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2008 Nissan Frontier Performance Review

November 5, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

good highway ride
Edmunds

strong from a stop
ConsumerGuide

drives better than expected
Car and Driver

The 2008 Nissan Frontier offers performance that is to be expected of a rough-and-tumble mid-size truck.

The 2008 Nissan Frontier is available with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that creates 152 hp coupled with 171 pound-feet of torque, “making it a decent choice only for those who need a low-cost, light-duty work truck,” Edmunds says.

The optional engine is a 4.0-liter V-6 that builds up 261 hp and 281 pound-feet of torque. ConsumerGuide makes note of the fact that the automatic V-6 "kicks down quickly for good midrange passing punch." Car and Driver says, “the Frontier stands out in its segment, thanks to its excellent 261-hp V-6 engine and its stellar steering and on-road handling.” Automobile says the V-6 Frontier “launches the 4x4 Crew Cab from 0 to 60 mph in just over eight seconds.”

A five-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual transmission are both available on the 2008 Frontier, depending on the trim level and engine size. Edmunds says the six-cylinder’s “automatic transmission delivers perfectly timed shifts whether you're maneuvering in traffic or flinging the truck around in the sand.”

Fuel economy ranges from 19/23 mpg with the four-cylinder manual versions to 14/19 mpg with the big V-6, automatic Frontier. The V-6 engine is also available in a four-wheel-drive option, and as Edmunds says, "Frontier 4x4s are capable off-road, thanks to a maximum 10.1 inches of ground clearance and plenty of suspension travel."

The 2008 Nissan Frontier’s ride is also better than that of most pickup trucks, and ConsumerGuide calls the ride "absorbent," pointing out that passengers notice bumps, but they don't jar like they do in some off-road vehicles. Car and Driver also points out that the 2008 Nissan Frontier’s “structure is extremely solid,” and “the steering is tight and accurate.” Edmunds reports that “ride quality on pavement is surprisingly good for a compact/midsize pickup truck, and the steering is tight and communicative.”

Conclusion

The 2008 Nissan Frontier has unexpectedly reasonable performance with the optional V-6 engine; four-cylinders are best left to work-truck duty.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:good highway rideEdmundsstrong from a stopConsumerGuidedrives better than expectedCar and Driver The 2008 Nissan Frontier offers performance that is to be expected of a rough-and-tumble mid-size truck. The 2008 Nissan Frontier is available with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that creates 152 hp coupled with 171 pound-feet of torque, “making it a decent choice only for those who need a low-cost, light-duty work truck,” Edmunds says. The optional engine is a 4.0-liter V-6 that builds up 261 hp and 281 pound-feet of torque. ConsumerGuide makes note of the fact that the automatic V-6 "kicks down quickly for good midrange passing punch." Car and Driver says, “the Frontier stands out in its segment, thanks to its excellent 261-hp V-6 engine and its stellar steering and on-road handling.” Automobile says the V-6 Frontier “launches the 4x4 Crew Cab from 0 to 60 mph in just over eight seconds.” A five-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual transmission are both available on the 2008 Frontier, depending on the trim level and engine size. Edmunds says the six-cylinder’s “automatic transmission delivers perfectly timed shifts whether you're maneuvering in traffic or flinging the truck around in the sand.” Fuel economy ranges from 19/23 mpg with the four-cylinder manual versions to 14/19 mpg with the big V-6, automatic Frontier. The V-6 engine is also available in a four-wheel-drive option, and as Edmunds says, "Frontier 4x4s are capable off-road, thanks to a maximum 10.1 inches of ground clearance and plenty of suspension travel." The 2008 Nissan Frontier’s ride is also better than that of most pickup trucks, and ConsumerGuide calls the ride "absorbent," pointing out that passengers notice bumps, but they don't jar like they do in some off-road vehicles. Car and Driver also points out that the 2008 Nissan Frontier’s “structure is extremely solid,” and “the steering is tight and accurate.” Edmunds reports that “ride quality on pavement is surprisingly good for a compact/midsize pickup truck, and the steering is tight and communicative.” ConclusionThe 2008 Nissan Frontier has unexpectedly reasonable performance with the optional V-6 engine; four-cylinders are best left to work-truck duty. 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER STYLING | [7 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "carves out a nice niche for itself" Car and Driver: "romp-and-stomp styling" Edmunds: "top pick in the midsize pickup class" Cars.com: "relatively unchanged" TheCarConnection.com found that there's nothing spectacular ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Mid-size trucks from other manufacturers mimic the 2008 Nissan Frontier's wide range of features. The Dodge Dakota comes in two- and four-door versions, with V-8 engines available and four-wheel-drive packages for more serious duty. The Toyota Tacoma offers a big V-6 engine, a special off-road version, and even a sport-tuned edition. The Honda Ridgeline comes in one four-door configuration and one V-6/automatic combination, but its cubby-laden interior and highly functional truck bed make up for its odd styling and not-quite-full-size bed.

Next Steps:

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See the Nissan Frontier in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2002

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