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With the price of today’s new trucks, it makes sense that some buyers opt to look at the used market for their pickup purchase. If you are interested in a used mid-size truck, the Nissan Frontier might be on your radar. And that is for good reason, the Frontier is a decent truck. With so many pre-owned Frontiers available, which model is the best mix of reliability and value?

Which Nissan Frontier should you buy?

From 2005 until 2021, the Nissan Frontier went largely unchanged. While on the global market, Nissan made major updates to its mid-size truck, those updates did not make their way to the States. Because the second-generation Frontier was on sale for nearly 20 years, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

According to VehicleHistory, both the 2013 and 2014 Nissan Frontier mark some of the best years of this mid-size truck. And because of that, you should probably look to those specific models if you are interested in buying used. 

What is the Nissan Frontier D40?

The D40 is the Frontier that went on sale starting in 2005. It offered a four-cylinder engine and an optional V6. Because of that, you will have you will be able to get the proper amount of power for your specific needs. Additionally, this mid-size pickup could be had with four-wheel drive. And that will give you a truck that is ready for the road less traveled. 

An older Nissan Frontier with a white paint job sits parked on the street.
Nissan Frontier | IFCAR

In 2022, the Frontier finally entered its third generation. And that marked some serious changes for this mid-size truck. The Nissan Frontier now has a standard V6 engine and a revised interior. But, it does still offer that old-school truck charm. 

Should you buy a used Frontier?

Pre-owned Nissan Frontiers do offer a solid mix of value and reliability. If you can find a model that has been taken care of and you avoid certain years, you will be getting a truck that is worth buying. 

The Frontier has long been offered in a variety of trim levels. And that includes the iconic PRO-4X model which is ideal for off-roading. One of the more popular trims is the SV. The Nissan Frontier SV is better equipped than the base model, but is not as expensive as something like the PRO-4X. You can still get it with the V6 and 4WD. 

Can the Nissan Frontier overland?

Many truck buyers are interested in overlanding. Overlanding is essentially the process of getting to a remote location, usually using something like a truck or SUV. The Frontier does have a thriving aftermarket community. And that means you can likely find various accessories to help with the overland process. 

A yellow Nissan Frontier sits on a beach as a used truck.
Nissan Frontier | IFCAR

From things like rooftop tents to the ability to haul equipment, a used Frontier is a good starting point for your next overland build. Nissan’s mid-size truck is also ideal for off-roading. Especially if you get one equipped with 4WD and the available manual transmission. You do not have to buy a new truck in order to get the enjoyment of taking the road less traveled.

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