In the competitive field of midsize pickups, the Nissan Frontier is tough to beat with its premium hardware, strong power and ability to handle all off-road challenges. It combines the sportiness, luxuriousness and practicality of a Nissan sedan with the cargo-hauling capacity demanded from a pickup.

 

A power-packed 4.0-liter V6 in the Nissan Frontier produces 261 hp and an even more powerful 281 lb/ft of torque. There's also a 152-hp 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine available. The V6 gives you the grunt for 6,500 pounds maximum towing capacity (when properly equipped).

The 2012 Nissan Frontier (MSRP starting at $18,200) is available in your choice of King Cab or Crew Cab models. The King Cab offers both the inline-four and the V6; Crew Cab models come standard with the V6. Both 4x2 and 4x4 driveline configurations are available, and there are four trim levels: Frontier S, SV, PRO-4X (4x4 only) and SL (Crew Cab only). Crew Cab SV and SL trims offer Long Bed models with beds measuring more than 13 inches longer than the Crew Cab’s standard bed of 59.5 inches.

 

The PRO-4X is going to get your blood pumping if going off road is your passion. The PRO-4X includes off-road tuned Bilstein^® high-pressure performance gas shock absorbers, skid plates for the oil pan and fuel tank, electronic rear differential locker in the 4x4 model and a limited-slip differential.

 

The Frontier has some exciting changes in store that you need to experience in person. The new Sport Appearance Package for King Cab and Crew Cab SV models includes 18-inch SL aluminum-alloy wheels in dark hyper silver finish, a dark grille treatment, body-colored front and rear bumpers, PRO-4X-style seats with gray seat bolsters and stitching, foglamps, body-side “Frontier” sport graphic, white-faced gauges and Bluetooth^® Hands-Free Phone System. Three new exterior colors are offered for 2012: Brilliant Silver, Metallic Blue and Lava Red.

 

The Nissan Frontier is known for its premium hardware, and the 2012 model is no exception. Among its highlights are an available high-utility bed with factory-applied spray-on bed liner, a Utili-track^® bed channel system with adjustable aluminum-alloy tie-down cleats (standard on SL and PRO-4X trims) and available accessory racks, trays, dividers and modular storage systems.

 

Another great feature for 2012 is the addition of a two-wheel Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) differential on four-cylinder Frontiers. Limited-slip differentials help you keep traction while cornering, or in slippery conditions such as mud and snow where two-wheel drive trucks are often at a disadvantage. Nissan bolsters your grip on the road in four-cylinder Frontiers with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which is now standard. All this traction comes with strong fuel economy; the four-cylinder Frontier King Cab model gets up to 21 mpg highway.

 

Your off-road experience is enhanced by the available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system with 2WD/4H/4LO modes, electronically controlled part-time transfer case and available four-wheel Active Brake Limited-slip, Electronic Locking Rear Differential, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). The latter two features serve you well both on- and off-road.

 

The Frontier continues to offer aggressive exterior design with a chrome, angled strut grille, large geometric stamped steel fender flares and large bumpers. Its off-road credibility is evidenced by its short front and rear overhangs, which won’t hang up in steep ascents and descents.

 

The interior is going to leave you pleased, too. It has a roomy, modern design that accommodates drivers of all sizes. Its flexible seating and cargo utility offer you secure, weatherproof storage for valuable tools and other implements you don't want to leave exposed in the pickup bed.

 

The Frontier also leads the way with technology that makes the cab much more refined than you’d expect in a midsize truck. There's an available Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with six-disc in-dash CD auto-changer and MP3 capability, a WMA/MP3 player auxiliary input jack (Crew Cab) and available Bluetooth^® Hands-free Phone System and XM Satellite Radio.

 

The Nissan Frontier is the right combination of the practicality and performance of a full-size pickup in a midsize package with the fun and comfort of a crossover utility vehicle thrown in for good measure. It's the right choice, whether you're making a dump run, going to the opera or getting it muddy on your favorite off-road course. Sign up for a test-drive today to learn how the Frontier can fit in your active lifestyle.