2018 Nissan Frontier Review: Reliable Compact Truck With Low Ownership Costs

The 2018 Nissan Frontier lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor throttle body and brake wear issues reported. At $17,650 to $33,300, it’s cheaper than many other small trucks, making it a good value for shoppers on a budget.

Is the 2018 Nissan Frontier a Good Used Truck?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Nissan Frontier, although it’s not as up-to-date as many other small trucks on the market. Owner reviews praise the responsive handling, ease of parking, along with the decent passenger room.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are durable for a truck, the seats are supportive on longer drives, cargo space is also decent from both of the bed choices.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no major mechanical problems reported on the 2018 Frontier. Models from 2012 have engine issues while 2013–2021 are much more reliable.
• Performance 7/10 – The four-cylinder and V6 engine choices are reasonably powerful, although it’s not as strong as some competitors.
• Safety 6/10 – The 2018 Frontier is not as safe as competitors only earning 3 stars in government crash tests, and comes standard with a rearview camera.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 21 MPG, giving 443 miles of range from the 21.1 gallon tank. Gas costs are $19 cheaper than average, at $226 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2018 Nissan Frontier is cheaper than most other small trucks on the market with decent reliability ratings, making it a good overall value.

What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Frontier?

• Consumer Reports says the 2018 Nissan Frontier is a nimble truck with a strong engine, which also gets high owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Frontier at 4.6/5, enjoying the smooth suspension for a truck, but doesn’t like the cheap interior.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the 2018 Frontier a 4.4/5, praising the comfortable cabin at highway speeds, but owners don’t like the poor off-road performance.

What Common Problems Does the 2018 Nissan Frontier Have?

Common problems found on the 2018 Nissan Frontier include delayed response from the gas pedal, premature brake wear, along with peeling paint. Overall, these problems are similar to other small trucks on the market, leading to average repair bills as the Frontier ages.

Delayed response from the gas pedal is the most widespread complaint on the 2018 Nissan Frontier, showing up at around 20,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a damaged throttle body which reduces the air-to fuel ratio. Replacing the throttle body fixes the problem, costing around $450.

Premature brake wear is another problem found on the 2018 Frontier, showing up at roughly 15,000 miles. If you use your truck to tow a trailer or haul a lot of weight in the bed, then the front brakes tend to wear down quickly. Replacing the front brake pads costs around $200, while new rotors are about $350. There are some aftermarket brake pads as well, which cost around $300 and last longer.

Peeling paint has also been reported by some Frontier owners at roughly 50,000 miles. Paint left in direct sunlight with no UV protection will start to wear down over time, and eventually peel. This is most common on the hood, floor of the bed, and roof. The only way to fix peeling paint is by repainting it at a cost of around $1,000 per panel.

There are two recalls on the 2018 Nissan Frontier, which is better than other trucks from the same year. The first recall is for the ignition switch, which may turn off, Nissan will replace the switch on affected models for free. The second recall covers the rearview camera, which Nissan will update the software on.

How Long Will the 2018 Nissan Frontier Last?

A well-maintained 2018 Nissan Frontier can last around 250,000 miles, which is slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Tacoma. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other small trucks, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $351 per year.

As a used 2018 Frontier reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the spark plugs for $250, the oil pan gasket costing $300, along with the steering center link which costs $450.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is decent for a truck, offering a standard 5-inch central display with Siri Eyes Free controls. Optional upgrades include a 5.8-inch touchscreen with navigation, along with a premium Rockford Fosgate stereo system.

Standard safety technology is very basic, only offering a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include rear parking sensors.

Is the 2018 Nissan Frontier a Good Value?

Yes, the 2018 Nissan Frontier is a decent value since it has good reliability ratings while also having a lower purchase price than many other small trucks. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,650 to $33,300, making it less than a Honda Ridgeline or GMC Canyon. When new, the price range was $18,990 to $36,800. Depreciation is better than average, only losing around 4% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Nissan Frontier?

There are five main models of the Nissan Frontier offered including the entry-level Frontier S, off-road focused Frontier Pro-4X, along with the flagship SL. The frontier comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.

S is the entry-level model with:

• Two-wheel drive, extended cab
• 5-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission
• 15-inch steel wheels
• Rear privacy glass
• Cloth front bucket seats, air conditioning, cruise control
• Bluetooth, a backup camera, a 5-inch central display
• Siri Eyes Free voice command
• Four-speaker sound system with a CD player, USB input and auxiliary audio jack
• Optional Work Truck package: spray-in bedliner, bed rail caps, splash guards, rubber floor mats

SV offers more items including:

• Builds on S trim features
• 16-inch alloy wheels, power accessories (windows, door locks), sliding rear window, satellite radio
• Optional Value Truck package: fog lights, rear parking sensors, sliding bed extender, spray-in bedliner, adjustable cargo tie-downs, Class IV trailer hitch, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, two extra speakers on extended cabs
• Available sunroof on the crew cab
• Optional Midnight Edition package (only for crew cab): blacked-out 18-inch wheels, side steps, body-colored bumpers, side mirror housings

Desert Runner is a step up, adding:

• Rear-wheel-drive, V6 only
• Available in either cab configuration
• Builds on base SV equipment with special styling details, fog lights, high-performance shock absorbers, off-road tires
• Does not include SV Value package equipment

Pro-4X focuses on off-road performance with:

• Four-wheel-drive only
• Off-road tires, specially tuned shocks, locking rear differential, skid plates
• Automatic headlights, 5.8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, voice control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel, first-aid kit
• Includes everything in SV Value Truck package except the trailer hitch and bed extender (optional)
• Crew cabs also get a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system
• Optional Pro-4X Premium package (only for automatic-equipped crew cabs): sunroof, roof rack with crossbars, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, rear-seat center armrest

SL is the flagship model with:

• Available only as a crew cab with an automatic transmission
• Includes most items from the Pro-4X Premium package
• Additional standard features: 18-inch alloy wheels, side steps
• Sunroof is standard for long-bed SLs and optional for short-bed SLs
• Trailer hitch and bed extender are optional

What Engines Come In the Nissan Frontier?

• The 2018 Nissan Frontier comes with a standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft of torque at up to 21 MPG. This engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission while a five-speed automatic is optional. Its towing capacity is up to 3,800 pounds. The 0-60 mph time for this engine is around 9.5 seconds.
• The Frontier also offers a more powerful 4.0L V6 engine that generates 261 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft of torque at up to 18 MPG. This engine comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission. The V6 Frontier can tow up to 6,710 pounds, and has a 0-60 time of around 7.3 seconds.

What Colors Does the Nissan Frontier Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Nissan Frontier?

The 2018 Nissan Frontier is known for its straightforward comfort and utility. The vehicle’s seating, depending on the model, can accommodate four to five passengers. In the King Cab models, seating is ample in the front, but the rear jump seats are more suited for occasional use or short trips due to limited legroom. On the other hand, the four door Crew Cab models offer a full-size rear seat that can comfortably accommodate adults, even on longer journeys, making it a suitable choice for families or those usually carrying passengers.

The seats themselves are designed for comfort, with optional leather upholstery and power-adjustable heated front seats in the upper trims. The driving position is commanding and provides good visibility of the road ahead. The ride quality is typically smooth for a pickup truck, and while it can be firm when the truck bed is empty, it’s seldom uncomfortable.

Interior noise is relatively well-controlled, making the cabin a quiet place during highway drives. The optional dual-zone climate control and auto-dimming rearview mirror also add to the vehicle’s comfort level.

How Much Storage Space Does the Nissan Frontier Have?

The 2018 Nissan Frontier is a versatile pick-up truck designed to accommodate both people and cargo. The bed length varies depending on the specific model, with the King Cab offering a 73.3-inch bed, while the Crew Cab comes with either a 59.5-inch bed or an optional 73.3-inch bed. These lengths allow it to carry a range of items, from standard 4×8 foot sheets of plywood to bikes, camping gear, or even small furniture items.

In terms of in-cabin storage, the Frontier boasts a roomy interior with several compartments to store items. Both the King Cab and Crew Cab models feature under-seat storage bins and a dual-level glove compartment, perfect for stowing items like tools, maps, or small personal items. The rear of the Crew Cab model additionally offers a 60/40 split flip-up rear bench seat, which increases the cargo area when needed, useful for larger items such as suitcases or shopping bags.

Finally, the truck bed itself can also be outfitted with Nissan’s optional Utili-track Channel System. This innovative system features five bed-mounted rails and four movable cleats, allowing owners to secure and organize their cargo in various configurations. From outdoor gear to work equipment, the 2018 Nissan Frontier is designed to adapt to your cargo needs and make sure items are stored securely and efficiently.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The second generation of the Nissan Frontier was launched for the 2005 model year.

2015: SV and Desert Runner models have a new 5-inch display with Nissan Connect apps.

2016: New color choices, along with a sunroof added to the SV model.

2017: The S Work Truck package comes with a spray-in bedliner and rubber floor mats.

2018: Standard rearview camera on all models, A/C and cruise control also standard on the S model.

2019: Upgraded larger 7-inch touchscreen on the S and SV models.

2020: Brand-new 3.8L V6 engine added, center console has been fully redesigned.

2021: No changes from earlier years.

How Does the Nissan Frontier Compare to the Competition?

The 2018 Nissan Frontier is a great compact truck, offering an old-school driving experience with some reliable engines, making it a good choice for shoppers.

The Toyota Tacoma is another small truck which costs about $4,500 more. Off-road performance is better in the Toyota Tacoma, while the Nissan Frontier has more passenger room in the rear seats. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since it’s the most reliable compact truck on the market, but both are worth a test drive to see which you prefer.

The Chevrolet Colorado is another competitor available for about $1,500 more. Towing performance is better with the Chevy Colorado, while the Nissan Frontier has lower maintenance costs as it ages. We recommend the Nissan Frontier since it’s a simpler truck overall with fewer issues reported.

Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Frontier?