Gotta tell ya, if I needed a compact pickup, this new Frontier would be it. Like any red-blooded American, how my personal transportation looks is just as, if not more, important as how it works, and this Nissan looks like it’s chewing up rocks while standing still. This truck is tough, chiseled, with a balanced look that totally escapes the oversized and oddly proportioned Toyota Tacoma.

But looks will only get a pickup so far – just ask Chevrolet how the Colorado was selling before the employee discount fire sale. No worries – the Nissan Frontier has the goods to work as a real truck, with a stout V6 underhood and a slick utility track system in the bed. Our test truck even had a spray-on bedliner to protect from scratches. And though I didn’t take it four-wheeling, if my experience in the Frontier’s platform-mate, the Xterra SUV, is any indication, this truck oughta rock off-road.

For its looks and performance, you don’t suffer inside the cab. The seats feature height and tilt adjustment, and provide decent support. The rear seat is a little tight when four tall adults are on board, but for short rides it’s just fine. And there are splashes of brightwork to help lessen what could otherwise be a pretty plain place to spend time. The seat fabric appears to be durable and water resistant, and the Rockford Fosgate audio system is terrific for a truck. If you wear polarized sunglasses, however, you can’t read the LCD display for the stereo.

Before this test drive, the Toyota Tacoma was the truck I recommended to anyone looking for a durable and capable pickup. But now, I’ll be sure to tell truck buyers to try the Nissan dealer, too. The 2005 Frontier is another home run for Nissan, a company that has proven, time after time, that product is king when it comes to sales success. – Christian J. Wardlaw

Photos courtesy of Ron Perry