The mid-size 2008 Nissan Frontier pickup comes in two cab styles, King Cab and Crew Cab. The King Cab has smaller, rear-hinged rear doors, and the Crew Cab has full-size, front-hinged rear doors and a larger rear-seat area. The King Cab is available in a single bed length, but the Crew Cab is now available in standard bed and long bed versions; the new long bed is 13 inches longer.

The Frontier shares its basic layout, including the suspension and other components, with the larger Titan pickup. The suspension combines a double-wishbone front setup with a solid-axle and leaf springs at the rear.

The base XE and SE Frontier King Cab 2WD trucks have a 152-horsepower, 2.5L four-cylinder engine. All other Frontiers are powered by a 4.0L V6 engine, making 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The predominantly aluminum, double-overhead-cam engine has continuously variable valve timing, variable induction, and a number of attributes for smooth operation and efficiency. Four-cylinder models have a five-speed manual transmission standard, while V6 models get six speeds. A five-speed automatic is available on both.

On V6 models, a four-wheel drive system is available, featuring electronically controlled shift-on-the-fly engagement and a low range. The 4WD models also bring a four-wheel limited-slip system. Hill Descent Control (HDC) helps maintain a steady slow speed while descending especially steep slopes, while Hill Start Assist (HSA) allows a smooth, controlled start on a steep incline without roll-back; both features are optional.

There's also an off-road Nismo edition, available in King Cab or Crew Cab versions with either 2WD or 4WD, which brings Bilstein performance shocks and an electronic-locking rear differential. Ground clearance is increased, with vital hardware tucked within the frame rails. The Nismo also includes skid plates and 16-inch off-road tires.

The Frontier has several innovative storage options, including storage boxes under the rear seats, a large center console, a dual-compartment glove box, and several power points. The Utili-track system, which brings removable utility tie-down cleats and secure attaching channels, is available and especially useful for securing heavy cargo that doesn't take up the entire bed.

Front-seat side air bags are optional, as are side-curtain air bags that cover front and rear occupants.

Model Strengths

Utility and cargo versatility; Nismo off-road model; power (V6); towing ability.

Model Changes

Whereas in 2007 the Nissan Frontier's 2.5L four-cylinder engine was only available on the XE models, it is also offered in the more luxurious SE trim for 2008. The Nismo and LE trims now come with Bluetooth and XM satellite radio bundled in the Technology Package, and the LE trim comes with a standard power cloth driver seat instead of one with manual controls.

Model Value

The 2008 Nissan Frontier is a good, manageably sized alternative to full-size trucks, and its V6 engine is one of the most powerful in its class. The truck also stands out for its unique Utili-track system and plentiful interior storage bins. Towing ability is a strong point for the Frontier, too; properly equipped, it can tow up to 6,500 pounds.

The Nissan Frontier is a model of pickup truck assembled by Nissan and sold under the Nissan brand. Nissan was the pioneer of the compact pickup truck market in 1959, joined in the 1960s by Toyota. Since 1959, Nissan is known for a number of notable firsts in the compact pickup truck market, including the first extended cab bodystyle and the first crew cab bodystyle compact pickup in North America, in the 2000 Frontier. Frontiers are currently built in Smyrna, Tennessee, like its immediate predecessor, the Nissan Hardbody Truck.

The Frontier was introduced in 1997 for the 1998 model year as a replacement for the aging 1986.5ndash1997 Nissan Hardbody Truck. Nissan first offered the Frontier with a 4-cylinder engine, the KA24DE, but added the 6-cylinder engine, the VG33E in 1999. The truck was available only in a standard cab offering at first, but a king cab configuration was also added in 1999.

That changed, with the introduction of the 2000 Frontier Crew Cab. The Crew Cab was the first compact pickup to offer a 4-door body-style in North America. Until that point, crew cabs were heavy duty versions of full-size trucks and were mainly used as commercial vehicles, although four-door compact pickups existed in Asia and Europe for decades.

For 2001, Nissan face-lifted the Frontier, introducing bolder styling in an effort to make it more appealing to younger buyers. The Frontier was completely redone after the 2004 model year, which later resulted in the suspension of the regular cab model, indefinitely.

Initially, the Frontier was considered a compact, but beginning with the totally-redesigned model year 2005 Frontier,it become more mid-sized. It uses the new Nissan F-Alpha platform and resembles the companys full-size Nissan Titan truck.

The new trucks wheelbase is 125.9in with a 205.5in overall length. Towing capacity is 6500lb.A 4.0L VQ-family V6, the VQ40DE, is the standard engine, and it produces a respectable 265hp with 284ftlbf of torque. Also av