Nissan Frontier Generations: Through the Years

Throughout various Nissan Frontier generations, the small pickup changed features, size, and styling. Join us for a look at its history.

A Stable Frontier

When it comes to the compact pickup market, Nissan has a lengthy history. They started with the Datsun 220, produced in the late 1950s as the first compact truck in the United States. After the Datsun, there was the Nissan Hardbody, which existed for a solid decade, starting in 1985. Now, it’s the Nissan Frontier. Although the Nissan Frontier was first released in 1997 as a 1998 model year, the popular pickup existed outside of North America under other names, like the Nissan Navara.

Whatever name you know it by, this truck has become known for consistent sales, best-in-class horsepower, largest-in-class touchscreens, and commendable overall versatility. From compact to midsize, the Nissan Frontier has certainly evolved. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we look at the Nissan Frontier generations.

First Generation Nissan Frontier (1998-2004)

1999 Nissan Frontier – usa.nissannews.com |  Shop Nissan Frontier on Carsforsale.com

• The 1998 Nissan Frontier was designed to replace the outgoing Nissan D21 Hardbody Truck.
• It was offered in single cab or King Cab models.
• Every 1998 Nissan Frontier was offered with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
• The first Frontier that rolled off the production line had a 4-cylinder (engine)
• A V6 was added to the 1999 Nissan Frontier.
• The Frontier Crew Cab was also introduced with the 1999 model year.

• The Crew Cab had four full-sized doors, a first for compact trucks.
• Nissan expanded the 2000 Nissan Frontier lineup to 11 models with various configurations, including the new Desert Runner and four-door Frontier Crew Cab.
• Nissan’s 2000 Frontier had the deepest cargo bed in its class.
• 2001 Nissan Frontier models received a facelift, featuring distinctive headlights and a bold, protruding grille.
• There were 14 different models of the 2001 Nissan Frontier made available in three different trim levels: the XE, SE, and SC.
• Most of them featured a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that produced 143 horsepower.

• A supercharged 3.3-liter V6 was also offered in the 2001 Nissan Frontier SC V6 model.
• A year later, the instrument panel was redesigned for the 2002 Nissan Frontier.
• One of the new features in the 2003 Nissan Frontier was a powered retractable top, an option on Crew Cab models.
• All 2003 Nissan Frontier models in the 4×4 style received a 3.3-liter V6 engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
• 10 additional horsepower was distributed by the engine in the 2003 Frontier.
• In the 2004 Frontier SE, alloy wheels were updated 17 inches.

Second Generation Nissan Frontier (2005-2021)

• No longer a compact pickup, the 2005 Nissan Frontier saw the vehicle grow in size, moving up to the midsize pickup category.
• Exterior body styling was updated, similar to the Nissan Titan.
• The 2005 Nissan Frontier had a fully-boxed ladder frame.
• The Single Cab was dropped from the 2005 Frontier lineup.
• A 4-liter V6 with 261 horsepower was available along with a 4-cylinder with 152 horsepower.
• The dashboard was updated with optional car-like finishes, including leather upholstery.

• A Power Package was made available in the 2006 Nissan Frontier for the King Cab XE trim.
• That package included satin ring accents for meter gauges, chrome vent trim on certain models, and exterior colors in red or blue.
• Small updates like a passenger-side seatbelt reminder light and an aux jack that works with an mp3 player were made to the 2007 Nissan Frontier.
• The 2007 Frontier continued to share its suspension layout and several component designs with the Titan.
• Starting with the 2008 Nissan Frontier, technology was upgraded in a new technology package, which offered steering wheel audio controls, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, and XM satellite radio.
• A new finish was applied to 16-inch Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) wheels.

• Nissan focused on off-roading with the new 2009 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X.
• Off-road high-pressure shock absorbers, additional skid plates on the oil pan, and 16-inch BFGoodrich tires all came with the Frontier PRO-4X.
• A new front fascia grille and headlight design were also part of the 2009 Nissan Frontier release.
• The 2009 Frontier kept the 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine.
• Side-curtain airbags and front-side airbags were offered as standard features in every 2010 Nissan Frontier.
• The 2011 Nissan Frontier lineup consisted of the S, SV, PRO-4X, and SL (in a Crew cab only).

• Available in a Crew Cab or King Cab, the 2012 Nissan Frontier included a few additions such as standard 2-Wheel Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on 4-cylinder engine equipped models.
• Nissan introduced a new Desert Runner trim for the 2013 Nissan Frontier.
• Fuel economy on most 2013 Frontiers increased by one or two miles per gallon because of reduced engine friction and enhanced aerodynamics.
• Rear sonar, dual-zone air conditioning, automatic headlights, and a revised Satin Chrome grille finish were also added to the 2013 Nissan Frontier.
• Heated front cloth seats became standard on all 2014 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X models.
• A manual sliding rear window was added to almost all Crew Cab models as a standard feature.

• Enhancements in the 2015 Nissan Frontier include a moonroof on Frontier SL Long Wheelbase models, NissanConnect navigation on PRO-4X models, and a 5.0-inch color display on the Frontier SV and Desert Runner.
• In the 2016 Nissan Frontier, two engines were available: a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 with 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque or a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder with 152-horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque.
• Several years into the second generation of this vehicle, the Nissan Frontier continued to be offered in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles, and in 4×2 or 4×4 configurations.
• Sales of the 2016 Nissan Frontier peaked at 86,926 units, the highest the vehicle had ever reached.
• Bed rail caps, a spray-in bedliner, splash guards, and rubber floor mats are all part of a new S Work Truck Package, available with the 2017 Nissan Frontier.
• A rearview camera and Bluetooth were made standard features for the 2018 Nissan Frontier.

• All 2018 Nissan Frontier models include standard Bluetooth, cruise control, air conditioning, and a 5.0-inch color display audio feature.
• A 7-inch touch screen became standard in the 2019 Nissan Frontier.
• The 2020 Nissan Frontier received an under-the-hood refresh with a new V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission, making 310 horsepower with 281 lb-ft of torque.
• Nissan eliminated the 4-cylinder engine along with the 5-speed manual transmission, 6-speed manual transmission, and 5-speed automatic transmission.
• A push-button start, power windows, and power door locks were all added as standard features in the 2020 Frontier.
• Without any changes from the previous year, the 2021 Nissan Frontier base trim had a MSRP of $27,190.

Third Generation Nissan Frontier (2022-Current)

• A completely redesigned 2022 Nissan Frontier kicks off the third generation of this vehicle.
• All four trims (the S, SV, PRO-X, and PRO-4X) received updated exterior styling, including a large grille.
• Fuel economy is estimated at 19 miles per gallon (MPG) and 24 MPG on the highway.
• The 2022 Frontier has just one engine option: the 310-horsepower V6, still mated the nine-speed automatic transmission.
• It’s offered in nine exterior colors across the lineup.
• The 2022 Nissan Frontier seats four people in the King Cab models and seats five people in Crew Cab models.

2022 Nissan Frontier – netcarshow.com |  Shop Nissan Frontier on Carsforsale.com

• A rearview camera, forward collision warning, driver drowsiness monitoring, and forward automatic emergency braking are standard driver assistance features.
• The Frontier PRO-4X has a new off-road mode, which automatically turns cameras on when the vehicle is in the high-torque 4LO setting.
• The standard 8-inch touch screen is a standard feature, along with a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, two USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
• No release date has been announced for the 2023 Nissan Frontier.
• The 2023 Nissan Frontier isn’t expected to have any major updates when compared to the 2022 Nissan Frontier.

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