2004 Nissan Frontier Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　The SE now sports 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and tires.

　　

zzdcar says

　　With its numerous body styles and trim levels, the Frontier provides plenty of practicality, but power-hungry truck buyers will find its V6 engine thirsty and weak.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 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

　　$174/mo  for Frontier Standard

　　Frontier Standard

　　2dr King Cab Standard Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M) - $13,490 MSRP2dr King Cab XE Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M) - $14,540 MSRP2dr King Cab XE Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 4A) - $15,690 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 Desert Runner Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $16,740 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 Desert Runner Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $17,890 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $19,070 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $19,340 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $19,620 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,220 MSRP2dr King Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,490 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,770 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $21,670 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M) - $22,220 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $22,820 MSRP4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $23,370 MSRP2dr King Cab SVE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 5M) - $21,980 MSRP2dr King Cab SVE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $23,130 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SVE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $25,150 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SVE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $25,700 MSRP4dr Crew Cab LE-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $23,020 MSRP4dr Crew Cab LE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 4A) - $23,570 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 Rwd SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) (Most Popular) - $24,520 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $25,070 MSRP2dr King Cab SC-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $25,140 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $27,120 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A) - $27,670 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 2004 Frontier-badged model is the result of constant improvement since the last major redesign in 1998. A reskin in 2001 gave the Frontier its current look along with an available supercharged V6. Since then, the Frontier has added a long-bed version, and options like electronic stability control and a tire-pressure monitor -- all compact truck exclusives. The wide variety of body styles, 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, but lower-priced value versions are also available. The Frontier isn't the best compact truck in every category, but few trucks offer a comparable blend of modern styling, high-tech features and all-around versatility.

　　

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 to go with the 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

　　Last year, Nissan upped the safety ante among compact pickups with the addition of optional stability control (called VDC) and a tire-pressure monitor. ABS is standard on all trucks. In government crash testing, the Frontier earned four out of five stars for frontal impact protection and a perfect five stars for side impacts. The IIHS, however, gave the Frontier a "Poor" rating, the worst possible, in frontal offset crash testing.

　　

Driving

　　Nissan likes to tout that its supercharged V6 offers the most horsepower in any V6 compact pickup. While that's true, we've found that real-world results are a bit disappointing. The supercharged engine has great off-idle response 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, with comfortable front seats and an attractive design. A common complaint for the Crew Cab, however, is its cramped rear seat. A shortage of rear legroom is the major culprit.

　　

2004 Nissan Frontier models

　　The Frontier comes in two body styles -- extended cab (known as King Cab) and crew cab. 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. Available only as two-wheel-drive King Cabs, the standard and four-cylinder XE models come with only basic amenities, along with front bucket seats and fold-down rear jump seats. The V6-equipped XE and SE are available with more features, including alloy wheels, air conditioning and a six-speaker CD stereo. The S/C is the most feature-laden, offering full power accessories. Leather upholstery and a 300-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo are optional on the SE and S/C. Those looking for supercharged 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, a 2WD King Cab featuring the same heavy-duty chassis, ride height and stance as the 4WD Frontier. Compared to the King Cab, the Crew Cab has a larger cabin with expanded rear-seat accommodations as well as a pair of conventional rear doors that offer easier access to those seats. The V6 (normally aspirated or supercharged) is the only engine available. Two cargo bed lengths are available on the Crew Cab -- a 56.3-inch short bed and a 74.6-inch long bed.

　　

2004 Frontier Highlights

Type: Crew CabKing CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: XE-V6LE-V6SC-V6SVE-V6XE-V6

　　

Base MSRP	$19,070
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