Nissan Frontier

The redesigned 2005 Frontier compact pickup was a big step forward compared to its ponderously handling ancestors. It became quick and nimble, with a still-stiff though tolerable ride. The strong 4.0-liter V6 revs smoothly and feels like a V8. We chalked up an unimpressive 15 mpg overall. Base models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Transmissions include five- and six-speed manuals and a five-speed automatic. All Frontiers of this generation are either crew- or extended-cab, but rear seat room is tight in both. Side- and curtain-airbags, along with stability control are standard equipment. An optional longer (six-foot) bed arrived for 2007, but the tailgate is quite heavy. There were no major changes to the Frontier after that.

The Frontier debuted in 1998, with redesigned interior and exterior styling from the previous model, which lacked a name. But the Frontier's ride is stiff and its handling ponderous. A 3.3-liter V6 was offered beginning in 1999. A crew-cab model was added for 2000, and a supercharged version of the V6 joined the options list a year later.