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When Nissan decided to redesign its Frontier pickup, it scrapped the tired, old platform and started fresh. The 2005 Nissan Frontier doesn't have a single part carried over from 2004. Smart move since new midsize pickups from Dodge and Toyota have recently raised the bar. Another smart move was turning to its award-winning, new-for-2004 full-size Nissan Titan, for inspiration and hardware.
Nissan had already spent millions developing the F-Alpha chassis for its big truck, so it shortened and narrowed the Titan's frame rails to create the foundation for the new, larger Nissan Frontier. Utilizing a modified boxed-steel full-size frame in a midsize truck has never been done before, and the result is one of the most robust platforms ever offered.
To answer complaints about the previous Frontier's lack of power, Nissan started with the 3.5-liter V6 from the 350Z sports car and redesigned it for maximized bottom-end power. Displacement was increased to 4.0 liters, and a new continuously variable valve timing control system was designed. Output is a class-leading 265 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque, enough for a 6,500-pound tow rating.
Buyers can choose between an electronically controlled five-speed automatic and a close-ratio six-speed manual, which is a modified version of the Nissan 350Z transmission.
For off-road aficionados, all of the underbody gear, like the gas tank, has been tucked up above the bottom of the frame rails for maximum ground clearance, which has been increased to 10.1 inches on four-wheel-drive models. Front and rear overhangs have also been shortened to provide best-in-class ramp angles.
Optional features include an electronic locking rear differential; four-wheel traction control; Hill Descent Control, which keeps the vehicle from gaining speed down steep hills; and even Hill-Start Assist Control, which prevents the Frontier from rolling back when starting up a hill.
Although the highway ride is a bit choppy, the new double-wishbone front suspension really improves high-speed stability. This truck feels as solid at 90 mph as it does at 60 mph. We also like the crisp feel of the speed-sensitive power rack and pinion steering, and the appropriately throaty exhaust bellow. And off-road, the Nissan Frontier climbed over obstacles that took our breath away.
If you dream of driving in the Baja 1000, order the optional off-road package developed by Nissan's racing division, NISMO. It adds larger 16-inch alloy wheels, 265/75R16 BFGoodrich tires, Bilstein performance shock absorbers, the previously mentioned locking rear differential as well as skid plates on the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case.
Two body styles will be offered, a Frontier King Cab with flip-up rear jump seats and rear-opening back doors, and a larger Frontier Crew Cab with four full-size doors and a spacious rear bench. Storage space is plentiful. The rear seats on both models flip out of the way, the front-passenger seat can fold flat and a large storage tray is tucked under the rear seats.
Cupholders and other little nooks and crannies abound, and the glovebox is split into two separate sections. A rugged spray-in bed liner is available, four tie-down hooks are standard and Nissan's outstanding Utili-trak locking tie-down system pioneered on the Titan is optional.
Four trim packages will be offered. Nissan says prices won't change significantly from 2004, which means somewhere in the low- to mid-$20Ks should buy you a nice truck.
A low-cost XE trim level is only available on King Cab models and comes standard with a 154-hp, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine; body-color grille; and blacked-out bumpers. The Nissan Frontier SE is traditionally the big seller, however. It'll add the V6, an AM/FM/CD stereo and chrome exterior trim.
Stepping up to the Nissan Frontier LE adds foglamps, cruise control, keyless entry, power-adjustable driver seat, power windows and door locks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, compass and trip computer and an overhead console. The aforementioned NISMO package includes everything an LE gets, plus a full array of off-road gear and a first aid kit.
We wrangled some time in a NISMO four-wheel-drive King Cab on the cracked asphalt highways and off-road trails of Central Texas, and found it to be fun, comfortable and confidence inspiring. The V6 is smooth, quiet and linear as it is in the 350Z, and has plenty of punch. This is a fast truck.
Only NBA-size giants would call the new, larger interior cramped, and we love the deeply padded and softly upholstered bucket seats. The large, comfortably padded steering wheel is packed with thumb-operated controls, and secondary controls like the turn signal, wipers and cruise control are well within reach.
Our only complaint with the Nissan Frontier is that every interior panel is made of rock-hard plastic. The fit and finish is stellar, and everything looks nicely sculpted, but the complete lack of soft-touch material is noticeable.
But let's face it: These are minor hang-ups in a truck that's as tough as Texas, especially one that turned the roughest Texas territory into a joyride. If you've got truck shopping to do this season, you'll have a lot of choices, but the 2005 Nissan Frontier belongs on your short list.
Used 2005 Nissan Frontier listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2005 Nissan Frontiers for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 380 used and CPO 2005 Frontiers listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 5,999 and mileage as low as 125,244. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2005 Nissan Frontier. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2005 Frontier available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2005 Nissan Frontier ?
Save up to $300 on one of 6 used 2005 Nissan Frontiers for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $5999 as of Apr 25, 2018, based on data from 6 dealers and 1 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 5 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2005 Nissan Frontier trim styles:
The used 2005 Nissan Frontier LE is priced around $5999 with average odometer reading of 209829 miles.
The used 2005 Nissan Frontier Nismo is priced around $11450 with average odometer reading of 125244 miles.
The used 2005 Nissan Frontier SE is priced around $8990 with average odometer reading of 129215 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2005 Nissan Frontier?
Available Nissan Frontier 2005 Submodel Types: Crew Cab, Extended Cab, King Cab
Available Nissan Frontier 2005 Trims: SV, S, PRO-4X, SL, XE, SV w/Prod. End 02/17, XE-V6, Desert Runner, SE-V6, SC-V6, SE, LE, Nismo, S w/Prod. End 02/17
Exterior Colors: Glacier White, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Arctic Blue Metallic, Lava Red, Cayenne Red, Night Armor, Metallic Blue, Radiant Silver, Graphite Blue, Red Alert, Red Brawn, Sand Dune Metallic Clearcoat , Forged Copper, Molten Lava Pearl Clearcoat , Red Brick, Super Black Clearcoat, Avalanche, Black Emerald, Canteen Metallic Clearcoat, Granite Metallic Clearcoat, Navy Blue, Radiant Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Sand Dune Metallic, Silver Ice, Silver Ice Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic , Silver Ice Metallic Clearcoat, Storm Gray, Super Black
Interior Colors: Steel cloth, Graphite cloth, Beige cloth, Graphite/White cloth, Steel leather, Graphite w/White Stitching leather, Graphite/White leather, Gray, Graphite/Red cloth, Beige, Beige leather, Blue, Charcoal, Charcoal cloth, Graphite, Steel
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Stability Control, Bluetooth, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Trip Computer, Back-up camera, Towing Hitch, Heated seats, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Parking sensors, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Navigation, Power Driver Seat, Leather Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Post-collision safety system, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Stereo, 6000lb Towing Capacity, Rear Bench Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, AWD/4WD, 6ft Bed, Crew Cab, Extended Cab, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Alarm
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: four wheel drive, rear wheel drive
Used 2005 Nissan Frontier Overview
The used 2005 Nissan Frontier is offered in the following submodels: Crew Cab, King Cab. Available styles include 4dr Crew Cab SE Rwd SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), 4dr Crew Cab SE 4WD SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), and 4dr King Cab XE Rwd SB (2.5L 4cyl 5A). Pre-owned Frontier models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2005 Frontier comes with rear wheel drive or four wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed automatic.
