2021 Nissan Frontier
| MSRP | $29,350 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $27,035 |
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2021 Nissan Frontier Review
- Plenty of punch from the V6 engine
- The Pro-4X model is a capable off-roader
- Doesn't steer or handle with confidence on pavement
- Uncomfortable crew-cab rear seats have tight legroom
- Fuel economy lags behind several rivals
- Interior materials look and feel cheap
- No significant changes for the 2021 Frontier
- Last year for the second Frontier generation introduced for 2005
A time capsule of a midsize pickup truck, the 2021 Nissan Frontier is essentially the same vehicle that first arrived in showrooms back in 2005. The rugged styling has aged remarkably well, but stepping into the plastic fantastic interior is like teleporting back to an era when Beyonce was still a member of Destiny's Child and Lance Armstrong "won" the Tour de France.
In other words, the 2021 Frontier is downright ancient, and the low scores of our Expert Rating below reflects its age. A new 2022 Nissan Frontier is coming soon, however. That means, between now and the 2022 Frontier's arrival, you can likely land a great deal on the reliable workhorse that is the 2021 Frontier. It comes in extended-cab and crew-cab styles, and in three choices of trim. They all have a robust powertrain that debuted for the 2020 model year and will carry over into the next-generation Frontier.
Our verdict | |
Engine performance, thanks to the Frontier's newest 3.8-liter V6, is pleasing. Unfortunately, technology features, towing and hauling capabilities, on-road comfort and overall refinement are still way behind segment standards. There are simply too many drawbacks compared to other top rivals. The main reason to consider the Frontier is if you're simply looking for an inexpensive, no-frills midsize truck. | |
How does the Frontier drive? | |
The 3.8-liter V6 engine makes strong power. The shifts from the nine-speed automatic are quick and smooth, and the truck scoots around town with relative ease. Maximum acceleration, though, is pretty average. Our test Frontier sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is about the same as a V6-equipped Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma. The Frontier's brakes feel soft, and there's a long pedal travel before they start to work. The combination gives the driver little confidence in hard braking scenarios. The steering is extremely vague, communicating very little about what's happening with the front tires. And while the Frontier's handling is likely within the limits of what you'd expect from a pickup, midcorner bumps upset the rear end, more so than in rivals. Off-roading capability is pretty good, though, thanks to some added equipment from the Pro-4X trim, including a locking rear differential and skid plates. | |
How comfortable is the Frontier? | |
This Frontier seems harsh even up against rough-and-tumble rivals such as the Jeep Gladiator and the Tacoma. The front seats lack sufficient bolstering and don't have much lumbar support. The back seats are even flatter, with a pretty upright position that would make road trips uncomfortable. The ride quality is poor as well, with many sharp and harsh bumps making their way into the cabin. By truck standards, it's relatively quiet inside the Frontier. The most prominent noise comes from wind moving over the large sideview mirrors. The climate control system works well, with the A/C cooling things down quickly on a hot day. The heated seats, however, are less impressive. They don't get very warm and after the initial warm-up period, they fizz out to mediocre pretty quickly. | |
How’s the interior? | |
For the driver, the Frontier has a spacious feel and good forward visibility. The tall side windows and large windshield offer an expansive view of the road. The cabin controls, while small and dated, are easy to find and operate. The large side mirrors provide a good view of the adjacent lanes, but the large front pillars and rear headrests obstruct your view through turns and directly behind pretty significantly. Getting into the front seat, even in the off-road-oriented Pro-4X model, is surprisingly easy thanks to wide-opening doors. Getting into the rear seat isn't as easy — we had to duck quite a bit. | |
How’s the tech? | |
There isn't much tech in the Frontier to speak of. What does exist falls well below class standards. There's only one USB port in the cabin, and if you use it to connect your smartphone, there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration on the other end. Bluetooth is an option, but the Bluetooth audio connection dropped out several times during our test. Navigation is present on the Pro-4X's 5.8-inch touchscreen, but you'll need to type in most of your destinations since the voice controls have a hard time understanding most addresses or any natural language. Driver aids are also absent in the Frontier, with no adaptive cruise, forward collision, blind-spot monitoring or other high-tech systems to speak of. The rearview camera worked just fine, but the display is small and low-resolution. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The Frontier is smaller than every one of its rivals. In crew-cab form, it's about 7 inches shorter than the Colorado and nearly 13 inches shorter than the Gladiator. That means less space for cargo on the inside and a smaller bed. Small-item storage is limited, and even fitting large items in the back seat was tough due to the optional Rockford Fosgate subwoofer under the rear seat. The Frontier's bed side rails and movable tie-down cleats are helpful for securing cargo. Towing and hauling capabilities are enough to get by with, but they're on the low end in the midsize truck segment. Maximum payload capability is 1,460 pounds, and towing capacity is 6,720 pounds when properly equipped. | |
How economical is the Frontier? | |
With four-wheel drive, the Frontier gets an EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined. That's on par with other midsize trucks with a V6 engine and automatic transmission. Our Pro-4X test truck averaged 18.1 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, which is a mix of city and highway driving — that's not as good as we expected. | |
Is the Frontier a good value? | |
Depending on the trim level you choose, the Frontier can be priced a bit lower than most of its rivals. But with the truck's base four-cylinder engine no longer on offer, much of the Frontier's "basic-but-cheap" status goes out the window. When you spec it up to match even the lowest of rival trims, the Frontier has less available equipment and an antiquated interior. Build quality is good, with no squeaks or rattles from the interior, but the materials feel and look cheap — and you've got to look at those on a daily basis. Similar to the competition, the Frontier offers a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance. The roadside assistance covers flat tires, fuel delivery, jump-starts and lockouts. | |
Wildcard | |
If you want something basic, the Frontier is a good choice. Go ahead — drive over speed bumps, take rain puddles at full clip, do it all. But in the city, on curving roads or anywhere that isn't an off-road park with lots of mud, it's not enjoyable to drive. This truck looks and feels like it time-warped in from 2005. | |
Which Frontier does Edmunds recommend?
Of the 2021 Nissan Frontier's three trim levels, we recommend the SV. It offers a wide range of configurability and available equipment, and you can add the Midnight Edition package to the SV for a blacked-out appearance.
Nissan Frontier models
Nissan offers the 2021 Frontier in extended-cab (King Cab) and crew-cab styles with a 5-foot or 6.1-foot cargo bed. A 3.8-liter V6 (310 horsepower, 281 lb-ft of torque) is standard, and it runs through a nine-speed automatic transmission and the rear wheels unless you choose the optional four-wheel-drive system.
Save as much as $2,847 with Edmunds
2021 Nissan Frontier pricing
in Ashburn, VA
S
3.8L 6cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$27,035
1 for sale in 20147
SV
3.8L 6cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$29,988
33 for sale in 20147
PRO-4X
3.8L 6cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$36,698
9 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Nissan Frontier.
Trending topics in reviews
- appearance
- interior
- sound system
- dashboard
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Very nice. Has plenty of power. Drives well,
Dan Parks,
PRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A)
Go drive one
4/5 stars, ALMOST PERFECT
Daniel,
SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A)
My wife and I went shopping for a new vehicle because we had sold my Mazda B-4000 pickup truck, with 195,000 milrd on iy. We went by the Nissan store, looking at some Nissan Frontier pickups.. We were impressed with the one I purchased, a Frontier (V-6). I've driven it almost 1,000 miles sine I purchased it. To date, it drives well, except some minor vibration in steering column when driving on rough roads. Also, I anticipated having a CD player in the truck. After purchasing it, I noticed that it doesn't have one and to play my CD's, I have to record them on a flash drive which fits into the flash drive player on my dash. Mileage isn't as good as my Mazda, but almost as good. No mechanical problems, except one, the seat belt bolt cover on front passenger seatbelt is broken.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Frontier safety features:
- Vehicle Dynamic Control
- This stability control system applies the brakes to help correct an impending loss of control.
- Rearview Monitor
- A backup camera shows you what's behind the truck when reversing.
- Siri Eyes Free
- The digital voice assistant works with a connected Apple iPhone, allowing the driver to remain focused on the road ahead.
Nissan Frontier vs. the competition
2021 Nissan Frontier
2021 Chevrolet Colorado
Nissan Frontier vs. Chevrolet Colorado
Among midsize pickups, the current-generation Chevrolet Colorado is the second oldest truck in the segment after the Nissan Frontier. Nevertheless, the Colorado's design is a decade newer than the Nissan's. Chevrolet offers gasoline and diesel engines, hard-core off-roading models, more advanced infotainment and safety technologies, and a long list of custom accessories. Importantly, the Colorado tows and hauls more weight too. Over the years, we've lived with two different versions of the current-generation Colorado. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and our long-term road test of a diesel-powered 2017 Colorado ZR2.
Nissan Frontier vs. Honda Ridgeline
For something completely different, consider the Honda Ridgeline. It has a more carlike unibody construction rather than a traditional body-on-frame design, but it's still plenty capable. The Ridgeline also boasts a powerful and refined V6 engine, standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and innovative features including a dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk. If you want to learn more about what it's like to live with a Ridgeline, we've got the insight you seek. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda Ridgeline.
Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma
In some ways the Tacoma is just as rough, raw and rugged as the Nissan Frontier. Maximum towing and payload ratings are about the same too. But the Tacoma asserts superiority when it comes to off-roading capability, four-wheel-drive technology, infotainment features and safety systems. As if to underscore its ultimate purpose, a GoPro mount is an option. We spent almost two years and more than 40,000 miles living with the Toyota Tacoma and it was quite an adventure. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Toyota Tacoma.
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FAQ
Is the Nissan Frontier a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Frontier both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.6 out of 10. You probably care about Nissan Frontier fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Frontier gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg to 20 mpg, depending on the configuration. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Nissan Frontier. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Nissan Frontier:
- No significant changes for the 2021 Frontier
- Last year for the second Frontier generation introduced for 2005
Is the Nissan Frontier reliable?
To determine whether the Nissan Frontier is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Frontier. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Frontier's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Nissan Frontier a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Nissan Frontier is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Frontier and gave it a 6.6 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Frontier is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Nissan Frontier?
The least-expensive 2021 Nissan Frontier is the 2021 Nissan Frontier S 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,200.
Other versions include:
- SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $32,290
- S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $31,590
- SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $32,710
- S 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $28,200
- SV 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $29,100
- PRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $37,790
- SV 4dr Crew Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $31,710
What are the different models of Nissan Frontier?
If you're interested in the Nissan Frontier, the next question is, which Frontier model is right for you? Frontier variants include SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A), S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A), SV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A), and S 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A). For a full list of Frontier models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more