Used 2019 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab

If ever a company subscribed to the product theory that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," it's Nissan and its 2019 Frontier. This truck hasn't changed in three presidential administrations, not even in the face of renewed competition from rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Honda Ridgeline. The Frontier lopes along with mechanicals that are more than a decade old. Inside, it's about as utilitarian as you can get, and modern tech is nowhere to be found.

Changes for 2019 are predictably minimal. The base and next-up trim levels get a larger touchscreen display, and the slick Midnight Edition style package returns for another year. But in just about every other area, the 2019 Nissan Frontier is outdated. The interior, though durable, has a low-buck look and feel. The cabin allows in plenty of noise. The Frontier's engines burn fuel with the abandon of a failed missile test, and technology and advanced safety features are few and far between.

Yet, the Frontier still appeals. It offers a surprisingly comfortable ride, a bed with all manner of useful cleats and tie-downs, and legitimate off-road fun and capability when equipped in the Pro-4X trim. It's also relatively affordable compared to its newer rivals. If you have modest requirements for modern creature comforts in a pickup, the Frontier is still a good deal.

But if you like this kind of no-frills pickup, act soon. A redesigned Frontier is due for 2020 (for real this time, really). And while it's likely to remain a good midsize pickup value, the Frontier will face its stiffest competition yet when a new Jeep Wrangler pickup arrives along with the reintroduced Ford Ranger. The 2019 Frontier could be a good pick for truck shoppers seeking simple utility and fun. But for a more modern take on a midsize pickup, you'll want to look elsewhere.

The 2019 Nissan Frontier is a midsize truck offered in two body styles (extended cab or four-door crew cab) and with 5-foot and 6.1-foot bed lengths. Two engines are available: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (152 horsepower, 171 pound-feet of torque) or a 4.0-liter six-cylinder (261-hp, 281 lb-ft). Both can pair to either a manual transmission (five speeds for the four-cylinder or six for the V6) or a five-speed automatic transmission.

There are five trim levels: the base model S; the SV with an upgraded interior; the Desert Runner, which pairs off-road-oriented features with two-wheel drive; the four-wheel-drive-only Pro-4X; and the top-tier SL, which is the best-optioned overall.

The base S trim starts with two-wheel drive, an extended cab, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Standard features include 15-inch steel wheels, rear privacy glass, cloth front bucket seats, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, a 7-inch central display, steering wheel audio controls, Siri Eyes Free voice command, and a four- or six-speaker sound system with a CD player, USB input and an auxiliary audio jack.

An optional Work Truck package adds a spray-in bedliner, bed rail caps, splash guards and rubber floor mats.

The SV builds on the above features with 16-inch alloy wheels, power accessories (windows, door locks), sliding rear window and satellite radio. Options include a sunroof on the crew cab and a Value Truck package that adds foglights, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a sliding bed extender, a spray-in bedliner, adjustable cargo tie-downs, a Class IV trailer hitch, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and two extra speakers on extended cabs.

The SV crew cab is also available with the Midnight Edition package, which adds blacked-out 18-inch wheels, side steps, body-colored bumpers and side mirror housings.

The Desert Runner is a rear-wheel-drive V6 only. Available in either cab configuration, it builds on the base SV equipment list with special styling details, foglights, high-performance shock absorbers and off-road tires. The SV Value package equipment isn't available with this trim.

For serious off-roaders, there's the four-wheel-drive-only Pro-4X. It features knobby off-road tires, specially tuned shocks, a locking rear differential and skid plates. Oddly, it comes with a smaller 5.8-inch touchscreen, though this unit does have navigation. The Pro-4X also comes with everything in the SV Value Truck package except the trailer hitch and bed extender, which are optional. Crew cabs also get a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system.

The Pro-4X Luxury package, only available on automatic-equipped crew cabs, adds a sunroof, a roof rack with crossbars, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats and a rear-seat center armrest.

The top-level SL is only available as a crew cab with the automatic transmission. It loses the Pro-4X's off-road-oriented equipment but retains most of the items in the Pro-4X Luxury package, including a sunroof. Additional standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels and side steps that ease access to the cab. The trailer hitch and bed extender remain optional on the Frontier SL.