PickupTrucks.com's view

One look at our current state of affairs – volatile gas prices, a manic-depressive stock market, layoffs for everyone from the white-collared to those who steam and press those white collars – and the reasons behind the shift toward small, more efficient vehicles becomes painfully evident. For its part, the truck market has reacted with new models, including the 22 mpg Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and the 21 mpg Ford F-150 SFE.

Those efficiency solutions, however, are often accompanied by lofty sticker prices, essentially offsetting any gains enjoyed at the pump. Which leaves one seemingly forgotten alternative: four-cylinder small/midsize pickups.

We wanted to discover for ourselves what life is like with one of these relatively diminutive rides, so we tested a 2009 Nissan Frontier 4×2 King Cab XE featuring luxuries such as air conditioning, a CD player, floormats and little else. With manual locks and windows, plain-Jane 15-inch steel wheels and a five-speed manual transmission, this Frontier was all about back to basics. In return for such sacrifices, the price on the window registered just over $20,000.

Powertrain Performance

Fitted under the hood of our Frontier was a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine good for 152 horses at 5,200 rpm and 171 pounds-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The EPA estimates it gets up to 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Indeed, after traveling several hundred miles we recorded an average of 20.9 mpg.

Our testing included a good bit of city driving, where we were least impressed by Nissan’s most efficient pickup. Off-the-line power was seriously lacking, the engine ponied up an unrefined note when run to redline, and the manual transmission’s gates were imprecise. None of these points were terribly surprising, unlike what we discovered on the highway. That’s where the four-cylinder Frontier shined, serving as a competent cruiser at 70-90 mph. Admittedly, passing required some foresight and almost certainly a drop to 4th gear, but the response was there when it was needed.

Reactions would surely be different if the half-ton payload or 3,500-pound towing capacity were maxed out. To evaluate a freighted Frontier, we loaded the bed with a 400-cc Honda ATV and headed up and over Southern California’s I-5 Grapevine to test our truck’s work ethic. Again, those 152 horses left us wanting, as the four-cylinder engine quickly lost steam on the steady uphill climbs and we found ourselves downshifting aplenty while being passed left and right…literally. Thankfully, clutch effort was light.

Ride & Handling

If our 2009 Frontier’s powertrain was less than stellar, the truck’s driving character was only marginally better. An engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system required little effort while slowly navigating parking lots and city streets, dialing in extra heft for a more secure feel at highway speeds. The technology worked, though communication from the General all-season tires was missing, unless you count loud squeals when rounding corners at a moderate pace. For their part, the brakes were responsive and effective; after a long downhill run during our trip over the Grapevine, the well-used discs remained free of fade and vibration.

Out on California’s rough freeways, the unladed Frontier’s independent front and multi-leaf rear suspension performed quite well. The ride was relatively smooth over expansion joints, meaning driver and passengers traveled without the constant bucking offered up by more-stiffly sprung trucks. With the ATV and associated gear packed into the bed, the drive smoothed out even more, though body roll became a noticeable issue.

Comfort & Convenience

Most $20,000 trucks are about bare-bones utility, with comfort and convenience features little more than a pipe dream. On the surface, our Frontier XE test truck appeared to fall into that category, but it did have a few highlights. The front bucket seats, though firm, were wide and supportive during long drives. The door armrests lacked sufficient padding, as did the window sills. We would’ve enjoyed the benefits of a tilt steering wheel, but that feature wasn’t included on our basic pickup. The Frontier King Cab’s forward-facing, fold-down rear jump seats are usable in worst-case scenarios, when you’re talking about short distances with kids or transporting a shorter adult who would have otherwise died of hypothermia on the side of the road.

In the absence of those rare instances, the jump seats are best left folded up to increase the cab’s cargo space. The rear doors, like the front, open wide for easy cabin access and feature large built-in cubbies. Other storage provisions include dual glove boxes and a few slots above and below the dash.

In true truck fashion, the Frontier’s primary controls were simple and easy to use. The radio operates via legible buttons and sizeable knobs, and the climate-control system consisted of three large dials that were easily manipulated with gloved hands. You might not find luxurious features in this truck, but navigating your way around the interior involves an extremely short learning curve.

Summary

After a week of driving and hours of seat time in the four-cylinder 2009 Nissan Frontier, it’s clear that the small-engine approach to improved fuel economy in trucks does include its share of shortcomings; the engine felt underpowered at times, and the truck’s towing capabilities are more akin to a midsize SUV than a hard-working pickup. Still, we didn’t pull any punches and recorded more than 20 mpg. You’re not likely to write grandma about that, but it is efficiency you’d be hard-pressed to get from most any full-size truck. For buyers who need a half-ton payload and are content with this truck’s inherent shortcomings, the comfortable, affordable and fairly efficient four-cylinder Frontier is one to consider.

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Frontier 2WD King Cab XE

Price as Tested: $20,280 (including $745 destination charge, $990 XE Preferred Package, $105 Floor Mats, $430 Under Rail Bedliner, $550 Side and Curtain Airbag Package) Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder

Horsepower: 152 at 5,200 rpm

Torque: 171 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

EPA Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway

PickupTrucks.com’s Fuel Economy: 20.9 mpg

Ground Clearance: 7.6 in.

Payload Capacity: 1,002 lbs.

Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs.

Also Consider: Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Mazda B-Series, Toyota Tacoma