2003 Nissan Frontier - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	XE King Cab 4WD, man. Rating (See All Ratings)	Compact Pickup Truck Average Rating

Acceleration	3	4.4

Fuel Economy	3	4

Ride Quality	3	3.6

Steering/Handling/Braking	3	3.4

Quietness	3	3.3

Controls	5	5.7

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)	4	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2	1.5

Cargo Room	3	2.7

Value within Class	3	6.5

Total Score:	32	39.1

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

2003 NISSAN FRONTIER BUYING RESOURCES

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2003 Nissan Frontier Review

An optional antiskid system and tire-pressure monitor headline '03 additions to these compact pickups. Frontier offers two cab styles: a 2-dr extended cab called King Cab, and a 4-dr Crew Cab. The price-leader Standard model and the Desert Runner, both King Cabs, come only with rear-wheel drive. Other Frontiers offer 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. King Cabs use a 6.2-ft cargo box. Crew Cabs offer 4.6- and 6.2-ft boxes. The 6.2-ft box adds 15 inches to the wheelbase. A 4-cyl engine is standard for 2WD King Cabs. The 4WD models and all Crew Cabs come with a V6 that gains 10 hp for '03. A supercharged V6 powers SVE and S/C versions of both cab styles; these models also get larger wheels and stiffer suspension. All engines team with manual or automatic transmission. ABS is standard. The antiskid system is bundled in an option package that also includes traction control and a tire-pressure monitor. The package is available on 4WD XE and SE Crew Cabs. Crew Cabs continue with a 3-passenger rear bench seat, but King Cabs now have one instead of two rear jump seats. A driver-seat adjustment for height and lumbar support is a new feature for selected models.

Competition

Dodge Dakota and Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda Truck) are our Best Buys. Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine, full-time 4WD, and near-full-size cargo and towing capacity. Ranger is the most refined and probably the best daily use vehicle.

Toyota Tacoma is our Recommended choice. It's every bit as good as the Ranger in daily use, just a tad more expensive.

News

A new Frontier is reportedly due for 2005, possibly '06. The related Xterra SUV gets its own redesign about a year afterwards. Little is known about either just now, but look for Frontier to emulate the general burly look of Nissan's new full-size 2004 Titan. We'd also expect a larger, more potent V6 and perhaps a first-time V8 option.

The basic design of today's Frontier was never that great, and interim updates haven't done much for sales. In 2002, for example, Frontier dropped 15.9 percent from its '01 tally, which in turn was 17.8 percent down on calendar 2000 sales.

Titan bows later this year in 2-dr King Cab and 4-dr Crew Cab models with 2- and 4WD. Cargo beds come with a plastic liner and "Utili-track" attachment rails for securing cargo. King Cabs feature rear access doors that open from the front up to 180 degrees, an industry first. There's only one powertream, but it's all-new, comprising a 5.6-liter V8 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. With over 300 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque, Titan can tow up to 9400 pounds, Nissan says, so Tital rivals most big domestic-brand pickups on that score. Ditto dimensions, performance and fuel economy. All models come with 4-wheel ABS disc brakes. The 4WD system employs an electronically controlled low-range transfer case. An available off-road package includes an electronic locking differential, plus heavy-duty shock absorbers, chassis skid plates, and large all-terrain tires. Standard wheels are steel 17-inchers; 17- and 18-inch alloys will be available.

Not surprisingly, Titan will be the basis for Nissan's first full-size SUV, the recently announced 2004 Pathfinder Armada. Both are built at Nissan's new truck plant in Canton, Mississippi.

2003 Nissan Frontier Road Test >

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