Mid-size trucks have become a popular platform within the overland realm because of their versatility, cargo space, and capability. As a matter of fact, every time I have gotten into a nicely built mid-size truck I’ve asked myself, “Why haven’t I gotten one of these?” and after enjoying two weeks in Nissan’s latest Frontier PRO-4X, that question still lingers.
On the inside, the Frontier PRO-4X is comfortable, with an intelligent, efficient layout, simple dash panel, and lumbar seating designed for long stretches on pavement. The materials don’t look cheap as has been the case with other comparably sized trucks I’ve tested. There’s plenty of room to comfortably seat four adults or even a young family of five, though space will eventually be an issue as children grow. That said, it’s the standard equipment, particularly for off-road travel, that most anyone reading this article will be particularly interested in.
The Frontier PRO-4X’s 4WD system is selectable low-range with a turn knob that’s easy to use and engage from 2WD to 4-High and 4-Low. Additionally, the factory push-button rear locker kicks in immediately and proved its worth along several sections of muddy, rutted out trail sections in the piney woods here in central Texas. I did, however, manage to get the vehicle stuck in a muddy rut though it wasn’t due to a lack of performance by the truck. I admittedly took a bad line despite suggestions from my wife to do otherwise. Maybe this is a sign I should actually listen to her more?
As for the suspension, I’d like to see a little more wheel travel from the Bilstein shocks. And the tires, BFG Rugged Trail T/A tires, are adequate but not my tire of choice unless you only plan to drive exclusively on loose scree or pavement. The automatic transmission, as featured in our test vehicle, also includes an electronic hill descent control/hill start assist that works in a manner similar to that of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon we tested earlier this year. This is a nice feature that can help even the most novice of overlanders navigate sketchy terrain and almost makes off-road driving easy enough for a caveman. Skid plates on the oil pan, fuel tank, and the 4x4 transfer case round out the package of essential equipment that merits the PRO-4X name.
Under the hood is a 4.0L V6 that puts out a very stout 261 horsepower and an impressive 281 lb-ft of torque. When compared to the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro we tested in mid-2014, the power is significantly more noticeable on pavement and off road, and is actually a bit sensitive which requires a little getting used to, especially after driving our much larger and heavier 100 Series Toyota Land Cruiser. Additionally, the 18mpg we averaged isn’t great by any means and is comparable to the aforementioned Tacoma TRD Pro which, at the time of our testing, also averaged approximately 18mpg in mixed driving.
All that being said, this is a pretty impressive truck. There’s plenty of cargo space to load up all your camp gear with four tie-down cleats and a Utili-track ® cargo-carrying system incorporated into the bed floor. For the more serious adventurers out there, placing a rack system for a roof top tent or enclosure with drawer system isn’t a problem.
So what does all this cost?
Well, the price of our test vehicle bordered $36k which is comparable to its similarly equipped mid-size peers. Depending on your needs and the size of your wallet, this might be right up your alley. Long-term, I’m curious to see how the powertrain of this truck holds up compared to that of the Tacoma, though I will say the overall look, feel, and comfort of the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X certainly make it an extremely attractive option.
Why haven’t I gotten one of these? Who knows. Maybe down the road, I will.