By Casey Williams

When I was a much younger man, my scoutmaster toted us brave little troopers to campsites and boating adventures in a Nissan pickup.  It wasn’t called Frontier back then — didn’t need to be. There was only one Nissan pickup.  The Titan would come later.  He knew my father was a GM man, so he reveled in showing me all of the cool features his Nissan possessed, but alas, my father’s Chevy did not.  Simple and strong, the truck lasted forever.  One gets the same feeling about the 2010 Frontier.

It starts with the truck’s beefy pug-boy looks.  Smooth flanks are fronted by a large chrome grille, but flow over 16″ alloy wheels, BFGoodrich Long Trail off-road rubber, and hulking fenders.  A steel rear bumper provides a good place to attach trailers or to step into the bed.  Designers sculpted sheet metal intricately around the windows and wheel wells to give the truck an upscale concept truck appearance.  It is at once rugged and handsome — a perfect trail companion.  

If you’re going to go out in the Frontier while dressed as a pimp or club queen, leather interior and all the accouterments will make you feel like a hot stud.  However, back in daylight, the cool cloth interior with supportive bucket seats and rubber steering wheel work just fine.  You can never beat the sexy feeling of leather, but cloth is more temperate in hot and cold weather.  A version of the last-generation Nissan Z’s three-spoke steering wheel, large analog gauges, supportive side bolsters, and center console almost convince you the Frontier is a sport coupe from the inside.  Rear jumpseats with half-doors let a couple of friends (or nieces) ride along for wherever you’re heading, so long as you’re not heading too far.  

While inside, everybody will appreciate freeze-my-nuggets air-conditioning, roast-your-chestnuts heating, four-speaker CD audio, dual glove box, and front center armrest with storage.  You can check your makeup in the lighted vanity mirrors before steppin’ out.  Large cupholders grip up to 32-oz. power drinks with ease.  Safety is enhanced by dual front, side, and side curtain airbags.

Moving the tough pickup through rough and ramble, not to mention high-speed interstates and potted city streets, is a 4.0-litre DOHC V6 engine that generates 261 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft. of torque.  Connected to a five-speed automatic transmission as in our test vehicle, the engine breathes deep to shove the Frontier forward.  All of that torque is put to good use when pulling trailers or climbing steep grades.  Unfortunately, V8-levels of power come with V8 thirst ratings of 14/19 mpg city/highway.

No matter where you drive, you’ll feel the Frontier was built to bust bunkers.  That’s not to say it’s harsh — it isn’t.  In fact, it’s about the most refined and sporty pickup you can buy.  The suspension absorbs roughness with hardly a shudder while the tight steering gives the Frontier a long-bed Nissan Z demeanor.  Ok, you’re not going to race supercars, but the Frontier is enjoyable to drive even while unloaded.

But, let’s say you want to load it up with camping gear and head off-road.  Like my scoutmaster in hiking boots, the Frontier is ready for adventure.  Four-wheel-drive models include a shift-on-the-fly system to engage all claws in 4-High or 4-Low modes.  Hill Descent Control rappels drivers down inclines when 4H or 4LO is activated — in forward and reverse.  It can be used up to 21 mph in 4H and 15 mph in 4LO.  Hill Start Assist lets you rest on a hill, release the brake, and not roll back for up to two seconds while you move your foot from the brake to throttle.  It seems like a little thing, but is great in serious off-road conditions.  Frontier also has a few tricks for on-road travel.  Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and tire pressure monitoring keep all of the truck’s parts heading in the right direction.

Scout troops would go all-gravy over our truck’s rugged bedliner, sliding rear window, and flip-out bed extender cage.  A front tow hook and Class IV hitch pull from both ends.  Boy scouts carry a lot of gear, often in tandem-axle trailers or stuffed inside canoes.  However they roll, the Frontier is ready to go.

I always find pick-up trucks to be a warm hug.  Riding inside, I feel like nothing can hurt me.  They’re the ultimate utility tool – versatile enough to take you off-road, bathe, and pull up at the valet stand.  I prefer simple cloth interiors that will wear well over time and feel comfortable every day – like a favorite sweatshirt with Swiss Army knife utility.  However you use the Frontier, or wherever you go, the truck will become your best friend as only a brave and loyal scout could.  A price as tested of $26,580 makes the Frontier a frightening ghost story for the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Ranger.

2010 Nissan Frontier
Four-passenger, 4×4 Pickup
Powertrain:  261 hp, 4.0-litre V6, five-speed automatic transmission
Suspension f/r:  Ind/Solid axle
Wheels:  16″/16″ f/r.
Brakes:  Disc fr/rr with ABS
Must-have feature:  Function, handling
Fuel economy:  14/19 mpg city/hwy.
Assembly:  Smyrna, TN
As tested price:  $26,580

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