Nissan Frontier reviews

2003 Nissan Frontier Walkaround

Nissan Frontier is a compact truck with a big, bold design, starting with an industrial-grade front end that looks like a cross between a power tool and a boxing glove. This truck won't go unnoticed, like the relatively bland Toyota Tacoma.

That powerful look includes a body-colored grille, which incorporates a faux bash guard made of tough plastic, an original design. The front end comes off as bulky without being big, and the rounded edges emphasize that Pow!-in-your-face boxing-glove look. The hoodline is tall, the clear halogen headlights and round Maxima foglights are oversized, and the turn signals goggle-like. Large fender flares with integral mud flaps span radial wheel arches, and have a finish that's deliberately duller than the body. They're attached by prominent tabs that look like bolt heads, which cause people to walk up and see if they twist. There's something right about any design feature that draws people to touch it. The gas tank opening is boldly notched into the right rear fender flare.

Around back you'll find a standard tailgate lock, designed to keep the tailgate itself from being stolen, not what's in the bed. Because tailgates get smashed so easily the demand for them is high, which keeps thieves busy; the lock should slow them down at least.

XE models have 15-inch wheels (alloys if they are V6-powered) shod in P225/70R15 rubber (P265/70R15 with the V6). SE models roll on six-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, a new design this year. They wear P255/65R16 tires on the 2WD SE; SE 4WD and SVE models come with wider and taller 265/70R16 tires. The S/C is planted to the ground with P265/55R17s in 2WD mode, P265/65R17s with 4WD.

Crew Cab short bed holds just 33 cubic feet of cargo space, compared with 44.1 cubic feet for the remaining models.

With either bed, you can gain about 16 inches of length with an optional bed extender, a hinged aluminum rack that effortlessly flips back 180 degrees to frame the end of the lowered tailgate. Flip the bed extender forward, close the tailgate, and it provides a contained area for groceries or other small cargo. When you want it out of the way, the bed extender can be quickly removed. Unlike a solid tailgate, however, the bed extender won't hold back dirt or anything that can slip between its aluminum tubes.

On the roof is a beefy tubular rack, first featured on the Xterra; it can be fitted with Yakima attachments to carry skis, snowboards and mountain bikes. A bed-mounted bike rack is also available.

The engine compartment is tidy and roomy, and everything looks well balanced and accessible. SE and supercharged models now come with a heavy-duty 100-amp alternator and an under-hood junction outlet for easy wiring of aftermarket accessories. The hood closes with a solid thunk, as do the four doors.