2001 NISSAN FRONTIER

Overview Photos Specs Reviews Bulletins Recalls

2001 Nissan Frontier Lineup Includes Innovative New Styling and Supercharged V6

The popular Nissan Frontier offers a fusion of advanced technology and design for 2001 with dramatic new exterior styling, sporty interior upgrades and the addition of the first available factory-installed supercharged V6 in the compact truck class. The new Frontier line went on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in early August, while supercharged-equipped models go on sale later in November.

The 2001 Frontier is now available in a choice of 14 different models, including Regular Cab, King Cab, Frontier Crew Cab and Desert Runner, 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations and XE, SE and new SC (supercharged) trim levels.

The Frontier's provocative new exterior, created at Nissan Design International, Inc., in La Jolla, Calif., offers a simple, tough, "modern industrial" look with a powerful front grille and bumper, tall hoodline, oversized headlights and large fender flares featuring visible divot holes and rivet-type caps. Additional enhancements include new fog lamps (based on the 2000 Maxima lamps), new tailgate and standard tailgate lock.

"The Frontier's bold new look commands attention. It has altered the truck's character significantly," said Bill Kirrane, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "Nissan trucks have one of the strongest histories of innovation in the industry. With the improvement in power, comfort and leading-edge design for 2001, Frontier returns to its rightful position as a leader in the compact truck segment."

Among Nissan's truck firsts are: first compact pickup in America (1959), first half-ton compact pickup (1969), first long bed compact pickup (1975), first King Cab body (1977), first import-brand compact truck manufactured in America (1983), first compact truck with four full-size forward-hinged doors (1999) and for 2001, the first factory-installed supercharger in a compact truck.

"Along with the supercharger, we're adding other factory features usually reserved for aftermarket suppliers - including available high-output sound systems, leather-appointed seating, large wheels and tires, bed extenders, roof racks and the like," added Kirrane.

The interior of the 2001 Frontier features a new instrument cluster with reversible gauges, new seat fabric, new steering wheel and enlarged knobs and switches. Cruise control switches are now located on the steering wheel and a new lineup of aftermarket-style audio systems, including an available in-dash 6-disc CD changer, has been added. Optional factory-installed leather-appointed seating is available on supercharged models and SE Frontier Crew Cab and SC cloth and optional leather-appointed seats feature sports car-inspired red-on-charcoal stitching.

Along with Regular Cab and King Cab models, the 2001 Frontier line continues to offer Frontier Crew Cab and Desert Runner models. Introduced as a 2000 model, the Frontier Crew Cab features innovative looks and innovative uses - with seating for five adults and the versatility of an open bed. It is available in 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive. The 4x2 Desert Runner is a V6 King Cab compact truck that features the same heavy duty chassis, ride height and stance as the rugged Frontier 4x4 V6.

In addition to a choice of a 143-horsepower 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder and 170-horsepower 3.3-liter SOHC V6, a new factory-installed supercharged version of the 3.3-liter V6 is offered in select 4x2 and 4x4 SC models. The supercharged engine produces 210 horsepower and 246 (A/T), 231 (M/T) ft-lbs of torque. It uses a Roots-type blower developed in conjunction with Eaton Corporation and is fully warranted by Nissan.

Frontier XE Regular Cab 4x2

The 2001 Frontier model lineup begins with the XE Regular Cab 4x2 model. It offers the most powerful standard 4-cylinder engine in class - a 143-horsepower DOHC 16-valve engine with an electronic multi-point fuel injection system, along with rear-wheel drive and a 5-speed manual transmission.

An independent double wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and rear rigid axle with multi-leaf springs provides car-like handling and ride, while the power-assisted front vented disc/rear drum brake system with standard rear anti-lock brakes offers secure braking control.

Other standard equipment includes 15-inch styled steel wheels with Bright Silver Sparkle paint, 225/70R15 all-season steel-belted tires, rear step bumper, woven cloth bench seat, LCD odometer with two trip meters, tinted glass, full carpeting, cupholder, power-assisted steering, dual outside mirrors and 3,500-pound towing capacity (manual transmission).

Standard safety equipment includes front dual supplemental air bags with an air bag shut-off switch, front crumple zone, energy-absorbing steering column, hood buckling creases, pipe-style steel side-door guard beams and a 3-point ALR/ELR seat belt system with seat belt pretensioners. Regular Cab XE 4x2 is available with automatic transmission, air conditioning, Popular Package, Body Color Package and Value Truck Package

Frontier XE King Cab 4x2

The popular King Cab comes standard with a 60/40 split bench seat and carries all of the added equipment found on XE Regular Cab, along with additional seating for two passengers in the fold-down rear jump seats. Frontier XE King Cab 4x2 is available with a choice of 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

To offer customers an easy way to order the Frontier they want, a number of value-oriented packages are available on the XE King Cab 4x2 model. Among the choices are automatic transmission, Popular Package, Body Color Package, Value Truck Package, Power Package and Deluxe Package.

Frontier King Cab 4x4

The Frontier King Cab 4x4 is available in three different models - XE, SE and SC. XE and SE models come standard with a 3.3-liter V6 engine and the SC model features the factory-installed supercharged engine.

All XE models feature 15-inch styled steel wheels with P265/70R15 tires, auto locking hubs, woven cloth bucket seats, dual black outside mirrors and a center console with cup holders.

Adding to the XE model, the sporty SE comes standard with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with P265/70R16 tires, 4-wheel ABS, body-color fender flares, dual body-color outside mirrors, sliding rear tinted window, privacy glass, air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, fog lamps and variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Besides the supercharged engine, all SC models come with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with P265/55R17 tires, specially tuned suspension, knit bucket seats, 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system and titanium-colored gauges.

Many option packages are available on 4x4 King Cab models including 4-speed automatic transmission, limited-slip differential (XE, standard on SE and SC), Value Truck Package (XE, standard on SE), Power Package (XE, SE, standard on SC), Deluxe Package (XE, SE), Utility Package (XE, standard on SE and SC), Sunroof Package (SE) and Supercharger Value Package (SC).

Frontier Desert Runner

Frontier Desert Runner is built on the heavy-duty 4-wheel drive Frontier chassis, giving the 2-wheel drive the same rigidity, ride height, ground clearance and tough look as the 4-wheel drive model. Standard equipment on Frontier Desert Runner is the SOHC 3.3-liter V6 engine, and, at roughly 500 pounds lighter than a 4x4 Frontier King Cab V6, Desert Runner offers the best power-to-weight ratio of any Frontier pickup. Additionally, the supercharged 3.3-liter V6 engine, which produces 210 horsepower and 246 (A/T), 231 (M/T) ft-lbs of torque, is available with the Desert Runner SC.

Similar to the 4x4 Frontier V6 models, the new Desert Runner is equipped with standard P265/70R15 tires (XE), P255/65R16 tires (SE) or P265/55R17 (SC), fender flares, skid plates for the engine and fuel tank, a full-size spare and 4-channel, 3-sensor 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

All Frontier Desert Runners are King Cabs and are available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed electronically controlled overdrive automatic transmission. Special badging distinguishes Desert Runner from other Frontier models.

Desert Runner is available in XE, SE or SC models with many option packages available, including the Value Truck Package (XE, standard on SE and SC), Deluxe Package (XE, SE), Power Package (XE, SE, standard on SC), Utility Package (XE, standard on SE and SC), Sunroof Package (SE) and Supercharger Value Package (SC). A limited-slip differential is standard on SE and SC models.

Frontier Crew Cab

Frontier Crew Cab's exterior is designed to be user friendly, as well as reinforce the inherent toughness and dependability of the Frontier model. Four real doors, combined with the rugged look of the Frontier, offer a stylish statement and effectively combine the practicality of an SUV with the open-bed utility of a pickup truck.

All Frontier Crew Cabs are built on the heavy-duty 4-wheel drive Frontier chassis, giving the 2-wheel drive the same rigidity, ride height and ground clearance as the 4-wheel drive pickup.

Four real doors allow up to five passengers to enter the vehicle with ease. The bed is about 20 inches shorter than the standard Frontier, but within 15 percent of the volume of many competitive extended cab model beds. An optional bed extender enlarges the Frontier Crew Cab bed length, rivaling the competition's extended cab beds.

The interior of the Frontier Crew Cab combines the comfort and convenience of the 2001 2-door Frontier pickup with many qualities of a sedan or SUV. Frontier Crew Cab offers provisions for the installation of a child safety seat in the rear passenger area, something lacking in today's extended cab compact truck market.

Standard equipment on Frontier Crew Cab is the SOHC 3.3-liter V6 engine, with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed electronically controlled overdrive automatic transmission and a 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive driveline. Also offered is the factory-installed supercharged engine. All Frontier Crew Cabs come standard with a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on the front disc and rear drum brakes.

Also standard is air conditioning, privacy glass on the rear door windows and back glass, rear window defogger, 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system and heavy-duty skid plates. Optional on XE is the Deluxe Package, Utility Package and Power Package. Optional on SE is the Deluxe Package and optional on SC is the Supercharger Value Package.

Find local automotive repair shops in your area | AutoCodes.com Shops
Need A Repair Shop?
Find local automotive repair shops in your area.