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In its very final year of production, the second-gen 2021 Nissan Frontier pickup truck still offers a solid value and great capability.
2021 Nissan Frontier – usa.nissannews.com | Shop 2021 Nissan Frontier on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
Next year, an all-new Nissan Frontier will arrive for the first time since 2009. So for 2021, nothing has really been updated on this outgoing model. It still has the same V6, features, and is still available in multiple sizes to fit your needs.
The Breakdown
Awesome drivetrain
Pro-4X is ready to off-road
Comfortable front seats
Missing modern features
Not fuel efficient
Cheap interior
Excited for 2022
2021 Frontier Specs
- 310 horsepower from base engine
- 281 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 6,700-lb max towing capacity
- Standard Bluetooth connectivity
- Standard backup camera
- 5-year powertrain coverage
2021 Nissan Frontier Powertrain
It’s tough to beat the Nissan Frontier’s setup in any other base mid-size pickup. Some full-size pickup trucks don’t even have as much power as the 2021 Nissan Frontier S does. The standard available engine inside this outdated design is a 3.8-liter V6 that’s making 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. Despite sitting atop an almost comically old platform, this Frontier is just as quick as new rivals from Chevrolet and Toyota. It doesn’t keep up in towing competitions, but we’ll get there in just a bit.
Shoppers have the choice of either sending power to the rear wheels or all four optionally. The way the Frontier delivers power to those wheels through its nine-speed automatic transmission is smooth and linear. Sadly, the same can’t be said for the rest of the driving experience. The steering feedback is some of the numbest on the market today. It doesn’t build up very well in turns either. That makes placing the Frontier a bit difficult in tight spaces. The pedals are similar in nature. Both the brake and the accelerator aren’t linear and don’t seem to provide anywhere near the same reassuring feedback that rivals do. Off-road, some of the vagueness can be a positive since it won’t buzz the steering wheel. The Pro-4X does a great job of making its way off-road without ever feeling incapable.
Towing & Payload
The 2021 Nissan Frontier doesn’t pull as much as its rivals from Chevrolet or Toyota, but it’s still capable of towing up to 6,700 pounds when properly equipped. Payload maxes out at 1,400 pounds, so there’s some carrying room to work with too.
2021 Nissan Frontier Fuel Economy & MPG
With only a single powertrain, the 2021 Nissan Frontier gets 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway when equipped with rear-wheel drive. The four-wheel drive model drops a single mpg in both categories. That’s well behind some rivals, so we’re looking forward to what the all-new 2022 model has to offer here.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 2021 Nissan Frontier fits like an old baseball glove in many ways. Of course, that’s because it’s been around for so long, but we’ll come back to that. The seats are supportive and very adjustable, though we wish there was more lumbar support. The layout of the cabin is about as easy to understand and use as it gets. There’s good visibility, great climate control, and nice heated seats.
The drawbacks come in the fact that there’s nothing in here that feels modern. The rear seats are pretty cramped too. Still, there are some real positives to the old-school design. For those that use this vehicle as a work truck, it’s great. Nothing is hard to use and everything is easy to clear. It’s also hard to break this stuff and should it be broken, it’ll be cheap to replace.
Entertainment & Technology
The biggest drawback in the 2021 Nissan Frontier is the complete lack of modern technology. The 7-inch infotainment screen is solid for what it is. Sadly, it lacks any hint of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. There’s nothing like a blind-spot camera or adaptive cruise control no matter how much you pay. Even the few features it does have, like the Bluetooth connection or the backup camera, don’t work super well. The Bluetooth cuts out regularly and the backup camera display is hilariously small and low resolution. There’s just a single USB port in the vehicle too. It’s going to be interesting to see how much better next year’s model is.
2021 Nissan Frontier Trims & Pricing
S – $28,415
Every 2021 Nissan Frontier comes with a 310-horsepower engine and a nine-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but four-wheel power is an available option on the S and SV trims. The S also comes with keyless entry, a locking tailgate, rear privacy glass, and 16-inch wheels. Technology is a little underwhelming, but it features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and four speakers.
SV – $29,295
The mid-range SV gets power-adjustable mirrors, a sliding rear window, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Those who want more can opt for any number of many available packages. The Value Truck package adds heated front seats, rear parking sensors, a class IV tow hitch receiver, a spray-in bedliner, and an old-school compass and outside temp display. The Special Edition package adds 18-inch wheels, a trip computer, and special trim. The Midnight Edition provides black trim and 18-inch wheels.
Pro-4X – $39,115
The Pro-4X only comes with four-wheel drive. It also gets a sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, skid plates, all-terrain tires, a roof rack, automatic headlights, and Bilstein off-road shocks paired with a locking rear differential. Inside, buyers will find a premium infotainment system with navigation and 10 speakers.
Warranties
Nissan offers the same standard warranty as basically everyone in the industry on their 2021 Nissan Frontier. Their limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles. The powertrain is covered for 5 years or 60,000-miles. There’s also no complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2021 Nissan Frontier – usa.nissannews.com | Shop 2021 Nissan Frontier on Carsforsale.com
The 2021 Nissan Frontier isn’t a great truck if you’re looking for technology or modern features. At the same time, if you’re a buyer looking for a sincerely potent powertrain with a hardcore work ethic, it’s hard to beat the value available in the Frontier. However, keep on the lookout for the much needed redesign and updates coming to this mid-size pickup truck for two.
