2019 Nissan Frontier

header-image
$19,290 - $37,150
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Economical pricing of the base model

Lower hauling capacity than the rivals

The 2020 Nissan Frontier isn't really a new package with the changes being minor to none.

Great list of safety features

Subpar Fuel Economy

The Japanese manufacture have introduced a 7” touchscreen display in the S and SV trims.

More seating capacity

Outdated and cut-price cabin quality

Plush front seat

Decent driving dynamics

Specs & Features

$29,690

price

261 hp @ 5600 rpm

horsepower

281 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

5-Speed Automatic w/od

transmission

4.0L 6cyl 4WD 5A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

With the Frontier King Cab, Nissan introduces the Crew Cab variant of the same model with a more seating arrangement and as a result, a slight difference in weight and dimensions. As its King Cab configuration, the 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab offers a sturdy chassis, great driving dynamics and houses an impressive list of extensive features as a work truck.

Buying Advice

Since trucks are more of a preference-based heavy duty, it depends on what your purpose is. If you want a proper off-roader though, then the Dessert Runner is the perfect choice.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Entering the 2019 edition of the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, the pickup truck carries on its legacy that commenced in late 2004 . The Nissan Frontier still charms and impresses its driver and comes with a host of features as well as safety parameters.

The pickup truck comes with a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine that is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission capable of churning out 152 horses and 171 pound-feet of torque. Weighing relatively light for a pick-up truck, the hauler equips a decent interior that complements its economical pricing. It starts competing with the likes of Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and the Toyota Tacoma. Does the Frontier still impress? Let’s find out in the review below.

Features
5.0/10

Trims Base S (Crew Cab) SV Dessert Runner PRO-4X
MSRP $24,950 $26,750 $27,730 $33,140
Key Features Full Length boxed ladder frame INCLUDES S CREW CAB FEATURES PLUS: INCLUDES SV CREW CAB FEATURES PLUS: INCLUDES SV CREW CAB FEATURES PLUS:
  Rear View Monitor 16" Aluminum-alloy wheels, Remote keyless entry, SiriusXM Satellite Radio Rear wheel only, Off-Roader, 4WD only, Off-road tires, Bilstein shocks, White-faced gauges, Desert Runner cloth seat trim
  Forward facing rear flip-up seats   4.0-liter 24-valve V6 engine,  

The Nissan Frontier's base trim costs $24,950 MSRP and like its King Cab variant, doesn't host an extensive list of features. With the SV, the bar is raised with the inclusion of equipped by 16" alloy wheels and also comes a tad costlier.

Priced at $27,730, the Dessert Runner hosts a complete off-roader philosophy and comes in a rear-wheel drive only and this trim just changes the game with the inclusion of a 4.0 litre 24-Valve V6 engine alongside a a 5-speed Automatic Transmission. At the top of the line sits the 3that includes Bilstein shocks for giving it the best Off-road feel possible. Housing white-faced gauges, which gives the interior a new fresh feel, the Desert Runner Cloth set trim is also a unique inclusion in the bespoken top end variant.

We recommend

Since trucks are more of a preference-based heavy duty, it depends on what your purpose is. If you want a proper off-roader though, then the Dessert Runner is the perfect choice.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

Fuel economy is one of the most important key factors while buying a car. However keep in mind that pickup trucks are not the epitome of fuel efficiency. The Frontier heavy duty just has considerable numbers for its MPG given at highway which delivers about 22mpg that is worst of the lot city which is 17 MPG. The combined averages of both the city and highway turn out to be about 21mpg. The best of the lot in terms of mileage are the Chevy and the GMC.

Model

Nissan Frontier

Chevrolet Colorado

Toyota Tacoma

GMC Canyon

Mpg city mpg

17

20

20

20

Mpg highway mpg

22

26

23

26

Mpg combine mpg

21

22

21

22

Interior
4.0/10

"The Frontier's ancient interior design is straight out of 2005, and its limited list of desirable options is also outdated. However, the hard-plastic habitat is appropriate for tradesmen and trail raiders."- Caranddriver.com

Seating and Comfort

Being spacious and wide enough to seat 5 passengers due to the extra cab in the Nissan Frontier as a result of which it seats more than its rivals. Standard features in the Frontier includes a USB port, Siri Eyes Free,Bluetooth, a four-speaker audio system, a 5-inch display screen, and a rearview camera.

Model

Nissan Frontier

Chevrolet Colorado

Toyota Tacoma

GMC Canyon

Passenger capacity

5

2

4

2

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.9/58.3/42.4

41.4/57.5/45.0

39.7/58.3/42.9

41.4/57.5/45.0

Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

38.6/58.3/33.6

38/56.2/35.8

34.9/56.5/24.6

38/56.2/35.8

You can also purchase available features that include power windows and locks,a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system,a moonroof, satellite radio and the Nissan Connect infotainment system with a 5.8-inch touch screen, navigation, voice recognition, and smartphone app integration. Rear parking sensors are also an available feature.

Exterior
4.0/10

"The Nissan Frontier's look is starting to blend in to the surroundings by now." -thecarconnection

The 2019 Nissan Frontier measures the shortest amongst the rivals in terms of the length at just about 205". The Chevy, GMC and Toyota measure 212" in length. This just makes the Nissan look small when compared to its rivals which are all around 74" in width when the Nissan is almost 73" wide. Same is the case where its rivals are tall at about 70.4" where the Nissan is just about 68.7". The truck also comes equipped with another set of cab that can seat few more passengers.

Model

Nissan Frontier

Chevrolet Colorado

Toyota Tacoma

GMC Canyon

curb weight(lbs)

4225

3986

4425

3943

Length"

205.5

212.7

212.3

212.4

Width"

72.8

74.3

74.4

74.3

Height"

70.1

70.4

70.6

70.4

Ground clearance"

8.6

8.4

9.1

8.4

Wheel base"

125.9

128.3

127.4

128.3

Track width" F/R

61.8/61.8

62.4/62.4

63.0/63.2

62.4/62.4

It gets a decent amount of ground clearance though which is about 8.6" and the best of the lot is the Toyota which gets about a ground clearance of 9.1". It gets the smallest Wheelbase of about 125.9", the Chevy gets the best wheelbase of 128.3". Same goes with the Track width it comes around 61.8/61.8" which is again the smallest of the lot. Here the Toyota takes the cake with 63.0/63.2 ". On the outside also, the Nissan doesn't make much cosmetic changes, while still sticking at halogen headlamps and 16" wheels.

Safety
8.3/10

The 2019 pickup truck by Nissan offers a host of safety features with extensive technology. The Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors offer the best passenger safety as the airbag blow up and protect the passenger in any case of mishap, it also provides Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags for additional safety.

The Frontier is yet to be rated by the IIHS and NHTSA.

  • LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
  • Roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side-impact with rollover sensor
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
  • Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors
  • Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
  • Seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System
  • Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS)
  • 3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt (ELR for driver)
  • Front-seat Active Head Restraints
  • Front Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
  • Hood buckling creases and energy-absorbing steering column
  • Pipe-style steel side-door guard beams

Competition
8.0/10

Nissan Frontier Crew Cab vs Chevrolet Colorado

When the 5th most selling truck is put up with a truck from the big three the Nissan falters under the weight put upon it. The interiors feel dated and the overall engine output is far lesser than its contemporaries. The Silverado has some serious figures under the belt which overpower the Frontier on all fronts except the towing capacity.

Nissan Frontier Crew Cab vs Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma is at the bottom pit when compared to the Frontier and there is a good reason for it too. The Toyota pickup truck falls appallingly short on key aspects and barely manages to keep up with the class average. Although a gifted with better hauling power than the Nissan, it may or may not be your pick of the lot. Plagued with reliability issues as a brand, the Nissan is a better option here.

Nissan Frontier Crew Cab vs GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon is the General Motor twin of the Colorado and is almost identical to it except the Payload and towing capacity. The Payload being inferior to the Silverado and even more inferior when compared to the class king Nissan Frontier. GMC Canyon is a worthy opponent that just edges past the Nissan.

Final Verdict

Nissan's plus points are its towing capacity and the economical price point in addition to seating more passengers due to the extra cab. The penny pinching is sure felt on the interior and safety features and the trend continues along the whole series of the Frontier. Still if you can save and spend a little more then there are definitely better options available.

Trims

    S
    $19,290 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • 7-Inch central display
    • Auxiliary audio jack
    • Cloth front bucket seats
    • Rear privacy glass
    • Rearview camera
    • Siri Eyes Free voice command
    • Six-Speaker sound system w/ CD player
    SV
    $24,160 onwards
    • 16-Inch alloy wheels
    • Dual-Zone automatic climate control
    • Power accessories
    • Sliding rear window
    Desert Runner
    $26,600 onwards
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Foglights
    • High-Performance shock absorbers
    PRO-4X
    $33,440 onwards
    • 16 machined painted accents aluminum Wheels
    • 5.8-Inch touchscreen infotainment display
    • Driver and front passenger heated-cushion
    • Locking rear differential
    SL
    $34,310 onwards
    • 18-Inch alloy wheels
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Open/Close sliding and tilting glass
    • Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,290- $37,150

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.27

Horsepower

261 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

281 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$20,600- $41,300

Gasoline

6.83

200 hp @ 6300 rpm

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,000- $38,565

Gasoline

7.4

270 hp @ 5500 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

-

Read Review

$21,500- $44,200

Gasoline

6.42

200 hp @ 6300 rpm

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

2

Read Review

$29,990- $43,420

Gasoline

7.43

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

2019 Nissan Frontier vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.1 sec--
    6.6 sec15.0 sec-
    7 sec15.5 sec112 mph
    8.6 sec17 sec100 mph
    9 sec17.8 sec106 mph

    2019 Nissan Frontier vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      17 mpg23 mpg21 mpg21.1 gal.400.9/485.3 mi.
      21 mpg26 mpg23 mpg18 gal.- -
      20 mpg26 mpg22 mpg21 gal.420/546 mi.
      20 mpg26 mpg22 mpg21 gal.420/546 mi.
      19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg19.5 gal.370.5/507 mi.

      2019 Nissan Frontier vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        205.5 in.72.8 in.68.7 in.7.6 in.125.9 in.
        212.7 in.74.3 in.70.4 in.8.4 in.128.3 in.
        212.4 in.74.3 in.70.4 in.8.4 in.128.3 in.
        210.8 in.85.8 in.71.1 in.9 in.126.8 in.
        210 in.78.6 in.70.2 in.7.3 in.125.2 in.

        2019 Nissan Frontier vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          33.5 cu.ft.-33.5 cu.ft.
          -38.4 cu.ft.51.8 cu.ft.
          15.9 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.
          14.1 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.
          -68 cu.ft.33.9 cu.ft.

          2019 Nissan Frontier vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            33.5 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.73 ft.
            14.1 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.74 ft.
            15.9 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.74 ft.
            100.7 cu.ft.-51.8 cu.ft.73 ft.
            11.6 cu.ft.-33.9 cu.ft.64 ft.

            2019 Nissan Frontier vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3500 lbs.900 lbs.3781 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1386 lbs.3984 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1475 lbs.4242 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1427 lbs.3943 lbs.
              -1650 lbs.- -

              2019 Nissan Frontier Pickup Truck Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              22

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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