Nissan's Vehicle Dynamic Control is set up to allow a little more sideslip than some electronic stability control systems. Many of these systems intervene too quickly to suit advanced drivers, but Nissan's reminds us of the system in Porsches, effectively helping the driver maintain control without feeling as if someone or something else has taken over.
The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering provides good feedback. The Frontier was stable and sure even when driven aggressively around curves.
The four-wheel disc brakes were effective (with 11.65-inch diameter rotors in front, 11.26-inch rear).
The Frontier's 4.0-liter V6 engine is the most powerful in the mid-size pickup truck class. It provides 45 more horsepower than the largest engine available in the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, 20 more horsepower (and while using regular fuel) than the V6 in the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, and 15 more horsepower than even the strongest V8 available in the 2005 Dodge Dakota. Nissan's six-speed transmissions, whether manual or automatic, allow the driver to exercise all of that power.
The Frontier XE's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generates 154 horsepower, 85 percent of the power offered by the 3.3-liter V6 used in the previous generation Frontier. Next Page