Thoughts from the Curb

Jan 14, 2009 - 2009 Nissan Frontier: A Week with 'My Truck'

I've started to call this 2009 Nissan Frontier Pro4X "my truck." See, with the exception of one night, I've been driving it since last Monday, which is an absolute eternity around here. Even with cars I'm assigned to do road tests for, I'm usually in them for a weekend plus maybe two nights. That's because most cars get both an Edmunds and Inside Line write-up -- the Frontier's here just for Edmunds.

But the big news is that I'm not tired of it, which is a miracle given the Frontier is a pickup. Three days into my week with a Dodge Dakota this summer and I was frantically clamoring for anything remotely sporty. I could only take our Silverado or Tundra one night at a time. But the Frontier is different. Its more compact dimensions and tight, communicative steering make it feel relatively nimble. The 4.0-liter V6 is less powerful and about a half-second slower 0-60 than the V8-powered Dakota, but it's torque-rich and I've found it perfectly capable of getting the Frontier moving around town. I'm also quite comfortable driving it, without the long-reaches or squished legs common of pickups (thanks to no telescoping steering wheels). The controls are also placed high and within easy reach.

Of course, the Pro-4X's off-road suspension has made highway travel a spleen-shaking affair, but I've driven the GT-R to Vegas so I'm used to it (ditto the girlfriend). Otherwise, I've enjoyed my nine truck-driving days. The Nissan Frontier is a great example of the breed, happy playing in the snow and commuting in the city -- plus I've yet to tire of it. Personally, I'd say that's its greatest victory.

-James Riswick

9:06 am | Categories: car reviews Permalink | Alert Administrator

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