2012 Nissan Frontier: Video Road Test & Review

The pickup market is consistently dominated by the likes of the Big Three. Chevrolet fans opt for the Silverado, Dodge has the Ram, and Ford is running strong with the F-150. There are, however, other options out there for those who don't need a full-size pickup truck. One to keep an eye out for is the compact 2012 Nissan Frontier.

It hasn't received much in the way of updates for the latest model year, but there is a brand new Sport Appearance Package that adds 18-inch wheels, a satin-finish front grille, and a host of other style upgrades. Even without the optional extras, the Nissan Frontier is a sharp looking pickup in both the King and Crew Cab configurations. Both are four-door setups, but the King Cab uses half-size rear doors while the Crew Cab steps things up to full-size units. Additionally, if you desire a little bit more room out back, the Crew Cab SV and SL trims can be equipped with the optional Long Bed, which adds 13 inches of length to the Frontier.

Just as there are a handful of body configurations to choose from there are also a few decisions to be made with regards to the powertrain. The 2012 Nissan Frontier is available with rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, and either a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine. The base engine is a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. It can be paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic. The more common engine choice will be the 4.0-liter V6 however, thanks to the 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque it produces. That larger mill is paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

A list of trucks similar to the 2012 Nissan Frontier include the Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, and Chevrolet Colorado.