Nissan Frontier Trim Comparison

The Nissan Frontier gives you the style and reliable performance for which Nissan is known, plus the power and convenience that you get with a good work pickup truck. Yet you can drive this truck just for fun - it looks nice enough to impress clients or to make an impression in your kid's car line at school.

The Frontier is also affordable. The base model starts at just under $19,000, and even when you pack on the features and get the crew cab, you'll keep your budget low. It's important that you compare the features offered in each of the trim levels so you can decide what items are worth the cost and can get exactly the configuration you need for your truck.

Here's a look at the trim levels for the Nissan Frontier:

Base Model

The base model Nissan Frontier is the S. It comes with a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that puts out 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. Features like the continuously variable valve timing control system, the induction control system, and electronic drive-by-wire throttle ensure you have more control and a smoother ride when you are behind the wheel.

The powertrain includes a five-speed manual transmission, but a five-speed automatic is available. Fifteen-inch steel wheels are standard, as are mud- and snow-rated all-season tires. A full-size spare is also included.

The Frontier offers a comfortable ride, with four-way adjustable seats with cloth trim. Standard interior features include an in-cabin microfilter, Bluetooth hands-free calling and texting, a rearview monitor, and a five-inch color display for the infotainment system. A four-speaker audio system is standard, and controls are mounted on the steering wheel for convenience. A USB port makes it easy to charge your phone or stream music from it.

Traction control, active brake limited slip, advanced cabin design, and a suite of airbags enhance safety while driving.

The base model Nissan Frontier offers everything you would need in a dependable truck, plus a little more, and it does so at a price that nearly every budget can afford.

SV Trim

For just a few thousand dollars more, you can move up to the SV trim level and enjoy many more features that make driving fun. You get the same engine and drivetrain, but you get some perks in styling features and convenience features.

For example, you get aluminum-alloy wheels instead of the basic steel, as well as slightly larger tires. The front bumper is body color, and the rear bumper is chrome. A sliding rear window and power mirrors offer more flexibility.

Inside, you get more of the standard features that you would find on a sedan but that are often omitted on a more practically oriented truck, such as power windows and locks. The driver's window has a one-touch auto-down feature. Sun visors are included with vanity mirrors and extensions, and there is a tilting steering column topped by voltage and oil pressure gauges.

In addition to the basic infotainment system, the SV trim also offers a three-month complimentary subscription to Sirius XM satellite radio. You also get remote keyless entry for easy access - a feature you'll appreciate when it's pouring rain.

You get just a little extra with the SV that will make your ride seem more comfortable and luxurious - but not too fancy that you can't use your truck for serious work.

Desert Runner

The Desert Runner trim is a special edition that not only provides some performance perks but also gives the truck a special look to set it apart from its competitors.

To start, the Desert Runner trim comes with a more powerful 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine that puts out 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The Desert Runner has all the perks of the drivetrain on the lower level trims, such as the platinum-tipped spark plugs and induction control system. You can also opt to make it a flexible fuel vehicle (only available with an automatic transmission).

Performance on the Desert Runner is enhanced by the front and rear vented disc brakes, Bilstein off-road performance shock absorbers, and larger 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Exterior extras on the Desert Runner include fog lights for cutting through the mists in the back country, bed rail caps for a finished look on your bed, and dual power outside mirrors for fast and easy adjustments.

The Desert Runner also gets a special look with body color front and rear bumpers and a satin chrome grille. Inside, embroidered seat trim and contrast stitching set the Desert Runner apart. It also has white-faced gauges with satin chrome bezels.

All the interior features of the SV trim are included here, plus a multi-functional trip computer and a driver's seatback pocket. The seats also get more points of adjustment for enhanced comfort, including lumbar support.  

PRO-4X

The PRO-4X trim of the Nissan Frontier gives you a little bit more of everything. This is the luxury model and the most powerful one.

The PRO-4X trim comes with the same powerful engine from the Desert Runner trim, and it has a five-speed automatic transmission. It comes with extras like a Dana 44 rear axle, a switch-operated two-speed transfer case, and electronic locking rear differential, hill start assist, and hill descent control - all of which improve performance and handling. The Bilstein off-road performance shock absorbers are also included.

Exterior extras include skid plates, automatic headlights, fog lights, front tow hook, and splash guards. The PRO-4X also has the satin chrome grille and the body-color door handles and outside mirrors. A spray-on bedliner is standard.

Inside, the PRO-4X gets a larger color touch-screen display for the infotainment system, a navigation system, NissanConnect for mobile apps, voice recognition for navigation and audio, dual zone automatic climate control, a rear sonar system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. You get more convenience features than with any other trim level, making the Nissan Frontier seem downright luxurious.