2012 Nissan Frontier Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Leading the pack in the diminishing world of midsize pickups is the hearty Frontier, Nissan's most configurable truck. The 2012 model comes...

Leading the pack in the diminishing world of midsize pickups is the hearty Frontier, Nissan's most configurable truck. The 2012 model comes in two body styles—King Cab or Crew Cab, which has 4 full-size doors—and a host of trims that will satisfy drivers from suburbia to the Sahara.

Both styles include base S, SV and PRO-4X trims, with an SL trim available for the Crew. Both the S and SV King come with a 152-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 171 lb-ft of torque, a 5-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. Want more power? Ramp up to the SV V6 or PRO-4X, which boast a big ol' 4.0-liter V6 engine with 261 hp, 281 lb-ft of torque, a 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive (4WD on the PRO-4X). Want something classier? The luxurious SL adds heated seats and a roof rack. A 5-speed automatic is an option for all models; 4WD is an option for the SV V6 and SL. Want it all? Step up to the PRO-4X, which contains most SV options as standard.

Both the SL and SV offer a 6-foot "extended" bed, essential to those using their truck to actually tote items; it's better than the standard 5-foot, but still on the short side.

Although there have been minimal overall changes to the lineup, new for 2012 is a Sports Appearance package for the SV, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, dark silver finish grille and body-side graphics (if you're into that sort of thing).

Inside is the typical Nissan mix of form and function. The Spartan dial system looks good and is easy to use. It's pretty bare-bones in the S model—an AM/FM radio/CD player isn't included as standard, and only the PRO-4X or one of the SV packages offers a Bluetooth option, Rockford Fosgate 6-CD audio system, streaming audio or auxiliary jack. All trims contain Nissan's handy 2-door glove compartment.

But if you want something roomy on the inside, you need the Crew Cab; the seats in the back of the King are simply not as comfortable and accessible. Folding the rear seats down in either style, however, does offer quite a bit of room for items you that you don't want flying around in the open bed.

As far as power and handling are concerned, all Frontier engines and trims deliver. The 4-cylinder can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the V6 is rated up to 6,500. Mileage-wise, the truck is about average for its class, rated at 19 mpg city/23 highway for the manual S and SV 4-cylinder, 17/22 for the automatic and around 15/20 for the others.

Safety-wise, all trims now come standard with Vehicle Dynamic Control, 6 airbags, and antilock disc brakes. The Frontier is consistently rated one of the safest trucks on the market.

No matter what type of truck you're looking for, you can rest assured that the Frontier can be configured just the way you need it.