2019 Nissan Frontier

With a multitude of configuration options available on the Frontier, prices can vary substantially. However, the truck still manages to be quite affordable, even at higher trim levels. The 2.5-liter inline-four King Cab Frontier S has an MSRP of $19,090 while the SV starts at $23,960. But since the V6 engine is the Frontier's strongest selling point, the SV V6 will start at $27,720. The King Cab Desert Runner and Pro-4X both feature a V6 by default and go for $26,400 and $33,530, respectively. The premium trim Frontier SL is only available in the more expensive Crew Cab configuration and starts at $34,110. Adding all-wheel-drive to the popular SV V6 will raise it's base MSRP to $28,619. All these prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and incentives. Nissan adds a destination charge of $1,045.

For a truck designed to be a workhorse with off-road capabilities, the Nissan Frontier manages to achieve good daily driveability, making it suitable for work or even family use. The throttle is responsive, allowing it to maneuver well in town traffic and the suspension smooths out most road abrasions. However, the drive comfort begins to wane at higher speeds, with wind noise becoming an issue alongside the bobbing of the elevated cabin. While not unbearable, this persistent discomfort can make the Frontier unappealing for extended use when its competitors offer a much smoother and quieter ride.

Considering its weight, the Frontier handles quite well, taking corners without losing control. However, the steering can feel a little loose and unresponsive if you haven't grown accustomed to it. This may be fine for off-road driving where space isn't at a premium, but it can limit the truck's fun factor in town. The brakes are adequate at normal traveling speeds but have a poor stop time of 135 ft at 60 mph - meaning you don't want to be caught by surprise when traveling at higher speeds.

The Frontier is definitely better designed to roam the wild like the beast its engine makes it sound like. And if off-road fun is what you have in mind, the Pro-4X is your best bet. Ideally fitted with improved suspension and off-road tires, this premium trim optimizes the rugged kind of fun that the Frontier seems designed to deliver.

The Nissan Frontier is a sturdy and capable mid-size pickup. However, it has fallen behind the times due to a lack of updates while its competitors release new models or refit their current models with updated features. The optional V6 engine is the truck's saving grace, providing decent power and above-average torque, allowing the truck to feel punchy and fun despite its age. The lack of modern infotainment features or any driver-assistance features does hurt its appeal though.

It is true that, when looking at value for money, the Frontier could fool a buyer into thinking it is the best deal with a low starting price of around $20,000. But falling into this trap would be a mistake. To get performance that would actually begin to rival more modern trucks, you would have to opt for the V6 engine and higher trim levels that add improved handling features. You would ultimately end up looking at around $26,000 to start with, and for that amount, you could very easily pick up an entry-level Toyota Tacoma or even a mid-tier Chevrolet Colorado, both of which offer many of the modern amenities a discerning buyer would expect in 2019.

The Frontier is a great throwback to a time when compact pickups were all about being rugged and imposing, but it's the man out of time now, looking unnecessarily brutish compared to its more refined and powerful rivals. Nissan has had a good run, but it may be time to start looking at another manufacturer or else wait to see if the long-awaited successor to the Frontier arrives in 2020, as we all hope.

The model you choose to buy depends very much on your reason for purchasing a compact pickup. If you are looking for good work utility where hauling cargo will be a commonplace requirement, but you still want good value for money, then the Crew Cab SV with the standard V6 engine and rear-wheel-drive would be the logical choice. However, if pure fun in the mud is your goal, the Pro-4X is hands-down the best choice. The improved shocks and high-grade tires make handling rocky roads a breeze. And you get the choice of adding the Premium package if you want that extra level of comfort while enjoying getting your undercarriage dirty.

Much like the Frontier, Toyota's Tacoma comes in a plethora of configurations. It, too, offers a four-cylinder or V6 engine as well as two or four-wheel-drive. However, both the Tacoma's engine configurations offer more power than their counterparts on the Frontier. As if this weren't enough, Toyota has equipped its mid-size contender with a host of off-road-focused features to make it even more rugged than the Frontier. But don't let its rough-and-tumble attitude fool you; the Tacoma is tech-savvy too, with basic driver-assistance and safety features included as standard, and smartphone integration available at higher trims. Sadly, it suffers from similar ride comfort problems as the Frontier, but this is a small price to pay for its utility. With a slightly higher price tag of $25,850 to $42,960, the Toyota Tacoma is still a better deal than its outdated rival.

With a starting price of $21,300, the Chevy Colorado has already declared itself the rival of the Frontier as a low-cost mid-size pickup. With truly monstrous power coming from both it's in-line four (200 hp and 191 lb-ft) and V6 (308 hp and 275 lb-ft) motors, the Colorado is not to be taken lightly. This power gives Chevy's truck the power to tow up to 7,700 lbs, putting all its rivals to shame. And even with this raw power, the Colorado handles well and doesn't get choppy when put through its paces on the road. This little powerhouse might not be as spacious as some of its rivals, nor as capable in the rough, but it's pure brawn, matched with some brainy features, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, make the Chevy Colorado a clearly superior choice over the Frontier for day-to-day driving.

While not a totally new design, the 2019 Ford Ranger is new to the US market. Unlike Nissan, Ford has taken the time to work on its long-time contender in the mid-size pickup segment. Although not entirely as fresh as it may seem, since it is based on the 2015 Ranger that was sold internationally, the 2019 Ranger still features many of the modern features that the Frontier is lacking. Chief among these are key safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Add to this the fact that the Ranger incorporates convenience amenities that buyers have come to expect, such as smartphone compatibility and Wi-Fi, and it makes the Frontier seem like a fossil. Although the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine only puts out 270 hp, the Ranger still manages to surpass the Frontier's hauling capacity by 1,000 lbs. With a reasonable price tag ranging from $24,300 to $38,565, this scrappy contender is in a league above the Frontier.