- pickup 157,058
- 1,120 below average
- 4,950 good
- San Antonio, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,120 below average pickup 157,058 green
2001 nissan frontier review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Since then nissan has continued to be the innovator in the class; in 1983 it was the first foreign manufacturer to build trucks in the u. And the 2wd version, the model tested here, rides a bit lower; fitted with wide-profile tires, it feels more like a sports sedan with a bed in back. It comes in three trim levels: xe, se and sc. An xe king cab 4x2 retails for $13,649. Automatic transmissions add just over $1,000. the se is basically an xe with the deluxe package, including cruise control; tilt steering wheel; in-dash six-disc cd changer and steering wheel audio controls. Leather is optional with the se, not available on xe; the se comes with 16-inch wheels, xe with 15s. An se-v6 king cab 4x4 retails for $20,699, while an xe-v6 4x2 desert runner is priced at $15,949. King cab and crew cab models ride on a 116-inch wheelbase, while regular cabs ride on a 104. 3-inch wheelbase. crew cabs are available in xe, se and sc trim in 2wd or 4wd. All crew cabs use the 3. 3-liter sohc v6 engine, with the sc having the factory-installed supercharger made by eaton, a company with a lengthy history designing and building superchargers. This review focuses on the family-sized crew cab. walkaroundthe frontier design is what will have people talking and gawking. The big bold front end and fender flares say, 'cool.' the creative artists at nissan design international in la jolla, calif., were instructed to make the frontier look like a cross between a power tool and a boxing glove. As nissan says, the frontier has shed its anonymity. the powerful look begins in the body-colored grille, which incorporates a faux bash guard made of tough plastic, an original design. The hoodline is tall, the clear halogen headlights and round maxima foglights are oversized, and the turn signals goggle-like. The large fender flares with integral mud flaps span radial wheel arches, and have a finish that's deliberately duller than the body. They're attached by prominent tabs that look like bolt heads, which cause people to walk up and see if they twist. There's something right about any design feature that draws people to touch it. at the back, a new tailgate cover comes standard with a tailgate lock; the lock is designed to keep the tailgate itself from being stolen, not what's in the bed. Because tailgates get smashed so easily the demand for them is high, which keeps thieves busy; the lock should slow them down at least. The supercharged sc, either 2wd or 4wd, is planted to the ground with tires that are both tall and wide, p265/55r17. crew cab beds are about 20 inches shorter than standard frontier beds. The crew cab bed holds just 33 cubic feet of cargo space, compared with 45. 7 cubic feet for a regular cab model and 44. 1 cubic feet for the remaining models. About 16 inches of length can be regained with an optional bed extender, a hinged aluminum rack that effortlessly flips back 180 degrees to frame the end of the lowered tailgate. Flip the bed extender forward, close the tailgate, and it provides a contained area for groceries or other small cargo. Additionally, a bed-mounted bike rack is available. the engine compartment is tidy and roomy, and everything looks well balanced and accessible. Its background color is two-tone titanium; picture dark stainless steel. At night the numbers illuminate, but because they're outlined in white instead of being bold, they're difficult to read. The tachometer stretches to 8000 rpm despite the engine's 4800 rpm power peak, with a redline beginning at 6000 and running in a big pointless streak to eight grand. A new cd changer holds six cds, which can be selected with the six radio station buttons. There are two cool buttons for the emergency flashers and rear window defogger, rectangular and totally flat on the face of the panel. The heater controls are three big switches with wings. Silver trim surrounding the center console adds little to the design. There are front and rear auxiliary dc outlets in addition to the cigarette lighter, and big fixed cupholders front and rear. There's another tray ideal for a cellphone forward of the shift lever. There are three grab handles for climbing in and out-the driver can use the steering wheel-and available running boards make the step up easy. Radio and cruise controls are located on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with wide spokes located at 3, 9, 5 and 7 o'clock. My back, butt, and legs were free of aches, as there was plenty of room to move about. The boys were both in child safety seats; the crew cab provides for the secure installation of a child safety seat, something that can't always be found in extended cabs. Bigger people find little legroom in back. Technically it's a five-seater, but don't count on it. Don't count on even two adults being comfortable for long in the back seat if they're taller than five-foot-two. the rear and backseat windows are privacy glass, standard, with a rear window defogger. A good time was had by all, which says something about the frontier. Not many vehicles can contain five- and three-year-old boys in the back seat for three days of hard driving, and enable everyone to climb out happy. the hard driving was memorable because it was so enjoyable. The ride and handling of the 2wd frontier crew cab were truly exceptional. It felt like a tall nissan maxima, more than a pickup truck. Turn-in is nimble, and the front wheels stay glued to the line. Response is quick and control steady. The rear end never feels light over bumps. It actually rides better than the xterra sport-utility, which uses the same chassis; this is unusual as automakers usually soften the suv when it's built on a pickup platform. The crew cab is a bit heavier than two-door frontiers; its 56-44 weight distribution is marginally better than the king cab's 57-43. The crew cab also gets a rear stabilizer bar in addition to the standard front stabilizer bar. Tight, smooth, consistent. The anti-lock brakes do the job, although the frontier uses less-expensive drum brakes in the rear. AM/FM✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Tachometer✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Changer✔ Leather Seats✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ Alloy Wheels
4,950 San Antonio, TXSan Antonio, TX at autoshopper.com