Nissan Frontier 2008

What’s new, trim levels, optional equipment, and safety info for the 2008 Nissan Frontier.

May 2008

Introduction

Redesigned in 2005, the Nissan Frontier soldiers on into 2008 with only minor changes. Available as either a King Cab with small rear-hinged doors and diminutive jump seats or as a Crew Cab with four full doors and a real back seat, the Frontier shares its beefy body-on-frame platform (dubbed F-Alpha) with the Nissan Xterra and the Nissan Pathfinder. The Frontier is a solid and compelling entry in the small- to mid-size truck segment currently occupied by the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Honda Ridgeline. The Frontier stands out in its segment thanks to its excellent 261-hp V-6 engine and its stellar steering and on-road handling. King Cab versions are available in five trim levels (XE, SE, SE V-6, LE, and NISMO). King Cab XE and SE versions get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant with an optional automatic transmission on the SE model. Four-cylinder models don’t offer 4WD. SE V-6, LE, and NISMO Frontier King Cabs all get the punchy 4.0-liter V-6 with 261 horsepower. The larger and pricier Crew Cab Frontiers come with the V-6 standard and are available as SE, LE, or NISMO, the very basic XE and SE four-cylinder trim levels aren’t offered with the larger and more expensive Crew Cab. 4WD is available in all V-6 models.

Verdict

For a body-on-frame truck, the Frontier is a pleasant surprise. The structure is extremely solid, the steering is tight and accurate, and the acceleration from the V-6 models could be considered V-8–like. Four-cylinder models are a bit less impressive. Interior quality is better than most in the segment, as many of the Frontier’s interior pieces are shared with the Nissan Xterra sport-utility. A Frontier Crew Cab came in second in a comparison test, besting the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Dodge Dakota, but losing out to the unibody and decidedly carlike Honda Ridgeline. If you want a body-on-frame, traditional compact- to mid-size pickup, the Frontier may be the truck for you.

Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Nissan Frontier.

What’s New for 2008

For 2008 the Frontier now offers a Technology Package that includes an upgraded sound system with an auxiliary jack, steering-wheel audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free phone integration, XM satellite radio, and a vehicle immobilizer and alarm. The SE model with the four-cylinder benefits from a standard appearance package that further separates it from the more basic XE, while the XE itself gets an optional Preferred package that bundles a few popular options together. Top-of-the-line NISMO models now come standard with the Utility Bed Package that brings a bed organizing system and the factory-sprayed bedliner.

Trim Levels

At the bottom of the Frontier ladder is the XE trim level (King Cab only) that starts at $17,275 and comes only in two-wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission and a 152-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Standard equipment includes an AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers; intermittent wipers; locking tailgate; power steering; and manual seats, windows, and locks. The next step up is the King Cab SE four-cylinder ($19,375) that adds an optional five-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch steel wheels with wider tires (up from the XE’s 15-inch steelies), chrome bumpers, a sliding rear window, standard A/C, dual sun visors with vanity mirrors, and a tilt steering column.

King Cab customers who move up to the SE V-6 trim levels ($20,175) will get a choice of two more colors and an additional interior color. The SE V-6 deal also includes a six-speed manual transmission, a front tow hook, and mud flaps. NISMO-grade Frontiers ($24,525) are sporty and boast big-truck off-road capability. King Cab Frontier NISMO models come with the equipment included with the SE V-6 and add a standard five-speed automatic, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, an electronically locking rear differential, a limited-slip differential for both two- and four-wheel-drive versions, Bilstein off-road shocks, 16-inch aluminum wheels, skid plates to protect the underside, power mirrors, chrome door handles, Utili-track bed organizing system, a spray-in bed liner, and an eight-way manual driver’s seat. Stepping up to the King Cab LE trim level ($24,475) bypasses the hard-core off-road gear, but nets a lot of the same comfort equipment plus fog lamps and body-color side molding.

Customers shopping for the larger and roomier Crew Cab Frontier will get to choose from the SE V-6 model ($22,025) that comes standard with the equipment from the King Cab SE V-6 and adds a rear defroster, the Utili-track bed organizer, and a spray-in bedliner. The Frontier Crew Cab NISMO ($25,875) adds a standard five-speed automatic, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, an electronically locking rear differential, a limited-slip differential for 2WD and 4WD versions, Bilstein off-road shocks, 16-inch aluminum wheels, skid plates, power mirrors, cruise control, a trip computer, chrome door handles, an anti-theft alarm system, Utili-track bed-organizing system, a spray-in bed liner, and an eight-way manual driver’s seat. Like the King Cab, Crew Cab LE Frontiers ($26,175) forgo much of the hard-core bits, but still come standard with the comfort features of the NISMO.

Optional Equipment

The very basic Frontier King Cab XE can be had with the following options: side-impact airbags ($550), floor mats ($105), mud flaps ($130), a plastic bed liner ($430), and a bed extender ($260). Moving up to the King Cab SE four-cylinder model includes the options available on the XE and adds a few luxury options as an automatic transmission ($1050) and the Power package, which includes power window, locks, and mirrors, as well as remote keyless entry and cruise control for ($1050).

Stepping up to the V-6 SE King Cab Frontier brings the following choices: automatic transmission; 4WD ($2700); side airbags; and the SE V-6 Value package, which includes a limited-slip differential, 16-inch aluminum wheels, a bed liner, a bed extender, power windows, locks and outside mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, floor mats, and a cabin air filter for $1300. A hitch ($340), plastic bedliner, and non-sliding bed extender are available as accessories.

The most basic SE King Cab offers 4WD ($1550 manual, $2600 automatic), a long bed ($800); an automatic transmission, and the SE V-6 Value package (see above). The Moonroof package adds a moonroof and roof rails for $900. A hitch, carpeted floor mats ($105), a sliding bed-divider ($270), and a sliding bed-extender ($300) are available as accessories.

The sporty NISMO Frontier King Cab and Crew Cab models come standard with an automatic transmission on 2WD versions; adding 4WD costs $1600 but replaces the automatic with a manual transmission. Adding an automatic transmission to a 4WD NISMO model costs an additional $1050, or $2650 total. On LE King Cab and Crew Cab models, 4WD costs $2600 and comes only with an automatic transmission. Other options for all LE and NISMO models include the Technology package (Bluetooth hands-free phone integration, a stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer, a more powerful amplifier, 10 speakers, auxiliary input jack, MP3 capability, XM satellite radio, and a vehicle security system and immobilizer on King Cab models) for $950; Traction package, which adds stability control hill start and hill descent assist for $500; and side airbags. Accessories include a trailer hitch, carpeted floor mats, a sliding bed-divider, a sliding bed extender, and an iPod interface for $290.

All Crew Cab models (SE, NISMO, and LE) can be had with a long bed for $800, NISMO and SE versions also offer a moonroof package for $900. Crew Cab LE can be had with leather seats ($1350), a moonroof and side airbags package ($1250), limited-slip front and rear differentials ($350), and step rails ($300).

Safety

Dual front airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and active headrests for the front seats are standard on all trim levels, as is tire-pressure monitoring. Stability control is offered on the NISMO and LE versions of the Frontier King Cab and Crew Cab.