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KBB.com Expert Review
You'll Like This Car If...
If you need a truck that hauls, tows and loves to get dirty, but don't want to deal with the mass of a full-size pickup, the 2008 Nissan Frontier will impress you with its capability, utility and refined ride.
You May Not Like This Car If...
Even though the Frontier's V6 is impressively smooth and powerful, if your workload -- or playload -- absolutely demands a big V8, then you'll have to look elsewhere. Also, the Frontier does not offer a standard-cab model.
What's New for 2008
A power driver's seat is added to LE trims, while a host of upgraded packages debut across the line. A Technology Package adds upgraded audio with an auxiliary audio input jack, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, XM Satellite Radio and a security and alarm system.
Consumer Reviews
Based on 170 ratings for the 2005 - 2018 models.
Joe
December 02, 2015
Still Early, But So Far, So Good
This is my 2nd Nissan Truck. 1st one '93 4cyl KC AT 2WD, After 20 year's, replaced with this 2013 6cyl KC AT 2WD. Both Truck's bought...
HP
August 29, 2015
Excellent truck for the money
This is my second Frontier,(my first was a 2004)and love the power & acceleration the V6 provides.The seats are surprisingly comfortable...
Sher
February 19, 2015
Reliable, good milage, low maintance, comfortable
It has been a very dependable truck which has been great for hauling and camping. A smooth ride with excellent air conditioning and heat...
Joe
December 11, 2014
So Far, Love This Truck
For the Record,, I test drove them all, Silverado, Ford S150, Toyota Tacoma/Tundra, Ram 1500, and again, I Chose Nissan for the most...
JM
August 25, 2014
Too Early to Give Reliability Review
@ 3500 Mile's it is way too early to give a Value, Reliability, or Quality Review, but so far so good. Previously owned a '93 Nissan KK...
Bud
May 24, 2014
GREAT TRUCK!
My wife and I bought this truck and we are very happy with it. We bought the SV with the V-6 engine. It was equipped with the value...
Tom D
April 05, 2014
Comfort & Convenience All in One
The Frontier appealed to me more than the others in its class. The vehicle felt more powerful and the handling is great. It is very...
Donny
April 04, 2014
Excellent Ride
We were quite surprised how well this vehicle handles and performs on the road. Nissan put a really nice package together called the...
D
March 26, 2014
Sporty Truck
We have the 2014 Frontier SV with the V6 Auto. So far this vehicle has been a pleasure to drive. We road tested many others in its class...
Dan
March 22, 2014
This is an Excellent Truck!
This is an excellent truck with plenty of get up and go. I bought the new 2014 SV Truck Value Package 4WD with the V-6 engine. The ride...
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Fuel Economy
Performance
Seating Capacity
Cargo/Interior Space
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KBB Editor's Overview
The days of the compact pickup are fast closing. Witness the 2008 Nissan Frontier, a once-compact contender that has grown in size, power and weight. Along the way, it has also grown in capability and passenger comfort, placing it in the same general category as the midsize Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma. The Frontier has much in common with its larger sibling, the Titan, offering a fully-boxed frame, Nissan's adjustable Utili-track Bed Channel System and a spray-in bed liner. With one of the most powerful V6 engines in its class, the Frontier offers superior towing with almost sports car-like acceleration. Although bargain shoppers may lament the absence of a standard-cab model, the four-cylinder King Cab is still an affordable truck, priced well below $18,000.
You'll Like This Pickup If...
If you need a truck that hauls, tows and loves to get dirty, but don't want to deal with the mass of a full-size pickup, the 2008 Nissan Frontier will impress you with its capability, utility and refined ride.
You May Not Like This Pickup If...
Even though the Frontier's V6 is impressively smooth and powerful, if your workload -- or playload -- absolutely demands a big V8, then you'll have to look elsewhere. Also, the Frontier does not offer a standard-cab model.
What's New for 2008
A power driver's seat is added to LE trims, while a host of upgraded packages debut across the line. A Technology Package adds upgraded audio with an auxiliary audio input jack, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, XM Satellite Radio and a security and alarm system.
Driving It
Driving Impressions
That we expected more acceleration from the Frontier's new V6 says more about our imprudent expectations than it does about the engine. With 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, this 4.0-liter variant of the acclaimed engine found in the company's 350Z, Maxima and Infiniti G35 might be the smoothest, strongest V6 engine ever put in a pickup. In addition, the 2008 Nissan Frontier handles and rides better than some sedans. Big mirrors contribute to a fair amount of wind noise, but overall the cabin is quiet and comfortable, especially for a pickup with such noteworthy capabilities. Our long test drive concluded with some serious rock-crawling on a Texas ranch, which, thanks in large part to its stiff frame and powerful engine, the Frontier negotiated effortlessly.
Favorite Features
Utili-track Bed Channel System
Movable and removable cleats make it easy to transport even cumbersome cargo loads safely.
Fully-Boxed Frame
The Frontier's stiff frame provides the foundation for the pickup's sedan-like ride and handling and its sturdy off-road capability.
Vehicle Details
Interior
The Frontier's purposeful interior is defined by its flexibility. King Cab models feature smaller rear-hinged rear doors that provide access to flip-up rear seats, while Crew Cab models feature traditional rear doors and a more conventional back seat. Both models offer removable storage boxes beneath the rear seats, plus an available fold-flat front passenger seat for increased interior cargo flexibility. The Frontier's cabin features dual stacked glove boxes, multiple 12-volt power points and one-liter cup holders integrated into the front doors. Leather seating is among the Frontier's more indulgent options.
Exterior
With its "angled strut" grille and sharp, pronounced fender flares, the Frontier is unmistakable as a direct descendent of the company's daunting full-size Titan pickup, although more athletic looking than its larger sibling. The Frontier offers a number of pickup-truck firsts, such as the Utili-track tie-down system that features moveable cargo hooks located in a five-rail in-bed system.
Notable Standard Equipment
In base XE trim, the Frontier is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque, a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and 15-inch steel wheels.
Notable Optional Equipment
Features not included at base sticker price include the 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drive, Utili-track Bed Channel System, factory-applied spray-on bedliner, single-CD sound system, six-disc in-dash sound system with MP3 playback, air conditioning, power door locks/windows/mirrors, keyless entry, front side-impact airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control stability control system and front and rear side-curtain airbags. The NISMO off-road model includes skid plates, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist features, Utili-track system, an on-demand electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein performance shocks.
Under the Hood
The economical four-cylinder engine is offered only on the two-wheel-drive XE King Cab, which might become an issue if gasoline prices surge past four dollars per gallon. The V6 is plenty powerful and does offer the choice between a manual and automatic transmission, but all that power and performance comes at the expense of fuel economy.
2.5-liter in-line 4
152 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
171 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/23 (2WD, manual), 17/22 (2WD, automatic)
4.0-liter V6
261 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
281 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/20 (2WD, manual), 15/20 (2WD, automatic), 15/19 (4WD, manual), 14/19 (4WD, automatic)
Pricing Notes
The Frontier King Cab Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts just under $17,000 for the base two-wheel-drive XE model and around $22,500 for the King Cab SE with four-wheel drive. Crew Cab models start just under $22,000 and can soar to as high as $35,000 when fully loaded. A look at the Fair Purchase Price page shows what consumers are typically paying for their Frontier trucks in your area, so be sure to check it out before you purchase. Over a five-year period, the 2008 Nissan Frontier is expected to retain a healthy portion of its original purchase price, maintaining a resale value just below the Toyota Tacoma's projected residual values, and far higher than those of the Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota and Chevrolet Colorado.
