Ever since the Nissan Frontier’s debut in 1998, it has been Nissan’s best-selling pickup truck. A mainstay in Nissan’s line, the Frontier — also called the Navarra in other markets — offers the best of both worlds by being affordable and efficient while providing the power and utility of a full-size pickup.

The all-new 2019 Nissan Frontier is better than ever, bringing updates and added durability. With an MSRP starting at just $18,900, it’s definitely a great choice to consider for a compact, midsize pickup.

Performance Specs

The 2019 Frontier is a performer. The truck comes standard with a 2.5-liter engine, producing 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. If the standard offering is not your thing, you can opt for the 4.0-liter, V6 engine, which produces 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque.

Not to be confused with a luxury pickup truck, the Frontier is marketed as a no-nonsense, mid-sized pickup truck that is built to stand up against all types of rugged terrain — and it just so happens to live up to the high expectations. The high ground clearance and 4WD make navigating rough terrain effortlessly. With a combination of unique off-road features and advanced technology, the Frontier can travel anywhere the road takes you. To emphasize the Frontier’s durability and ruggedness, it comes with the following unique features:

  • Hill Start Assist helps keep your vehicle from rolling backward when on steep inclines by holding the brake pressure while you switch into acceleration.
  • Hill Descent Control is used when driving down a steep grade. As you descend, the system automatically controls speed and brake pressure without your assistance.
  • Electronic Locking Rear Differential works in addition to 4WD. When you need an extra boost, the electronic locking rear differential will provide additional traction to help you keep moving forward, even in the toughest of terrains.

Although the 2019 Frontier is mid-sized, this pickup can flex. With a maximum tow load of 6,725 lbs., you can haul heavy loads from Point A to Point B with no problem. If you’re looking to haul a smaller load of cargo, the Frontier’s truck bed is also impressive and has the capability to handle up to 1,460 lbs.

Fuel Efficiency

It doesn’t matter whether you have a long daily commute or stay close to home. Maximizing your miles per gallon is important.

The Nissan Frontier gets 23 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city, which is very desirable for a pickup truck. In fact, the Frontier made Kelley Blue Book’s list of the most fuel-efficient trucks of 2019.

Safety and Entertainment Features

While the 2019 Nissan Frontier doesn’t come with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, active lane control, or blind-spot monitoring, it does come standard equipped with required safety features, such as front and side airbags, traction control, stability control, and a rearview camera. Thanks to all these safety measures, the IIHS gave the 2019 Nissan Frontier a score of four out of five when it comes to overall safety.

In order to maintain a competitive edge, the 2019 Nissan Frontier doesn’t have many bells or whistles. However, 2019 did bring along a few small changes. Each unit now includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen with the standard infotainment system that replaces the five-inch display from previous model years. Upper trims are equipped with a 5.8-inch screen that includes a navigation system and a satellite radio. Also new for 2019, Nissan now offers a new exterior paint color, Cayenne Red. It may surprise you to know that the base model does not include standard features like power windows or power locks.

For those desiring an update, stay tuned for the 2020 Nissan Frontier model. According to reports, Nissan is completely redesigning the Frontier and are almost finished.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is a big competitor of the Nissan Frontier. It is probably the most carlike pickup in its class. The Ridgeline does not have off-road capabilities, nor is its towing capacity comparable to the Frontier. One area where it does excel over the Frontier is that it has a higher payload capacity. The Frontier offers crew cab and double cab options, whereas you can only purchase the Ridgeline in a crew cab option. The Ridgeline comes standard with a V6 engine and has an upscale interior but is also $10,000 more than the base price of the Frontier. In many capacities, the Ridgeline is a better option, but it still does not have the towing capacity, affordability, or simplicity that the Frontier can provide.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a high-ranking compact pickup and is one of the top competitors of the Nissan Frontier. Like the Frontier, the Tacoma is built for off-roading and has towing and hauling capabilities. They both offer a four-cylinder engine as well as a V6, with very similar horsepower and torque produced. Fuel economy is also very comparable between the two rivals. When it comes to technology, you won’t find an abundance of it in either of these trucks. Tacoma is rated to have slightly better handling on the road than the Frontier. In 2016, the Toyota Tacoma had a design upgrade, making it a more attractive option than the outdated Nissan Frontier.

Overall, the Frontier and the Tacoma are very comparable pickup trucks. When it comes to which is better, the Tacoma rates slightly higher, but at the same time, it also comes in at a higher price tag.

Pros and Cons

Pro: Configuration Options

The 2019 Nissan Frontier allows you to customize your pickup. You can make the Frontier work for you and your needs. If you would like to haul more items, you can elect to choose an extended bed. If you need more room in your truck’s cabin, you may want to go with the extended cab. You can also choose whether you want a V6 or I4 engine and a manual or automatic transmission. If you don’t need 4WD, you can opt for the less expensive 2WD models as well.

Pro: Steering and Handling

The Frontier offers exceptional control of the wheel with tight and responsive movements. When you make a sharp turn, the body of the truck turns with you without shifting from underneath you. The six-speed automatic or manual transmission systems both work well and shift smoothly.

Con: Outdated Exterior and Interior

The new 2019 Nissan Frontier isn’t really new other than a few minor upgrades. In reality, it’s the same truck that we’ve seen since 2005. As the competition gets facelifts to keep up with the times, the Frontier seems to be stuck in a time continuum.

Autoversed

This article was worked on by a variety of people from the Autoversed team, including freelancers, editors, and/or other full-time employees.