2006 Nissan Frontier Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2006 Nissan Frontier includes a full evaluation of the 2006 Nissan Frontier from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2006 Nissan Frontier, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2006 Nissan Frontier help you decide if a 2006 Nissan Frontier is right for you.

2006 Nissan Frontier Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6)	Interior materials

	Maneuverability

	Rear-seat room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6	4.8

Only V6 models made available for test so far. Class-leading horsepower makes them strong from a stop and around town, especially the lighter King Cabs. Automatic transmission kicks down quickly for good midrange passing punch. Maximum towing capacity is 5000 lb.

Fuel Economy

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4

Test automatic-transmission 4WD Crew Cab averaged 14.5 mpg. Nissan recommends regular-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	4.3

Firm, but absorbent. Sharp ridges register, but don't jar. Typical trucklike bounding, jiggle over bumps is quickly quelled. Various tire sizes make little difference to comfort.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	3.9

Nicely balanced for a pickup truck. Steering weighty, direct, but slow enough to frustrate in tight U-turns and parking spots. Body lean evident in corners but well-controlled, and Frontier never feels tippy.

Quietness

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4.4

V6 growls at full throttle, but isn't unduly loud. Wind rush evident over 60 mph, rises sharply with speed. Tires drone on coarse pavement, and NISMO's all-terrain tires whine at highway speeds.

Controls

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5.8

Simple, handy layout. Controls within easy reach, but feel light and plasticky. Hard plastic abounds on dashboard, console, door panels, and looks low-buck; other cabin materials predictably workmanlike.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6	5.2

Good six-footer head and leg room. Seats comfortable, but need more side bolstering to hold front passengers in place through turns. Wide-base windshield pillars can hinder visibility to front corners; good views to rear corners, directly aft.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
2	3	3	2.5

King Cab's rear seats best used for small cargo; only preteens will fit. Crew Cab has more space, but leg room still kid-size with front seats even halfway back, and head room is tight for six-footers--especially beneath sunroof housing.

Cargo Room

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	3.7

Both cab types provide useful space behind front seats. Some thoughtful small-item storage up front, though console's shallow tray needs a rubber mat to keep objects from sliding around.

Value within Class

2WD SE King Cab, V6 auto.	4WD LE Crew Cab, auto.	4WD NISMO Crew Cab, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6	6.2

Frontier carves out a nice niche for itself in the compact-pickup market with a powerful V6, middle of the pack size, and options that appeal to off-road enthusiasts. Ride and handling are also good for the class, but interiors disappoint with too much tacky plastic and subpar rear-seat room.

Total Score