Nissan's compact pickup trucks are redesigned for 2005. They're larger, more powerful, and have new features, including available curtain side airbags. Frontier comes in extended King Cab and Crew Cab body styles. King Cabs have flip-up rear seats and rear-hinged back doors that don't open independently of the fronts. Crews have a fold-down rear bench and four conventional doors. King Cabs have a 6.1-ft bed, Crew Cabs a 5.0-ft bed. Based on a shortened version of Nissan's full-size Titan pickup platform, the '05 Frontier is 9.8 inches longer in wheelbase than the 1998-2004 Frontier and as much as 12.4 inches longer overall.

XE, SE, LE, and NISMO models are offered; XE is exclusive to King Cabs. The NISMO Off-Road is named for Nissan's motorsports arm. Both cab styles are available with rear-wheel drive or 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Standard on XE is a 154-hp 4-cyl engine, replacing the previous Frontier's 143-hp 4-cyl. Standard on all other models is a 265-hp V6, replacing 180-hp and 210-hp V6s. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard with the 4-cyl, a 6-speed manual is standard with the V6; the available automatic is now a 5-speed instead of a 4-speed.

Frontiers come with antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. Front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows are available. Traction control and an antiskid system are optional. NISMO models have Bilstein-brand shock absorbers, skid plates, locking rear differential, and all-terrain tires. They also offer Hill Start Assist, which prevents sliding backward, and Hill Descent Control designed to limit speed down steep slopes. The '05 Frontiers are available with a factory spray-in bedliner and Nissan's Utili-Track cargo-bed system with adjustable tie-downs and storage accessories. Other options include heated front seats and a tubular roof rack.