2009 Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier has been a solid contender in the midsize-truck segment since it was introduced over a decade ago. Not a whole lot has changed for the Frontier over the years, but then, not a lot has needed to change. The Frontier has been a strong performer on- and off-road since its introduction, and Nissan continues to offer truck buyers a good alternative if they don't need a full-size truck or a V-8.

The big news for 2009 is the all-new PRO-4X off-road trim level. It includes goodies like skid pans for the oil pan and transfer case, an electronic rear differential locker, Bilstein shocks, and special machine-finished 16-in. alloy wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires. Inside, you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (on the manual transmission models) with red stitching, as well as some chrome accents on the instrument cluster. Add the Value Truck Package to your Crew Cab with PRO-4X, and you pick up heated leather front seats with the red stitching, an eight-way power driver seat and four-way power passenger seat, heated mirrors, and a fold-down center armrest in the back seats. While Crew Cab models get the bed liner, rail caps, and tie-down system standard, the King Cab picks them up when you add the PRO-4X package. All PRO-4X trucks get body-colored grilles, bumpers, mirrors, and door handles as well as foglamps, cruise control, power everything, and remote keyless entry.

While its features have improved over the years, its looks are still hanging around the starting gate. The 2009 Frontier is easily recognizeable thanks to this, though Nissan claims to have redesigned the front fascia, even if it was done with an X-acto knife instead of a sledge hammer. If you think it looks like it's trying really hard to look like its big brother, the Titan, that's because it is. Nissan freely admits the Frontier is trying to emulate many of the Titan's styling features. Little brother does get new shoes, though. LE models pick up optional 18-in. alloys, while the SE models get new 16-in. alloys. New for 2009 are two new paint options, Red Brick and Navy Blue.

Back in the business end, things are pretty much the same. Nissan has been carrying over the same array of bed features for years now. The Crew Cab SE and LE models still come with an optional Long Bed for King Cab-size bed space. All models can get the optional utility bed with sprayed-in liner and Utili-Track cargo tie-down system, which features two channels on the rails and two in the bed where tie-down cleats can be attached. Extra options for the Utili-Track system include bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units.

Inside, it's again more of the same for the Frontier. All models have four doors, with the King Cabs sporting rear-opening clamshell doors and the Crew Cabs getting four regular doors. The King Cab has flip-up rear seats for extra storage space, and both cabs get removable storage boxes under the rear seats. Other features of note include multiple power points and 1L bottle storage in the front doors for those extra long trips. Interior options include a leather package, moonroof (Crew Cab only), iPod interface, floormats, and a portable navigation system.