2019 Nissan Frontier — Carivo review carivo.co
Truck

2019 Nissan Frontier

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $27,106–$34,138
Fuel Economy 17 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Truck
Est. Annual Fuel $3,088/yr

Key Specifications — 2019 Nissan Frontier

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleTruck
Base Price$27,106–$34,138

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2019 Nissan Frontier

The 2019 Nissan Frontier is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.6/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $27,106–$34,138, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Frontier sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. At 7.3/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2019 Nissan Frontier sits in the middle of the field. Until its technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Trucks

The 2019 Nissan Frontier ranks #336 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 35% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,106 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 23%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →

Which Frontier Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2016 Nissan Frontier scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.2 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.6/10$32,846 Read review →
2025 7.6/10$32,846 Read review →
2024 7.6/10$31,890 Read review →
2023 7.4/10$30,933 Read review →
2022 7.5/10$29,976 Read review →
2021 7.2/10$29,019 Read review →
2020 7.2/10$28,063 Read review →
2019 (this review) 7.2/10$27,106
2018 7.2/10$26,149 Read review →
2017 7.1/10$25,193 Read review →
2016 7.1/10$24,236 Read review →
2015 7.1/10$23,279 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2019 Nissan Frontier

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 17 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Nissan Frontier (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
12/09/2019 · 19V654000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Common Questions — 2019 Nissan Frontier

Is the 2019 Nissan Frontier reliable?

We rate the 2019 Nissan Frontier's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2019 Nissan Frontier have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2019 Nissan Frontier worth buying?

It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #336 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 35% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2019 Nissan Frontier cost?

The 2019 Nissan Frontier starts at $27,106 and ranges up to $34,138 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

More Nissan Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.