2005 Truck of the Year Testing

Nissan Frontier
Following in the glory of the full-size Titan last year, the all-new, third-generation midsize Frontier has its sights set on one rival, Toyota's Tacoma. Forget such alternative as the GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, or the larger, new Dodge Dakota--it's the formidable Tacoma that's wearing a bull's-eye. And the Nissan's quiver is chock-full of arrows with its target's name on them.

For starters, the Frontier is optionally powered by the strongest V-6 in any truck, a 265-horse churner that betters the best Toyota's output by eight percent. And its fully boxed frame (unlike the Tacoma's) suggests there's more than just toughness under the hood. There are plenty of practical details, too, including options like a spray-on bedliner (to avoid hidden rust) and movable tie-down points (first seen on the Titan) to optimally secure any bed cargo.

However, the Frontier represents a decidedly more narrowly focused range of trucks. For instance, unlike the Tacoma, the Frontier has eschewed the fringes of the market; forget ever checking a box labeled regular cab (there are only Crew Cab and King Cab configurations) or a long-bed coupled to a Crew Cab.

While the Frontier is obviously the Titan's little brother in offering a power advantage relative to its V-6 competitors, it also inherited the big Nissan's too-menacing-by-half twin-incisor smile and rather plasticky and visually drab interior. Questions of taste, perhaps, but areas that raised eyebrows--and reservations.