2019 Nissan Frontier Pros vs Cons

The 2019 Nissan Frontier is a no-nonsense, mid-sized, pickup truck. This isn't a luxury vehicle, it was built for transportation and work duty. It handles both jobs well, offering a solid engine and excellent steering dynamics. The V-6 has plenty of power for your average truck duties. It's rugged, reliable and comes in at a very affordable price. You can opt for an extended cab and an extended bed, making it suitable for most needs. Nissan's Frontier hasn't changed much in the last ten years, but it continues to sell well. This is largely due to the high quality and low cost.

What's New For 2019?

The new 2019 Nissan Frontier is more of the same. There are rumors that the Frontier will see a major update soon, but it won't be this year. Some would say, why fix what isn't broken? This truck has become something of a classic on the road. It just does what you need a truck to do without any frills. For 2019, you now get a 7.0-inch touchscreen with the standard infotainment system. Nissan now offers a new exterior color called Cayenne Red. Other than those minor changes, this is the same truck as the 2018 model.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2019 Nissan Frontier – The Pros

1. Great V-6 Engine Performance

The 2019 Nissan Frontier comes equipped with either an inline 4-cylinder engine or a V-6. The V-6 is the best option here, as it offers plenty of power and torque for work duties. It's capable of cranking out 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is good too. The Nissan Frontier can get you from 0 to 60 mph in just over 7 seconds. It has a quarter-mile track time of 14.8 seconds. There's plenty of power on tap for a high towing capacity and hauling heavy loads.

2. Good Steering Dynamics

The Nissan Frontier offers better than average steering and handling. The 6-speed automatic or manual transmission systems both work well and shift smoothly. There's very little body sway for a truck when you make a sharp turn. The Frontier feels nice and stable. The actual steering is tight and very responsive. There's a small turning radius which makes the Frontier easy to maneuver. It's a fun little truck to drive about on daily commutes.

3. It's an Excellent Value

One of the best reasons to choose a 2019 Nissan Frontier is the price point. It's one of the cheapest mid-size trucks on the road. It's also a very high-quality vehicle that should last you for many years to come. It can take a real beating as a work truck and will just keep going. This makes the Nissan Frontier a great value for your money.

4. Practical Work Truck Capabilities

The Nissan Frontier is a practical vehicle no matter what you need it to do. It's a great daily driver to get you to and from work. It's also excellent as a work-duty truck once you get there. It has a truck-bed payload capacity of over 1,500 pounds. If you need to go over rough terrain on the job site, the Frontier can get you there. It's utilitarian build, capabilities and low cost make this the ideal work truck.

5. The Ability to Tow

The 2019 Nissan Frontier offers an impressive towing capacity. When properly configured, the V-6 models can tow up to 6,710 pounds. You can haul even more materials for work or take a boat or trailer along on vacations. The high torque allows you to tow while still maintaining good acceleration too.

6. Off-Road Performance

The Frontier is available in two different trims specifically for off-road fun. These are called the Desert Runner and the Pro-4X. You can also add individual options such as larger tires and upgraded shocks for the lower trim levels. It's easy to configure a truck for whatever off-road duties you need it to tackle. The high ground clearance and 4-wheel drive makes this truck a serious performer while off of the beaten path.

7. It's Tough and Reliable

If you want a durable truck, the 2019 Nissan Frontier is a great choice. Being a 2019 model means there aren't a lot of reliability ratings for this specific year yet. Still, the model has no major changes over the 2018 Frontier or even those of the past few years. The reliability of the latest model should be similar to what we've seen in the past. What we've seen in the past is a truck that rarely needs to see a mechanic. It's a well-made machine. It even stands up to heavy abuse as a work vehicle too.

8. Supportive, Comfortable Front Seats

The interior of the Nissan Frontier is a simple one, but the seats are quite nice. The front seats are supportive and comfortable. They can keep you content during long drives even over rough terrain. The overall ride quality of the Frontier is nice. The suspension system does its job well, but the comfort is helped greatly by the well-designed seats.

9. It Comes in Many Configurations

The 2019 Nissan Frontier can be configured in a number of different ways. You can customize this truck for just about any purpose or need. You can get an extended bed for more hauling. You can opt for an extended cab with two normal doors and two smaller reverse doors for the rear seats. You can even select a full-size cab that can seat four or five people. You can opt for a V-6 or I-4 engine and choose between manual or automatic transmissions. The Frontier comes in 2WD or 4WD models as well.

10. A Nice Infotainment System

The Nissan Frontier has a basic interior. One area in which it does go modern is in the infotainment system. A bright, clear, 7.0-inch touchscreen now comes standard in all models. The speaker system sounds great for a truck at this price point. The system features connectivity through USB ports or Bluetooth technology. It also features voice commands and a navigation system.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2019 Nissan Frontier – The Cons

1. The Fuel Economy

The poor fuel economy is the biggest downside of the Nissan Frontier. This is one thirsty truck that will cost you at the pump. The base engine gets a combined, fuel-economy rating of 19 mpg. You can bump that up to 21 mpg if you select the manual transmission system. The V-6 gives you better performance, but its fuel economy is even worse. You can expect around 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. That's a combined rating of only 17 mpg.

2. The Exterior Style is Ancient

The new 2019 Nissan Frontier is the same old truck we've been seeing for a decade. The exterior has only had minor tweaks here and there over the years. The fact that the Frontier looks so old may be an issue for some people. It's not that it was ever a bad design, it's just starting to look like a vintage vehicle at this point.

3. The Interior is Very Basic

The interior seats are comfortable, but there aren't a lot of other creature comforts to be found inside of the Frontier. The interior is well made and durable, but it's also very basic. This may be a turn off for some in an age where every type of vehicle is loaded with luxury features. Others may prefer the simplicity and back-to-basics nature of this truck. As a work truck, the simple interior is very easy to clean and maintain.

How the 2019 Nissan Frontier Stacks up to the Competition

Let's take a look at how the 2019 Nissan Frontier stacks up to the competition. Three of the top mid-size trucks on the market today are the Toyota Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado and the Honda Ridgeline. The Toyota Tacoma engine performance is comparable to the Nissan Frontier's. The Frontier gives you a bit more torque. When it comes to reliability, J.D. Power and Associates names the Frontier one of the best trucks on the road. It's way ahead of the Tacoma in this category.

The Chevy Colorado offers better fuel economy. The Nissan Frontier offers a better starting price. The Frontier's reliability ratings are once again better than the competition. The Colorado gives you a bit more interior space. The Nissan offers better off-road performance with the right trim package.

Honda's Ridgeline is a great truck with a lot to offer. It gives you more horsepower and slightly better fuel economy than the Nissan Frontier. Both offer off-road packages with similar performance stats. The Nissan comes out ahead here as the better deal of the two. The stats in which the Honda wins are always still close and comparable. The Nissan Frontier gives you similar performance at a much better base price.

In Conclusion

This is a no frills, serious work truck and basic transportation. It can be a lot of fun if you want a truck specifically for off-road adventures too. The Frontier hearkens back to the days when a person bought a truck for its reliability, performance and work-related capabilities. The Nissan Frontier handles all of those things beautifully. It won't win any awards for exterior style or modern features, but the Frontier has it where it counts. If you need a solid truck at a very good price, you can't go wrong with a 2019 Nissan Frontier.