Jul 30, 2018, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

One of the more affordable pickups in the niche, Nissan’s smallest truck is described by the manufacturer as “first and foremost a workhorse – designed to tackle both professional and personal projects.” J.D. Power agrees with the marketing spin and selected the 2018 Nissan Frontier as the top-rated Midsize Pickup for the third consecutive year. And the public is on board as Frontier has seen its sales gain 27 percent this year.

Historically, Frontier was launched in 1997 as a compact pickup, and was referred to early on as the D22. It has also been known as the Nissan Navara (for the Navarre region of Northern Spain), and the “Hardbody,” referring to its double-wall bed and overall styling. Internationally, Frontier has been called Datsun in Japan, Terrano in Chile, Fiera in Bolivia, Winner in the Middle East, and a dozen other names globally.

While a third-generation Frontier, which began in 2014 and only offers a 4-cylinder engine, is called the D23, and is not available in America, we Yanks can still drive the second-generation Frontier, which began in 2004. Frontier debuted with a 4-cylinder engine that was upgraded to a V-6 in 1999 and a 2.5-liter turbodiesel in 2005. Now a midsize, a facelift changed its dynamics in 2009, as did a new 240hp V-6 turbo engine. This year, a 4.0-liter engine is available and was the setup I tested.

Enhancements for the 2018 model year include the addition of standard RearView Monitor across all models and updated base grade content – including standard air conditioning, backup camera, cruise control, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, 5.0-inch color display audio and Siri® Eyes Free. A moonroof package is now available on all trims and a new Midnight Edition Package is available with gloss-black grille, 18-inch gloss-black wheels, semi-gloss black step rails, body-colored front and rear bumpers, black exterior door handles, painted black exterior rearview mirrors, semi-gloss black tubular step rails, semi-gloss black badging and "Midnight Edition" badging.

Frontier sits on a full-length, fully boxed ladder frame and replicates many of the full-size Nissan Titan's features, including its bold, expressive and sporty exterior styling. Frontier utilizes signature Nissan truck themes – an angled strut grille, large bumpers, short front and rear overhangs and large, stamped-steel geometric fender flares.

My test Frontier Pro-4X with a Crew Cab, in 4x4 configuration with an automatic transmission weighs in with a curbweight of 4570 lbs and a weight distribution of 56/44. The pick-up measures 205.5 inches long with a standard short bed and 219.4 inches with a long bed. Width is 72.8 inches, height is 70.1 inches and ground clearance goes 8.9 minimum running, with a step-in height of 19.8 inches in front and 20.6 in the rear, while sitting on a 125.9-inch wheelbase.

The 2018 Frontier powers up with either an aluminum block and head, longitudinal 4.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 261 hp and 281 lbs.-ft. of torque, or a 152-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder (King Cab only) – mated to either a 5-speed manual (I4), 6-speed manual (V6) or 5-speed automatic transmission. With good acceleration and enough torque for passing and light hauling, the 4.0-liter V-6 performed well enough at the track to get me from zero to 60mph in 7.4 seconds, during a rough-sounding 15.8-second quarter-mile run.

A comfortable ride on the highway. Frontier is a bit loose during turns, and steering is a bit vague, but passengers enjoyed the accommodations.

Frontier’s cabin is a bit dated, but it is filled with comfort and infotainment amenities including flip-up rear seats and fold-flat front passenger's seat, available leather-appointed power-adjustable seats, heated seats and mirrors, and an available upgraded sound system.

Interior dimensions are truck-roomy at 39.9 inches of front headroom and 38.6 in row two; leg room is 42.4 in the first row and 33.6 for second-seaters, while shoulder room is 58.3 for driver and passengers.

Safety and security starts with zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, and includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (which includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor), front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.

The 2018 Nissan Frontier comes in 23 variations from King Cab to Crew Cab and up to the new Midnight Edition trim. The base King Cab S in 4x2 with the 4-cylinder engine starts at $18,990 and the top-of-the-line Midnight Edition 4x4 with the V-6 starts at $32,425, though the Crew Cab SL 4x4 bases higher, at $36,400. My test Crew Cab Pro-4X based at $33,790 with an automatic transmission (manual starts at $32,740). In Cayenne Red, with a Graphite cloth interior, we kept the price down by not opting for the $2100 Premium Package (Leather-appointed seats, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 4-way power adjustable front-passenger’s seat, heated outside mirrors, power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature, etc.). We did add Pro-4X carpeted floor mats for $140, a hood protector (front spoiler) for $76, and side window deflectors for $67. With Destination and Handling charges of $975, the sticker-as-tested came to $35,048.

You can see the 2018 Nissan Frontier, and other Nissan trucks on the Midway at this year’s Carlisle Truck Nationals, at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, this weekend. With more than 2000 trucks expected on the showfield, the event showcases the coolest trucks anywhere, from vintage to new, with event invitationals displays and club gatherings ranging from Antiques to Big Rigs to Vans.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.