Your choices for a midsize pickup truck have been slim lately, but the Nissan Frontier has been up to the job. Small, but capable, with two-or four-wheel drive and four or six cylinders, the Frontier offers a lot for people who would like a truck with most of the flavor and little of the fat.
What's New For 2015
For 2015, the Frontier soldiers on with a few enhancements. There's a standard moonroof for SL LWB models, standard NissanConnect mobile apps suite for SV, Desert Runner and PRO-4X trims, and navigation for the PRO-4X.
Choosing Your Nissan Frontier
The Frontier is offered in two body styles, King Cab and four-door Crew Cab, and in five trim levels: S, SV, PRO-4X, Desert Runner and SL. It's also offered with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 152 horsepower or a 4-liter V6 with 261 horsepower, though the engine availability varies with two or four-wheel drive and with trim level.
You're going to want a V6-equipped model, and it's hard to pass up a 4x4 for their jacked-up suspension and more rugged looks. But a nicely optioned SV might actually make the most financial sense against heavily discounted full-size pickup trucks.