Another in a series of my reviews that appeared in the online version of African Americans On Wheels, a now defunct automotive magazine that was included as an insert in the Sunday newspapers of major cities.
The funny part is that I talk below about how Nissan waited 13 long years to redesign its compact pickup. This version only hung around for six years, but today you can walk into any Nissan showroom and drive away in a truck that was introduced in 2005!
The following review was written on July 5, 1999.
Since 1959, when it sold the first compact pickup truck in the U.S., Nissan (then Datsun) has built a reputation of rugged dependability for its pickups. So, when it came time to finally redesign its compact truck after 13 years, it decided to forego the trend towards car-like comfort and focus on its core characteristics: ruggedness and dependability.
The Frontier definitely doesn’t look soft, with its chiseled edges and imposing front grille/ bumper treatment. Our SE 4X4 also included large P265/70R15 tires on good-looking six-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, as well as step rails that are mounted a little too high but do help when climbing into the cab. The interior is the same story. While far more luxurious than that of its ancestors, Nissan decided that function was more important than form, and the squarish dash and sedate color schemes will neither impress nor offend. All controls were within easy reach, and the air conditioner did a fine job of keeping the cabin cool during 100+ degree dog days of summer.
Rather than the button or knob in newer, “softer” trucks, the four-wheel drive system is controlled by a small lever forward and to the left of the console-mounted gear shifter. The system includes a 2 speed transfer case – 4WD High for more traction in foul weather, and 4WD Low for steep hills or trudging through snow or mud at low speeds. Its concessions to civility are automatic locking hubs and shift-on-the-fly capability. In two-wheel drive mode, the optional limited slip differential provided a little extra traction without the gas mileage penalty of shifting into four-wheel drive.
Standard in the SE is a 3.3 liter V6, and, while not the fastest or smoothest V6 in the business, it is a good match for the Frontier and a better choice than the base 2.4 liter four, especially given the V6’s 5,000-pound towing/1,200-pound payload capacity. In keeping with the rugged image, the ride is “active” to say the least.
For a compact truck at a reasonable price that will get you to hell and back, the Frontier is a good choice.
For more information contact 1-800-NISSAN-3
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Two-door Extended Cab Pickup Truck
Engine: 170-horsepower, 3.3 liter V6
Transmission: Four-speed Automatic
EPA Mileage: 15 city/19 highway
Tested Price: $24,017
I owned a Frontier of this generation, a 2002 4×4 crew cab. You sat low in the seats, which were mounted close to the frame. The 3.3 had little power, but sucked gas like the Suburban I also had at the time (the 60 litre tank would take me no more than 400 kilometres). The engine was “built for longevity, not power” I was told. The seat material was self-staining and cheap-feeling.
However, it looked great, was reliable, and had a sporty dashboard.
I now own a 2010 Ranger, which has more power, more comfortable seats, better handling, and far more personality. I know it’s a newer vehicle, but I’m surprised at the improvement over the Frontier, which was created to compete against that Ranger platform.
Other than the body, my 2000 Xterra is virtually the same vehicle. Agreed on the 3.3 with little power. But it does keep on going. Changing the spark plug on the driver side beside the firewall was a bit of a nightmare. Did it once and don’t wish to do it again.
Same my 02 xterra…..that plug is torture….
This truck always seemed like a second-tier product in the US market, at least in popularity, behind Toyota and the Ranger, when the latter was in its prime. But it certainly has its fans, and while it probably lacks the global volume of the Hilux, it has had some interesting re-badges In other markets – as a Peugeot, Renault, and Mercedes. I remember seeing one of this generation (in Nissan Navarra guise) working as a tow truck in Paris 15 years ago.
Younger folks won’t remember, but there was a time when Datsun/Nissan was more highly regarded in the US than Toyota was. For reasons that aren’t fully clear to me, that time ended somewhere in the mid-70s.
The pickups were considered better, and I seem to remember they outsold Toyota. Toyota had nothing like the 240Z. The first-gen 510 was considered the poor man’s BMW 2002.
But whatever happened in the mid-70s, Datsun/Nissan fell behind Toyota. By the time this truck came out, Nissan was deep into 2nd-tier territory.
I’m not saying it was because Nissan opened a manufacturing plant in the US and started chasing volume.
But the “Automotive Fleet” September 1, 1983 archives can.
https://www.automotive-fleet.com/147850/production-begins-at-u-s-nissan-plant
Opening US plants was not the problem. All the Japanese were doing it, and quality did not suffer. Nissan’s Tennessee plant was highly productive. It was other issues.
The first dose of any drug is rarely lethal. It’s the addiction and tolerance over time. Nissan got a taste in the eighties and developed a full on dependent addiction by “The Great CVT Debacle of 2006.”
To be fair, so did Mitsubishi.
By the time this truck came out, Nissan was deep into 2nd-tier territory.
I’ll take that a step further. When this truck came out, Nissan was on the verge of bankruptcy due to a long line of poor business decisions and wasteful spending (at one point, they had three or four completely different 3.0-liter V6 engines and I remember something about one of their JDM models having multiple – possibly double digit – steering wheel options). Before the year was out, they were taken over by Renault.
“Poor business decisions”
Remember the “Really Got Me” Commercial where Barbie and Ken jump into a toy model T-Top Nissan 300ZX and drive to their play-house?
Great commercial… Problem was that the 300ZX was no longer on sale in the USA and the dealers were up in arms against Nissan corporate because perspective customers were asking dealers about the unobtanium car in the commercial.
If you were a lucky dealership, you either pointed to the used car lot stock or to the Chevy, Pontiac, Ford adjoining dealer and told them to buy a Trans-Am, Camaro, Corvette, or Mustang instead.
If you were an unlucky dealership, a perspective $40,000+ sale just walked out the door.
That really was an iconic ad. Premiered during the Super Bowl I think?
There was a Pathfinder version that never aired for some reason?
My ’99 2.4 5spd 2.4L 1) did not break 2) was always good for 24mpg or better 3) was a salvage title. Had to sell it as we moved 2000 miles, had to ship our cars their was but two of us yet there were three autos. Only got $1K for the P/U, it was worth a lot more (except…) Always preferred the earlier w/the popout windows…
Same with our ’98, also 2.4-liter 5-speed, but a regular cab and 2wd. Yes 25+ mpg lifetime average, bought lightly used from former employer and still have it 22 years later. Same alloys as in reviewed truck; XE trim level has black front bumper valance rather than color-keyed version.
“…chiseled edges and imposing front grille/ bumper treatment,” ha, looks modest compared to the monstrosities on trucks now!
(Recent photo):
I bought my 1999 4cyl 5 Speed Frontier new In 1999. This truck has been awesome! I don’t believe a new one would be as good. Now a days it’s profits over ppl.