ShareThisAt the height of their powers, pickup trucks were instruments of intimidation, casting enormous shadows on the neighbors' lawns and dwarfing lesser forms of transportation.
To help crush the competition, Ford hired the mountainous musician Toby Keith to promote its full-size F-Series and terrify anyone who might be driving around in a subcompact listening to the Dixie Chicks.
Nissan joined the massive class in 2004 with its ominous new Titan full-size pickup that shared a platform with the belligerent Armada SUV.
Anyone driving a smaller pickup like the frolicsome Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma or Dodge Dakota was cruising for an ego bruising.
Then, America got a dose of humility in the form of $147-a-barrel oil followed by worldwide economic collapse. Suddenly, a light-duty pickup with a 4-cylinder engine didn't look so pathetic.
Remember when Nissan suffered broadsides for coming to market with a 4-cylinder Frontier in 1998? All the wise men of the media knew that 6 cylinders was the price of entry. Heck, the Dakota even offered a V8 in the "small" truck category!
Nowadays, Nissan offers a respectably beefy 261 horsepower V6 in the Frontier. But for people who want to travel farther on a gallon of gas, the 2.5-liter, 152-horsepower inline 4 looks pretty sensible for the weekend warrior.
And for drivers who might dare to have fun in these serious times, Nissan is offering a really sporty version of the Frontier known as the Pro-4X. When I saw the Pro-4X in my driveway, I hearkened to Marty McFly's discovery of a Toyota 4x4 in his garage in "Back to the Future."
The Frontier Pro-4X is that kind of pickup, just rearing for a romp across a muddy meadow, a rocky ridge or a sandy shore.
As a true off-roader, the Pro-4X suspension is bolstered by Bilstein high-pressure shock absorbers, additional skid plates on the oil pan and transfer case, an electronic rear differential locker, 2- or 4-wheel limited-slip differentials and machine-finished 16-inch aluminum-alloy off-road wheels with large BFGoodrich P265/75R16 Rugged Trail tires.
The interior of the Pro-4X is distinguished by leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome accent ring around the white-faced meter gauges and trip computer. The Pro-4X Value Truck option adds black leather-appointed front seats with red stitching, eight-way power driver's seat, four-way power passenger's seat, heated front seats, dual heated outside mirrors and rear fold-down center armrest.
A spray-on bedliner applied at the Smyrna, Tenn., assembly line comes with bed rail caps, a Utili-track channel system, four adjustable tie-down cleats and a detachable tailgate. The special trim includes body-colored grille and bumpers, outside mirrors and door handles and fog lamps. The $28,980 base price also includes cruise control, remote keyless entry power windows and door locks, dual power outside mirrors.
Underneath it all is the Frontier pickup that can hold its own against the best-selling Toyota Tacoma, both of which are built in the U.S.
Prices for the 2010 Nissan Frontier start at $17,540 for the Frontier XE King Cab 4x2 with the 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission and $22,290 for the Frontier SE Crew Cab V6 4x2 with stick.
There are 13 Frontier King Cab and 14 Frontier Crew Cab variants. The trim levels are XE, SE, LE and PRO-4X.
For 2010, Nissan updated the Frontier with standard side and curtain air bags on all models and standard Vehicle Dynamic Control on all V6-equipped models. Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control were made standard on all SE and LE 4WD automatic transmission-equipped models, and 2-wheel or 4-wheel Active Brake Limited Slip were added as standard for all SE and LE V6 models. A new exterior color, Night Armor, is joins the Frontier palette.
The Pro-4X joined the Frontier fleet as a 2009 model, as the other trim levels gained a new grille and headlight design and new 16-inch and 18-inch wheels.
Both King Cab and Crew Cab model come with large rear doors that open wide for easy access to the rear seating and cargo areas. King Cab features flip-up rear seats. Removable storage boxes fit beneath the rear seats, while the front passenger seat folds flat for added cargo capacity. A dual glove box with lock, damper and lamp, center console storage, one-liter bottle storage built into the front doors, four cup holders and two power points are standard. Leather upholstery and power moon roof are optional.
WHAT'S NEW: More standard safety features, hill start/descent control standard, new color.
PLUSES: Versatility, comfort, overall value.
MINUSES: Fuel economy in 4x4.
BOTTOM LINE: 4x4 fun in the new Frontier.
(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)
AUTOS TODAY
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