What We Like:
- More fun to drive than competing trucks
- Off-road prowess
- Sturdy interior
What We Don’t Like:
- Lackluster exterior styling
- Dated interior design
- Economy feel but not economy price
While the new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups have beautiful, roomy and modern designs, the 2015 Nissan Frontier feels somewhat stuck in the past. Its cabin is dated and uses last-generation technology. Yet, those flaws are somewhat forgivable, because the Frontier with the PRO-4X package offers a fun off-road driving experience and good cargo space. Isn’t that what a truck is really about anyway?
The 2015 Nissan Frontier with a 4.0L V6 mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission is neither refined like the Canyon nor powerful like the Colorado. Yet, unlike those competing models, the Frontier makes you want to smoke the tires from a dead start. The extra oomph is largely due to having one less gear making its 281 pound-feet of torque kick in sooner.
The fun extends off-road as well. Where the Canyon and Colorado have low-hanging front air dams, which restrict the off-road fun, the Nissan Frontier entices you to bring it on. The 16-inch all-terrain tires and Bilstein shocks provide a great off-road experience. Plus, if you get carried away, the electronic locking rear differential, which delivers equal torque to both rear wheels, can help you get out of a tight spot.
The 2015 Nissan Frontier offers two extended-cab options. The King Cab variant has fold-down rear jump seats and a 6’1” bed. Crew cab models get a 60/40 split-folding rear bench and either a standard 5’ or a 6’1” bed. The Frontier comes in five different trim levels: S, SV, Desert Runner, PRO-4X and SL.
Our test model for this review was a 2015 Nissan Frontier crew cab PRO-4X with a luxury package, which sells for about $38,000, including destination. The PRO-4X package is Nissan’s off-road package and adds a variety of upgraded equipment like the performance shocks, electronic locking rear differential, and vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering.
The Good Ride Comes with Compromises
On the highway, the 2015 Nissan Frontier isn’t the quietest truck nor the smoothest ride. It handles like a truck, as opposed to the Canyon and Colorado, which provide a more car-like experience on the road.
And the Frontier is not the most exciting in terms of visual appeal. It matches the truck-like ride with straightforward looks featuring a plain treatment for grille and headlights, with the skidplate intruding into the front-end. The non-descript sides offer protruding wheel-wells, announcing its off-road nature. It all wraps up in back with a simple tailgate design accented by the Nissan logo and nameplates. While the design is pretty average, the roof rails, part of the PRO-4X package, add some much-needed character. Their unique shape helps add visual appeal to the truck and are a must for most Nissan Frontier buyers.
The cabin is cramped and filled with plastic. Everything from the steering wheel and radio to the storage compartments feel old compared to what’s in the marketplace today. Nissan is incorporating new technology like a larger infotainment screen and Bluetooth into the truck. Yet, it’s time for a complete overhaul.
For customers wanting lots of tech features, a smooth ride, and improved fuel economy in a smaller than full-size truck, the Frontier falls short. For example, a similarly equipped 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71, with a nicer interior and more technology features, has a starting MSRP of only $2,500 more than the Frontier.
2015 Nissan Frontier PRO 4X Specs
- Engine: 4.0L DOHC V6
- Power: 261 hp
- Torque: 280 lb.-ft.
- Transmission: five-speed automatic transmission
- Options: PRO-4X Luxury Package, Leather-Appointed Seats w/PRO-4X Logo, 8-way Power Heated Driver Seat, 4-Way Power Heated Front Passenger Seat, Dual Power Remote-Controlled Heated Outside Mirrors, Power Sliding Glass Moonroof w/Tilt, Power Rack w/Cross Bars
See Xenon Light Bulbs for 2015 Nissan Frontier for sale on eBay.
