2011 Nissan Frontier

Once again, the automobile giant Nissan has come up with yet another top notcher—the 2011 Nissan Frontier. As many reviews and satisfied customers say, this compact truck is not only stylish; it is very functional as well. It comes in five trim levels which can either be a King or Crew Cab.

Performance

This model comes in two engines. The base engine for the King and Crew Cabs is a 2.5-liter engine with a four-cylinder capacity that can give you as much as 152 horsepower as well as torque of 171 lb-ft. This comes with a five-speed manual transmission.

On the other hand, there are also trims that come with a 4-liter V6 engine which has as much as 261 horsepower that is equipped with 281 torque of lb-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is now available for newer trims. In the same manner, a six-speed automatic transmission is also available for some models of the King Cabs.

Many satisfied customers also love the fact that the Frontier can provide good off-road performance while scoring well comfortable on-road performance at the same time. In fact, that is quite rare among its competitors.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Pick Up Truck Base Price: $18,200.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gallons (79.8 liters) Miles Per Gallon: 19 city / 23 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 205.5 in. (521.9 cm) Width: 72.8 in. (184.9 cm)
Height: 68.7 in. (174 cm) Wheel Base: 125.9 in. (24.8 cm)
Curb Weight: 3684 lbs (1671 kg) Ground Clearance: 9.8 in. (24.8 cm)
Bed Capacity: 46.8 cu ft Maximum Seating: 5 people
Performance
Engine: 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder Displacement: 2.5-liter
Horsepower: 152 HP Max RPM: 5200 RPM
Torque: 171 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
0-60 mph (4×4 SE Crew Cab): 7.4 seconds 1/4 Mile: NA seconds
Available Trims & Engine
Option:SV 4-cyl King Cab MSRP: $21,380; MPG: 19 city / 23 hwy
Option:SV V6 King/Crew Cab MSRP: $21,970; MPG: 16 city / 20 hwy
Option:Pro 4X King/Crew Cab MSRP: $26,620; MPG: 15 city / 20 hwy
Option:SL Crew Cab 4.0L MSRP: $28,880; MPG: 15 city / 20 hwy

Exterior & Interior

If you are a bit picky about the exterior, then you will like the fact that this model gets good ratings for its exterior. The fender flares are big; but they are also smooth. The wheel flares also appear to be muscular. The grille, front fascia, head lights, as well as the stylish alloy wheels all make up for a fierce look.

This model also comes with other exterior features that you will definitely like. For instance, it is equipped with a locking tailgate. In the same manner, it also includes a tough PRO-4X appearance package. As for the V6 models, you have the special feature of a factory spray-on bed-liner as well as an adjustable tie-down system.

When you take a peek inside the 2011 Frontier, you may see that nothing much has changed from the 2009 model.

You will also find an underseat storage in the King Cab models which are removable as well. There are also gauges which are pretty much easy to read. All units also have two glove boxes as well as two 12-volt outlets. In the same manner, this model is equipped with supportive and comfortable front bucket seats. This is also true across all units.

You will also love the fact that the manufacturers paid attention to comfort and convenience inside the vehicle. For instance, they placed the instrument panel in places where you can easily reach and operate them. The seat fabric is not only rugged and comfortable; it is also very easy to clean.

Safety & Reliability

As always, Nissan also made it a point that all units from this model are equipped with features for the safety for their users. For one, all units include side curtain airbags as well as an electronic brake force distribution feature. A 4-wheel anti-lock braking system is already built in the vehicle. V6 models also have an electronic stability system as a standard. Certain models also have an Active Brake Limited Slip. The same is true for the hill start assist and hill descent control systems.

Other safety features are the latch anchor system which is exclusive for the crew cab versions. There are also three-point seatbelts in all seating areas.

Given all these features, it would be very fitting to say that the Frontier is, indeed, very much reliable. However, there are still some points to improve on.

This model also has a limited warranty that covers it for three years/36,000 miles. There is also a power-train warranty for five years or 60,000 miles.

The Competition

As for its competitors, you may want to consider the Suzuki Equator (MSRP $25,279; 15 city / 20 hwy) and Toyota Tacoma (MSRP $16,365; 21 city / 25 hwy). The Ford Ranger (MSRP $18,160; 22 city / 27 hwy) can also be considered as a competitor of the 2011 Nissan Frontier.

Overall Rating
64 out of 100

What others say:

“With enough toughness for personal use, as well as a good feature list, the 2011 Nissan Frontier shows that you might not need to go full-size.”Car Connection

“Nicely balanced for a pickup truck. The steering feels weighty and direct, but is slow to react in tight U-turns and parking spots. Body lean is evident in corners but is not excessive for a vehicle of this type.”Consumer Guide

“Sturdy chassis, strong V6; easy-to-use cabin controls; comfortable front seats; stout bed lining and tie-down points; agile handling.”Edmunds

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