2007 Nissan Frontier: The Beach Bum!

By Daniel Souza

The Nissan Frontier was all-new in 2005 when it was completely redesigned. For 2007 it would be safe to call it half all-new, taking into consideration that the model Nissan loaned me featured a new, optional long bed to the Frontier, with a bed that is 13 inches longer than the traditional Crew Cab.

Not much more made into debut for Nissan’s 07 midsize pickup truck. For a truck that shares a number of features with the Titan, the Frontier showed to be a comfortable and dependable ride. The Frontier’s sturdy foundation is based on Titan's F-Alpha platform. The ‘07 Frontier's wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than the previous generation’s, which enhanced ride comfort and stability, though it remains a good "activity size" for buyers who don't need a true full-size pickup. Unfortunately the Frontier performed under its promised city 17 mpg and hovered around 14.6 mpg with its six-cylinder engine.

The Frontier houses the 4.0-liter DOHC V6 powerplant which is based on the award-winning Nissan VQ engine series used in the 350Z, Maxima, Altima, Murano and Quest. The 4.0-liter V6 design includes a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS), Nissan variable induction control system (NICS), silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, Teflon®-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, forged crankshaft, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads and 105,000-mile spark plugs. The Frontier V6 is assembled at Nissan's engine production facility in Decherd, Tenn.

But it was more than 2,000 miles away from its manufacturing plant that the Frontier would be tested to its limits. I had remembered a fellow colleague telling me that the Frontier was the vehicle of choice in Huntington Beach’s lifeguard fleet. After some research on the web, I discovered that the city of Huntington Beach indeed used the 4x4 Nissan midsize truck on their fleet. So I called up a travel buddy, made arrangements to stay with another friend and set west to California.

My test drive came equipped with a six gear manual tranny, where the sixth gear had a ratio of 0.769, making it an overdrive gear rarely used for most in-city driving, but it proved practical as I cruised down I-15. The Frontier yielded a mere 19 mpg for highway driving.

As we arrived in Huntington Beach, marine safety lieutenant Michael Beuerlein comprised our welcoming committee. But before I could start firing the questions away, Beuerlein assigned us the driver of one of their Frontiers, marine safety officer John Elser. The 11-year veteran explained the trucks have proven to be both reliable and user-friendly:

Souza- What types of activities do you do with the Frontier?

Elser- We use it mostly to patrol the beach. We also use it to launch a personal watercraft (PWC) into the ocean.

Souza- How far into to the water do you usually go with the truck?

Elser- I back it up into the water until it’s about six or eight inches into the ocean. Then I slam on the breaks and the PWC launches in the water. It all takes less than a minute.

Souza- So in you put the truck through a grueling daily routine it sounds like.

Elser- Yes. Our driving breakdown is 85% sand, 5% asphalt and 10% normal highway use. We also keep our tire pressure at about 20 psi.

Souza-Why do you do that?

Elser- By reducing psi it gives more surface area and better grip.

Souza- Have you had any heroic moments with the Frontier?

Elser- Yes. We have pulled the police Tahoes out of the sand before.

But the trucks aren’t indestructible. Elser explains that the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Division requires the trucks to go through a daily fresh water rinse down ritual. Their fleet totals 11 vehicles with eight Frontiers, two Titans and one Armada.

As I gathered my notes to finish the story in California, I found one thing to be wrong: it went by too fast and before I knew it was time to return to real life.

Base price - $16,050

Price as tested - $27,200

Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com