I was checking into an airport rental location in the Northeast this week. I had about 20 minivans to choose from :-( , and I saw a Nissan Frontier (SV 4x4) sitting there. I remember briefly researching them (I’m not a truck guy), before I purchased my 2023 SC Limited, so I was curious. I went ahead and selected it, and drove it for the evening and next day. Here were my take always: Absolutely hated it. It was like a big, rough-riding truck, only small (like one with decade old engineering and tech). It was a true 4WD, but still, it rode rough and bouncy on the interstate, I had to correct the steering a lot, the steering was HEAVY, it had the worst headlights (i.e. yellow) I’ve ever had in a vehicle (I made sure the headlights were on, that it wasn’t just DRLs) , the step in height was much higher, the interior was of much less quality than our SC’s. The only positives I could think of were that the rear seat area is roomier than in an SC, a longer bed, and the audio system had more power and bass than the SC (I like my music bass-heavy :cool: ).
Just thought I would share my observations. Even though I’m more of a sports sedan kind of guy, I really like and am enjoying my SC Limited that I’ve had for almost a year. Now about that 4-pin towing wire harness…LOL
Yep. I rent and drive lots of different vehicles for work. Hyundai/Kia have amazing ride and handling, even moreso for their price point.
My SC rides and handles as well as the Mercedes GLS550 I traded in, better than Tahoes, Escalades, and any other SUV (including BMW and Audi SUVs) I've driven. Better than any sedan I've driven (including Cadillac, Audi, and Mercedes, Honda, etc).
You'll have a hard time finding anything (car or truck) that rides and drives better for less than double the price of a SC.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the 2023 Nissan Frontier. It's always interesting to hear first-hand accounts, especially from someone who isn't typically a ""truck guy."" Trucks can be a whole different beast compared to sports sedans, and it sounds like the Frontier didn't really win you over. I get what you mean about the ride quality and the steering. Some trucks give that rugged feel, which isn't everyone's cup of tea.
It's funny you mention the headlights and interior quality. I had a similar issue with another Nissan vehicle some time back, and it got me exploring other options. If you're ever interested in venturing out to JDM cars, you should check out https://www.jdmbuysell.com/buying-guide/nissan-silvia/. There's something about JDM cars that offers a unique blend of performance and comfort.