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# 2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2 - Roadblazing.com DHS Budget Pickup Truck Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-nissan-frontier-s-king-cab-4x2-roadblazing-com-dhs-budget-pickup-truck-review/
- Published: 2018-02-13T20:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T05:45:50.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Pickup Trucks

(Contributing Editor: Tomasz Paluch)

They say every 1 year in the life of a domestic canine (your average pet dog) = aging 7 human years. If valid, that ratio makes your favorite cuddly 14 year old poodle with curls 96 human years old, or a senior citizen.

Applying a similar aging ratio to the D40 series Nissan Frontier, now entering it's 14th year since a major revamp, begets about the most antediluvian of compact pickup trucks on the American scene.

Pet lovers surely won't pay "Puppy Prices" for a 14 year old Doggy in the Window. Pickup truck buyers have similarly shallow pockets for an antiquated Nissan Frontier platform. (*Expect a newer* [***D23 Navara based Frontier***](https://www.nissan.ph/vehicles/new/np300-navara.html?ref=roadblazing.com) *to enter U.S. Nissan showrooms in 2019.*)

### Now Qualifying for the **ROADBLAZING.COM** Budget PickUp List is the **2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2**:

### Answering the question,"What is the lowest priced extended cab compact pickup truck Made in U.S.A. on sale in the U.S.A. ?"

#### *Must Haves:*

**√** Low M.S.R.P:

from $19,955 for rear-drive 2.5 S King Cab trim

**√** Low transaction price:

Dealers have to be throwing money to customers to unload Frontiers well under M.S.R.P.; [Nissan is showing $2250 in cash back to customers](https://www.choosenissan.com/nissan-offers/?ref=roadblazing.com).

**√** Sufficient capacity, Versatile use of space:

Despite a tall lift-over for the segment, a revised 2nd Row split seat cushion's mechanism, now permits completely flat extended cargo floor; Don't kid yourselves: the 3rd Row is vestigial; Front buckets are lower back supportive; A low cowl improves outward view; Controls are marked clearly - most easy to reach; Door pocket storage is OK up front, more sparse in back and wanting in the center console;

![2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: features driver's and passenger's side suicide doors, w/ twin 2nd Row jump seats](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/02/2018-Nissan-Frontier-S-4x2-seats-entry-004.jpg)

2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: features driver's and passenger's side suicide doors, w/ twin 2nd Row jump seats

Dual 2nd Row flip up cushion jump seats; 2nd Row sub driver's side cushion storage bin;

3790 lbs. tow capacity, 379 lbs. bed payload. 7.6 ft. ground clearance; 6.1'-foot box; x 18" depth x 44.4" width (58.8" at tailgate), Fixed bed anchor ties.

![2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: low load liftover into 6 foot long box](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/02/2018-Nissan-Frontier-S-4x2-bed-P1230394-b.jpg)

2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: low load liftover into 6 foot long box

**√** About average fuel economy, while eschewing $$$$ hybrids or diesels powerplants:

20 miles per gallon in combined driving, acceptable 420 mile highway range

**√** \[Barely\] Adequate highway on-ramp merge acceleration

Amazingly light clutch pedal & direct throw 5-speed manual gearbox wisely is fitted with wide-spaced short gearing, minimizing shifting; Above 3500 rpm engine torque peters out into lots of thrashing.

**√** Acceptable ride/ handling

Tracks the road as true as some un-athletic passenger cars, though needing more steering inputs; If body roll onsets early, the ride is very forgiving for a pickup; Whether Nose-In or Butt-In: parking a pickup truck has never been easier.

**√** Reliability & durability:

This model has 14 years of production under its belt; Lots of uneven fitting industrial hard gray plastics were dumped in the cabin along with some felt-like seat upholstery; Steering wheel won't telescope enough and the armrest is wee-bit short; Manual door locks, crank manual windows and manual wing mirrors can't ever fail; Plenty of road noise penetrates from the cab's 2nd Row; The driver's B-pillar seat belt harness rattled in frigid weather.

**√** Low maintenance costs and good warranty

5 year / 60,000 miles powertrain, 3 year / 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranties

**√** Styling that isn't too radical

![2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: Not too fancy that you wouldn't want to take it to the great outdoors](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/02/RB-2018-Nissan-Frontier-S-king-Cab-4x2-ext-fr-P1230175-abd.jpg)

2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: Not too fancy that you wouldn't want to take it to the great outdoors

Anonymous, inoffensive third-world market look not very warmed-over for American tastes; The nose is a replica from the previous generation Pathfinder SUV, including the old corporate "V-Motion" grille bar, resembling more a letter "U" flanked by dark lattice;

Exaggerated half-moon fenders meld with the upper fascia; Contrasting dark plastic lower fascia gets a pseudo skid plate look; A slab-sided cab gets a wispy character cheat line; A thin plastic strip spoiler sits atop the tailgate appearing supported by a large dark cladding integrating insignia, release handle and camera lens.

**√** Crank windows, manual door locks, air conditioning, FM/AM 4-speaker Audio with CD/ Aux/ streaming audio

![2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: Manual wing mirrors, non-powered door locks and crank door windows each require a helping hand.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/02/RB-2018-Nissan-Frontier-S-king-Cab-4x2-cockpit-cabin-door-unlock-mirr006d.jpg)

2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: Manual wing mirrors, non-powered door locks and crank door windows each require a helping hand.

*Also standard:* Dual sun-visors without mirrors; Tilt & telescoping perforated simulated leather steering wheel w, spoke mount audio & Bluetooth controls; Cruise control; Retracting overhead eyeglass bin; Upper & lower glove boxes.

**√** Acceptable safety feature set & ratings:

6 airbags (incl. side curtains), Rear view camera w/ park guidance grid. **\-1** Sealed beam halogen headlamps aren't so great at illuminating a dark country road.

![2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: standard rear view camera w/ park grid lines](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/02/RB-2018-Nissan-Frontier-S-king-Cab-4x2-camera-rear003d.jpg)

2018 Nissan Frontier S King Cab 4x2: standard rear view camera w/ park grid lines

#### *Prefer to Have & Make Life Easier Behind the Wheel:*

**√** Bluetooth hands-free phone & audio connectivity

**√** Dial controlled infotainment audio display: 5"-inch color LCD;

**√** Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging

**√** USB x 2 ports, 12V x 3 power ports

**√** Dual front/ dual rear cup holders, door pocket bottle holders

#### *Nice To Have But Can Live Without:*

**√** NOTHING - this is as base a configuration as can be specified!

#### *Which to Skip, Which to Pick:*

It's a whopping $3600 for the 5-speed automatic; For an extra $4300 those power door lock/ window niceties & 16" wheels can be had with the SV trim; Another $4000 buys 4-wheel drive; If a crew cab is necessary, in 4x2 guise that runs $4500 more: but at least that's powered by the more potent 4.0L V6.

**Any base configuration mid-size pickup is a property management service / auto parts delivery special. Yeah it stinks that a factory spray-in bed liner isn't available on anything less than pricier V6 trims. But for $21,115 w/ destination fees, the base S trim it will get the job done.**

#### Shopping Tips:

**1)** When possible, locate an outgoing model year vehicle. They come with greater manufacturer sale and lease incentives.

**2)** Do Your Homework." Scour manufacturer websites for "Rebates", "Incentives" or "Special Offers."

**3)** Be flexible on options and colors. Be willing to consider what other consumers might readily pass on.