2003 Nissan Frontier Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　Nissan's compact pickup rolls into 2003 with many new enhancements. Most interesting is a power-operated retractable top. The "Open Sky" top -- essentially a giant sunroof -- is optional on Crew Cab models. For safety, Nissan has added standard dual-stage front airbags for Crew Cabs, standard LATCH child seat anchors on King Cabs and Crew cabs, an optional stability control system and an optional tire pressure monitoring system. Other changes for 2003 include 10 more horsepower for normally aspirated V6 models, a driver seat-height adjuster and standard Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). King Cabs now have standard ABS, a new storage bin and a new first aid kit (V6 only).

　　

zzdcar says

　　With a variety of body styles, engines and trims, the Frontier should cover just about every compact truck buyer's needs.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab Standard Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$178/mo  for Frontier Standard

　　Frontier Standard

　　2dr King Cab Standard Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M) - $13,149 MSRP2dr King Cab XE Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M) - $14,199 MSRP2dr King Cab XE Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 4A) - $15,349 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 Desert Runner Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $16,339 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 Desert Runner Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $17,489 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $18,599 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $18,939 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $19,149 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $19,749 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,089 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,299 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $21,199 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $21,749 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $22,349 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $22,899 MSRP2dr King Cab SE-V6 Desert Runner Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,839 MSRP2dr King Cab SC-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 5M) - $20,989 MSRP2dr King Cab SC-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $22,139 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) (Most Popular) - $24,049 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $24,599 MSRP2dr King Cab SC-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $24,739 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $26,649 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $27,199 MSRP2dr King Cab SVE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 5M) - $21,579 MSRP2dr King Cab SVE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $22,729 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SVE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $24,679 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SVE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $25,229 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SE-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $22,549 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $23,099 MSRP2dr King Cab SE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $23,439 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SE-V6 Rwd SB w/Leather (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $24,139 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SE-V6 Rwd LB w/Leather (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $24,689 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SE-V6 4WD SB w/Leather (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $25,959 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SE-V6 4WD LB w/Leather (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $26,509 MSRP

　　vs

　　$218/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Nissan has been building trucks for the U.S. market since 1958. Now in its seventh generation of pickup offerings, the company's 2003 Frontier-badged model is the result of constant improvement since the last major redesign in 1998. This year, Nissan has focused on safety, as well as fun. A stability control system is available, as is a tire-pressure monitor. Both are industry firsts for a compact pickup. A wide variety of bodies, features and trim levels are the Frontier's best attributes. The lineup ranges from a basic (and inexpensive) two-wheel drive King Cab to the supercharged Crew Cab long bed. The supercharged S/C trucks are pricey, which is perhaps why Nissan offers value versions (the SVE trim) for the King Cab and Crew Cab. If your compact pickup needs are quite specific, the Frontier might be your truck. But we certainly recommend shopping around. The Toyota Tacoma, in particular, is another compact pickup you'll want to consider.

　　

Performance & mpg

　　A supercharged 3.3-liter V6 is the most powerful engine, and it makes 210 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque when mated to the four-speed automatic transmission (the five-speed manual drops the torque rating to 231 lb-ft). There's also a normally aspirated V6 worth 180 hp and a 2.4-liter four that produces 143 hp. If you want to tow, our suggestion is either V6 and the automatic transmission. This configuration gives the Frontier its maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. Four-wheel drive is available on V6 trucks only.

　　

Safety

　　Nissan has upped the safety ante for 2003 with the addition of optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and an optional tire-pressure monitor. ABS is standard on all trucks. The NHTSA has given the Frontier Crew Cab very good crash test scores. The IIHS, however, has indicated that the Frontier fares poorly in frontal offset crashes, as shown by its test of a 1998 Frontier regular cab.

　　

Driving

　　Nissan likes to tout that its supercharged V6 offers the most horsepower in any V6 compact pickup. While true, we've found that real-world results are a bit disappointing. The supercharged engine has great off-idle responses but runs out of breath quickly. Off-road performance is about average for this class of truck.

　　

Interior

　　The Frontier's cabin is one of the better ones available in the compact pickup class. A common complaint for the Crew Cab since its introduction, however, has been its cramped rear seat. A shortage of rear legroom is the major culprit.

　　

2003 Nissan Frontier models

　　The Frontier is highly configurable to better match your particular needs. There are two main body styles: King Cab and Crew Cab. The King Cab is Nissan's extended-cab pickup. It has front bucket seats and additional seating for two passengers in fold-down rear jump seats. Available trim levels include the no-frills standard truck and four-cylinder XE, the V6-powered XE and SE and the supercharged S/C and SVE. The S/C is the most feature-laden. Those looking for power and a smaller price tag should consider the more reasonably priced SVE. Four-wheel drive is available on most of these models, but if you just want the tough look of a 4WD, Nissan offers the Desert Runner, 2WD King Cab featuring the same heavy-duty chassis, ride height and stance as the 4WD Frontier.

　　Compared to the King Cab, the Frontier Crew Cab has a larger cabin with expanded rear-seat accommodations. Rear forward-hinged doors offer improved access to seats. The V6 (normally aspirated and supercharged) is the only engine available, and trim levels are the same except that there is no standard Crew Cab. In the past, the Crew Cab only came with a truncated 56.3-inch cargo bed, but last year Nissan began offering the Crew Cab Long Bed.

　　

2003 Frontier Highlights

Type: Crew CabKing CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: XE-V6SE-V6SC-V6SVE-V6XE-V6

　　

Base MSRP	$18,599
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$226/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	3,500 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles