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Budd Stanley photos
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Budd Stanley photos
2014 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
The design might be ten years old, but I still think it’s the sharpest of the breed.
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Nissan Wieck
2014 Nissan Frontier
The 4.0L V-6 provides lots of grunt, but still has the fuel sucking abilities of a 90’s pickup.
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Budd Stanley photos
2014 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
A roof rack makes use of every possible cargo carrying possibility, although the PRO-4X does suffer from weak ground clearance numbers.
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Nissan Wieck
Nissan Frontier
It may have those 1990’s stipples, but the build quality of the Frontier was phenomenal.
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Budd Stanley photos
2014 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
While the PRO-4X is a quality off-roader, I’d like to see Nissan build an even more aggressive special edition, perhaps a Nismo.
Review and photos by Budd Stanley
I don’t need to tell you the massive advancements that have been made in the efficiency of modern trucks. The problem has been that the full-size trucks have received and benefitted from all the attention, while the midsized trucks have either languished without development for years, or died off altogether. The Frontier is just one such vehicle that has not had any proper development for nearly a decade. So why is it that I was so excited to be getting back into the now archaic Frontier?
Why? Because this particular vehicle is the PRO-4X, Nissans off-road inspired trim level that is that you really can take off the beaten track. The PRO-4X line outfits the standard Frontier 4x4 nicely for off-road duties with a long list of upgrades. Bilstein shocks, an electronic locking rear differential, skid plates (oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case), P265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A OWL tires, 16-in. aluminum-alloy off-road wheels, digital compass and outside temperature display round out the usable off-road equipment. Nissan’s High Utility Bed, fog lights and the addition of a roof rack give the PRO-4X an extra level of utility.
I gave the Frontier a good evaluation of all the facets one would expect in a 4WD truck. Over the long haul, with an empty box, the Frontier was quite at home on tarmac unlike most off-road focused trucks, although it did leave me with a hefty fuel bill. Nissan publish a “not so bad” 10.4L/100km rating on the highway, real world testing yielded a not so efficient 14.2L/100km. Hauling a payload of 450 kg (467 kg capacity), the Frontier performed admirably with little notice of the extra weight in the box, climbing hills with ease and recording a minimal increase in fuel consumption of 0.8L/100km. The old 4.0L V-6 still has lots of power on tap for anything you might want to throw at the Frontier, albeit with the rather archaic efficiency.
While freshly redesigned full-sized trucks are posting much better numbers, the engine itself is now eight-years old and lacks the benefits of modern technology to bring it up to compete with the likes of much larger trucks. At the time of testing, I knew that Nissan were working on a 2.8L diesel with Cummins and thought it would be foolish of them not to offer that powertrain in the Frontier. Low and behold, only a day before writing, that’s exactly what Nissan did, announcing the Diesel Runner Project. Nissan claim this is just a concept, but I wouldn’t doubt we see an oil-burning Frontier in the very near future.
However, this truck is for getting out into the wild, and I did just that. With snow beginning to cover the mountains during my time in the Frontier, I thought I would see if some of the mountain trails were clear enough to reach some summits on Canada’s “wet” coast. The Frontier tackled deep muddy ruts around the mountains base, wet ice part way up, finally finding the snow pack that was just too deep to reach the summit. The snow was only a few feet deep, and with enough time, I could have pushed my way through, but time was a factor. Experiencing all manner of conditions, the nice and meaty BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A’s proved their quality even crawling up jagged rocky washouts with ease. Mind you, taking off the mud flaps first would be highly recommended and the obvious breakover issues of a four-door long wheel base truck does impede the Frontier’s abilities.
When you look at the numbers, on paper the PRO-4X doesn’t stack up well as other off-road based machinery. Clearance, as well as approach, departure and breakover angles are all a bit weak when considering an FJ Cruiser or Wrangler, yet I was still able to get through any moderate challenge and the truck motivated me to push farther. For the casual off-roader, the PRO-4X is quite suitable, for those who want to find deeper reaches of the wilderness, a PRO-4X King Cab with its shorter wheelbase, equipped with a slight lift and larger, more aggressive tires should prove ideal. With the simple addition of a utility rack and roof top tent, the Frontier is expedition ready with a minimal number of modifications.
However, the biggest surprise came with the build quality. There is something to be said about the sound of a door closing, and to my amazement, all four doors on this off-roader closed with the finesse of an Infiniti. Likewise, while cheaper materials are used in the interior, it still provided the same solid feel and quality build.
Not all was well with the PRO-4X. For instance, as a dedicated off-road trim level, you would think Nissan would give it a rather hardy paint job to deal with the obvious foliage rash. While I loved the colour combination of this truck, the durability of the paint was just ridiculous as even lightly brushing up against leaves left paint damage. You also won’t want to go on any long distance runs without rest stops. While the PRO-4X gets nicely wrapped leather seats, they are overly firm, and become uncomfortable over a long period behind the wheel.
Then there is the early 90’s look of the graphics plastered on the bed. Hey Nissan, Tony Hawk 2 called, they want their fonts back. Keeping with the dated looks, the little dimples formed into select trim panels do reek of designs long since past. Trim aside; I have to say that the overall design of the Frontier has aged extremely well. Despite entering its tenth year without any real redesign, I still think the Frontier is the best looking truck on the market.
I had been looking forward to my time in the Frontier, and my expectations were met. Certain disappointments like fuel efficiency were expected, however, the level of refinement really caught me off guard. But it was the adventurous attitude that the PRO-4X exudes, seemingly calling me to out to play, to go and find a new way to get to the top of a mountain, to see what is waiting at the end of an unknown trail. The old Frontier is still getting the job done, a big reason why it has survived the last five years. With Cummins power in the Frontiers not so distant future, things are only looking brighter. They need to be, as the Colorado and Canyon are coming back and will also be armed with diesels. Yes, the mid-sized truck is finally getting the respect it deserves, but until the new boys get their day in the sun, the old Frontier still owns my heart.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- MSRP: $35,148
- Price as tested: $38,308
- Engine: 4.0L V-6
- Power: 261 hp, 281 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
- Curb Weight kg (lb): 2,067 (4,557)
- Wheelbase mm (in): 3,198 (126)
- Ground Clearance mm (in): 226 (8.9) (Off-Road Height)
- Approach Angle Deg: 32.6
- Departure Angle Deg: 23.3
- Ramp Breakover Angle: 20.5
- Wading Depth mm (in): NA
- Tow Capacity kg (lb): 2,858 (6,300)
- Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): City: 14.8, Hwy: 10.4,