontier technology and safety

The Nissan Frontier lacks CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Frontier is lacking on the technology side. It's an older infotainment system that doesn't support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You get Bluetooth and a USB connection to connect to the stereo. This is a tough sell in 2019, even with a touchscreen and voice control options. Navigation is available on select trim levels and comes with the Pro-4X.

The stereo is quite good with 10 speakers that provide good sound even at high volume. Our model came with Sirius XM, AM, FM and an Aux-In connection. There is no power socket in the back seat, so you need to connect a charger to the 12V power socket.

You won't find many advanced security features on the Frontier 2019. My loaner included parking sensors and a reversing camera. There is no option for blind spot monitoring or forward collision warning.

By: 2019 Nissan Frontier Review