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2007 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE Long Bed 4X4 Road Test

When I was given the invitation to drive a 2007 Nissan Frontier for the week,I gladly jumped at the opportunity. Even though neither my city slicker lifestyle nor my nine to five occupation ever ushered me into considering a pickup truck as my daily driver, the few times that I've borrowed or rented one for specific purposes, I really enjoyed it. Whether it was for transporting my furniture for my move or just knowing the fact that a pickup truck has a wonderful blend of rugged reliability and practicality, I can actually now see myself having one as a daily driver. I'm also attracted to truck engines because of their torque. Maybe my bias comes from the fact that I used to own a Nissan 240SX powered by a KA24DE truck engine, offering loads of torque and engine durability that was as tough as nails. In fact it was the same engine used for the first generation Frontier back in 1998.

Fast forward nine years and Nissan has, what I see, designed a rugged yet sporty second generation Frontier with an evident genetic similarity to its current bigger sibling, the full size Titan. For 2007,

Nissan's hearty little truck has grown up into a proper midsize, rivaling opponents in power and capability. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

the midsize Frontier Crew Cab wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer and can be ordered in the Long Bed model (like our tester) that measures 13 inches longer than the standardFrontier bed. Multiple trim configurations can be ordered in either King Cab or Crew Cab platforms, starting with the XE 4x2 to the SE 4x2 or 4x4, to the LE 4x2 or 4x4, and the grand daddy of them all, the NISMO 4x4, tuned specifically for off-road performance.

Powered by the award winning VQ engine, this 4.0-liter DOHC V6 with Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System produces 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The Frontier can be mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, like this example, or a 6-speed manual. There's enough juice in this SE to

What you really need is the strong V6 engine, a derivative of the famed VQ-series powerplant. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

tow 6,100 pounds or carry 1,381 pounds of payload. It can also be ordered with a milder 2.5-liter 4-cylinder powerplant (also found in the Sentra SE-R) that produces 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque, but only if you buy the base the XE King Cab 4x2.

As mentioned, my test car was an SE 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed 5-speed automatic model finished in Storm Gray paint. Overall, this Frontier is a handsome truck with a relatively mainstream design as far as pickup trucks areconcerned. Nissan is giving the domestic manufacturers a run for their money by sprucing up the appearance with hints of strength and durability such as the pronounced fender flares, chrome bumpers, and the recognizable chrome anchored grille. Measuring at 219.4 inches long by 72.8 inches wide and 70.1 inches high, the 4,555-pound Frontier has more than enough carrying capacity for 5 occupants

Rugged frame is used on most Nissan trucks including Pathfinder, Armada and Titan. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

as well as cargo. And while the room inside won't be an issue for most, getting inside in the first place could be a challenge for the less acrobatic. Even though I'm 5'10”, I found myself having to tiptoe to get into the driver's seat, so optional sidesteps are highly recommended. Rear doors open wide allowing ease of ingress and egress, once again if a step is included.

On the road, the V6 has plenty of low rpm power and is great for city driving. Under hard acceleration you'll definitely hear the engine come alive and feel the gears change, but once again, understanding thetarget market for the Frontier, the VQ roar will be music to their ears and the noticeable shift intervals part of the thrill. Its whopping 281 lb-ft of torque, of which 90-percent is available at 1,500 rpm, means the Frontier is no slouch off the line. I found my head kick back many times when I stepped on the gas pedal. Fuel consumption ratings are on average 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg

Long wheelbase, grippy tires and good suspension travel makes this an ideal work-a-day truck too. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

on highway.

The Frontier is built on the F-Alpha platform, which is also the same ladder frame rails used to box the Titan, Pathfinder, and Armada trucks... in other words it's very rigid. Mounted on a double wishbone independent suspension up front with a stabilizer bar and multi-leaf springs over (instead of under) the solid rear axle, the ride was firm but not bone jarring. The tight suspension gives the driver a sense of control around corners within reasonable speeds. Visibility, of course, is great with the elevated ride height. Parallel parking is a breeze as I could see all four corners of the vehicle without a problem. However, the overall length of the extended Cab may need some getting used to, especially in tight turning parking lot situations. The only suggestion that I have is for the rearview mirror to be wider so that it provides visibility coverage of the entire rear window.

Equipped with 265/70 R16 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires, I took the Frontier to some unpaved roads and found the dial select 4x4 system quite effective in getting out of slippery

Pathfinder-style dashboard layout gives this little truck a more upscale ambiance. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

situations. Drivers get a choice of regular day to day rear-wheel drive 2WD or 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo. For the hardcore offroading enthusiast, you'll be glad to know that the Frontier SE offers an optional 4-wheel limited slip differential (the system senses a spinning drive wheel(s), then automatically applies the brakes to the spinning wheel(s) and directs power to the wheel(s) with the best traction) for $350, but requires the also optional $1,250 Power Package (power windows, locks, mirrors, cruise control, keyless entry with alarm and in-cabin microfilter). The LE and NISMOmodels can be optioned, as part of the $700 Traction Package, with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) which automatically compensates braking and throttle when the truck begins to oversteer or understeer and Hill Descend Control (HDC) which automatically adjusts vehicle speed/braking downhill and Hill Start Assist (HSA) which prevents rollbacks when taking the foot off the brakes.

In terms of safety, the Frontier comes well equipped with zone body construction featuring front and rear crumple zones, metal beams welded in the doors for better side protection, dual stage front airbags, available side and curtain airbags, active front

Access and room isn't bad in the second row for a pickup truck, just opt for a step rail. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

head restraints and the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) that lets you secure LATCH-compatible child seats in the back seat without having to use seat belts or a locking clip.

The interior design and finish is what you would expect for the working person's truck, or in other words the dash is fitted with hard durable plastics instead of the soft-touch variety that is so en vogue these days.Climate control dials are big and easy to use even if you had your work gloves on, and radio controls are also well laid out with intuitive, large buttons. My test car's interior was furnished with durable mesh cloth bucket seats up front and a 60/40 split bench in the rear, where the seats can be folded up to reveal more cargo space. Rear occupant seating is comfortable with adequate legroom. Truly, with my average height I found the room in back quite reasonable. Storage is also abundant with a dual glove box, center console storage trays, center armrest storage, as well as a couple of storage bins tucked underneath the back seats. Again, with the focus on utility, there are multiple power ports to juice up your laptop, cellular phone, coffee warmer, or whatever else you'd like to add to this mobile office.

The handsome 3-spoke urethane steering wheel provided plenty of spongy grip.

The Frontier shouldn't be overlooked against the Tacoma, Dakota or Canyon/Colorado twins, or any other small to medium-sized truck. (Photo: Tony Kan, American Auto Press)

The design is similar to the ones used in other current Nissan models, including the Pathfinder, upscale Maxima, and even the 350Z, and can be manually tilted to reveal a nicely organized set of gauges complete with a 4x4 mode indicator.

The truck bedliner has a durable factory applied coating that provides grip and protection for the bed from wear and tear. Also borrowing from the Titan, is the Utili-track tie-down system of five “C” cross-section rails (two channels in the bed floor, one on each side of the bed rail and one on the header panel) allows brackets to be slide-mounted for modular accessories such as dividers, sliding cargo trays, and storage units, all available from your dealer or aftermarket parts supplier.

Our well equipped SE 4x4 model starts at $20,800, and inclusion of the optional 5-speed automatic, standard metallic paint and a few other packages topped out to $27,600. Not bad for a fully featured truck assembled in Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee facility. Perhaps it's the southern charm of the Frontier's origins that make it a contender with Toyota's Tacoma and the domestic trucks. Nissan has come a long way since its smaller Hardbody pickup days to now be able fend this capable truck against the industry giants. If you're in the market for a solid midsize pickup truck with an abundance of drivetrain and cab configurations, definitely test drive the Frontier.

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