Edmunds Test Drive: 2009 Nissan Frontier PRO4X
The name "Frontier" conjures up all sorts of images: prospectors in search of Alaskan black gold, adventurers crossing the Amazon, nomads roaming the sand-swept dunes of the Kalahari -- the types of environs for which an off-road-ready pickup truck like the 2009 Nissan Frontier PRO4X.
Now, we didn't take the Frontier to those places. Our CFO laughed when we suggested it. "Do you know how much it costs to ship a pickup truck to Botswana?" he asked. What a party pooper. But I did take it into the San Bernardino Mountains for a photo shoot and some light off-roading to dip our toes into the Frontier's rugged potential.
Read the full 2009 Nissan Frontier PRO4X Edmunds Test Drive
Despite that potential, though, the Frontier couldn't overcome my own stupidity. Go ahead and laugh, but I buried the rear tires when I was requested to fling up some snow for a photo. I gunned it in rear-wheel drive and kept gunning it without realizing the Frontier was making like the Titanic. Ten minutes and a lot of shoveling later, I was out. But the ego was bruised and I suspected the truck was making fun of me.
Photos of the ordeal are included after the jump.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
Bedecked in my way-cool wintery Jays cap, I futily try to pry the Frontier free.
Yep, just keep digging yourself in there deeper Riswick.
- Posted by
- James Riswick February 19, 2009, 1:31 PM
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I'd like to know more about the truck's 4WD system, especially since it couldn't pull you outta there.
ditto
...and I thought you were supposed to be Canadian. For shame.
It's so refreshing to see that proper real mid-sized trucks with genuine off-road ability are still available on the market. I would like Nissan to have a manual transmission version of the PRO-4X.
There was a similar version of the Pathfinder but Nissan has withdrawn it for 2009! :(
Thanks for sharing this post. All pick up trucks pull and carry loads nearly twice from their weight, but these massive engines were gaping fuel drains. Manufacturers are building more economical trucks, like the Silverado Hybrid and the Ford 150 SFE. Nissan Frontier is a four cylinder mid-size pick up truck. In terms of feature it was basic. Seats are very comfortable and very spacious. For more details refer http://www.macktruck.org/2009-nissan-frontier-review.html