V-6 Gas Mileage, Performance

One of the disappointing elements of the V-6 Frontier — and one that many people in the market for a smaller truck will likely be concerned about — is its gas mileage. With an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, it gets an EPA-estimated 14/19 mpg city/highway, which is similar to what the full-size Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks achieve with V-8 power. If you're looking for better gas mileage, rear-wheel-drive Frontiers come with a standard four-cylinder engine that gets up to 19/23 mpg with a five-speed manual.

Aside from its gas mileage, I like the V-6 drivetrain. The 4.0-liter V-6 makes 261 horsepower (the most of any midsize six-cylinder pickup) and offers strong acceleration when merging on the highway or pulling away from a stoplight.

The V-6 Frontier I tested had the optional five-speed automatic (a six-speed manual is standard), and the transmission is a smooth-shifting unit. However, it likes to run in a high gear, even when cruising at midrange speeds, to keep engine rpm low and save fuel. This didn't prove detrimental to performance because the V-6 is so powerful.

    See also:

    Passenger compartment
    Passenger compartment 1. Cargo cover* 2. Coat hooks 3. Ceiling light 4. Door armrest — Power window switch — Power door lock switch 5. Sun visors 6. Moonroof* 7. Front map light ...

    Pulling a stuck vehicle
    Front Do not use the tie down hooks for towing or vehicle recovery. Front: Securely install the recovery hook 1 (stored in the luggage room) as illustrated. Make sure that the hook is proper ...

    Removing bolt-on wheel cover (if so equipped)
    Removing bolt-on wheel cover (if so equipped) Do not use your hands to pry off wheel caps or wheel covers. Doing so could result in personal injury. Wheel cover attachment to the wheel is ...