2009 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Waterville ME

November 18, 2009   By Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-in-Chief



2009 Nissan Frontier

DriverSide Overview
It seems like every time we turn around there’s another truck or SUV commercial touting a vehicle’s superiority both on and off road. Glitzy images of four-wheel slides across desert dirt roads, some surly stubble-laden driver in flannel and a gruff voice-over are all but obligatory, but where do the vehicle’s capabilities stop and the image of being tough and capable take over? There aren’t a whole lot of options out there that will stand up to serious off-road abuse on a daily basis, and there are even fewer that can do it while hauling a decent amount of cargo. While “tough” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think about Nissan, the company’s engineers have done an incredible job with their Frontier pickup, especially in its PRO-4X trim. The truck touts some serious off-road equipment, from skid plates to beefy axles, and the small wheel base and narrow track mean that it can get into – and out of – places that most can’t. If you’re looking for a ride that can take the rigors of the trail while being useful on a day-to-day basis, stop and take a look at the Frontier.
 







What's to Like
This is a no-bones-about-it truck. The heavy-duty equipment underneath means you know it can take a serious beating without breaking a sweat, and the more than capable four-wheel drive system propels the vehicle through the worst mother nature can throw at it. The Frontier isn’t a full-size; meaning navigating through parking lots is as easy as piloting around fallen trees.
 
What's Not to Like
The PRO-4X off-road package includes a set of Bilstein shocks that are made for the trail – and not much else. While the suspension handles itself over obstacles without a problem, it’s a little stiff for daily driving. The larger V6 engine, heavy four-wheel drive components and larger, more aggressive tires conspire against the Frontier in the fuel economy department as well.
 
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
For a smaller truck, there’s plenty of room inside of the Frontier. Visibility is great thanks to an elevated stance, and the 4.0-liter V6 engine puts out plenty of oomph. On trail, the extra ponies and lots of low-end torque are fantastic, as is the truck’s electronic locking rear differential and super-grippy BF Goodrich tires. The whole package makes for a truck that’s difficult to get stuck in any situation. Unfortunately, all that works for the truck off road comes back to haunt it on pavement. The T/A Rugged Trail tires are noisy, the ride is stiff and the seats aren’t exactly La-Z-Boy material. Still, for short jaunts around town, the truck isn’t bad. The King Cab Frontier provides a decent six-foot bed for hauling just about anything, and the spray in bedliner that&rs...

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