Nissan Frontier reviews

2002 Nissan Frontier Interior Features

Frontier's interior effuses an industrial look that complements the exterior. The instrument panel is striking with a two-tone titanium-colored background. At night the numbers illuminate, but because they're outlined in white instead of being bold, they're difficult to read. The tachometer stretches to 8000 rpm despite the engine's 4800 rpm power peak, with a redline beginning at 6000 and running in a big pointless streak to eight grand. The digital clock is positioned so it's virtually impossible to read in the sunlight, and the little green lights indicating air conditioning are too dim and tiny to read.

The console layout is tidy and handsome. The center dash and instrument panel is a big improvement over the silver plastic used last year, which looked like someone painted it with a can of spray paint.

The CD changer holds six CDs, which can be selected with the six radio station buttons. There are two cool buttons for the emergency flashers and rear window defogger, rectangular and totally flat on the face of the panel. The heater controls are three big switches with wings, easy to operate when wearing gloves.

There are front and rear auxiliary DC outlets in addition to the cigarette lighter. Big fixed cup holders are provided front and rear; the front cup holders on the center console work well. There's another tray ideal for a cellphone forward of the shift lever. Three grab handles are provided for climbing in and out, and available running boards make the step up easy. Radio and cruise controls are located on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with wide spokes located at 3, 9, 5 and 7 o'clock. The whole padded center is the horn, the best and safest operation because of quick access.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive. Leather is available in the Crew Cab. The leather seats are truly excellent, however. Long trips are comfortable.

Short trips in the back seats of the Crew Cab are fine for adults, but long rides may leave them feeling confined. We wouldn't want to ride very far back there. The rear seat space is tight in terms of knee room, but there's good head room and elbow room. We've found children are comfortable in the back seat of the Crew Cab. It provides for the secure installation of a child safety seat, something that can't always be found in extended cabs. Bigger people find little legroom in back. Technically it's a five-seater, but don't count on it. Don't count on even two adults being comfortable for long in the back seat if they're taller than five-foot-two. Getting in and out of the back seat is awkward for adults as they have to swing their feet around the B-pillars behind the front seats.

The rear and backseat windows are privacy glass, standard, with a rear window defogger. The optional flip-up sunroof ventilates, but doesn't fully open to the sky; it's covered from the inside with a removable headliner with plastic tabs.