[Administrator]

Given that the Mazda B-series has been binned, Ford's Ranger will bite the dust next year and GM is planning to kill the Colorado/Canyon, the choice for buyers of mid-size pickups will become fewer and fewer, with only the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier remaining as true contenders. Nissan isn't giving up on the Frontier just yet (as the Navara it's hugely popular in other world markets) and for 2011 is dishing up a few updates.

Like bigger brother Titan, trim levels have been changed to S, SV and SL from XE, SE and LE, while the PRO-4X off-road specialty truck carries on, essentially unaltered. Configurations remain King or Crew Cab with a choice of short or long boxes; 2.5-liter, 152 hp four-cylinder and 4.0-liter, 261 hp V-6 engines, manual or automatic transmissions (depending on trim level) and two or four-wheel drive.

The biggest differences for 2011 concern dropping the six-speed manual gearbox option on SL King Cab and SV Crew Cab models, while adding it to the S and PRO-4X King Cab trucks. In addition, standard child tether anchors have been added to all King Cab trucks, while the four-cylinder SV truck now adopts the same interior trim as its V6 engined counterpart. SV trucks can now be ordered with a Premium Utility package, while the PRO-4X can be ordered with a Luxury package (confused yet?). In addition, Navy Blue paint will be offered on the SV. The 2011 Frontiers are scheduled to go on sale in September 2010, roughly a month after the 2011 Titan.

More: Nissan Frontier Receives Few Updates for 2011 Amid Dwindling Competition on AutoGuide.com

 

[Jordo]

Ford is droping the "rat range" but I saw photos of a F-100, a mid size truck to compete with us and the taco.

I wonder if they are waiting to see if ford does release it to up the bar for 2012. It is past due for a face lift.

 

[hyunelan2]

The F100 idea was killed off. The F150 is slated to be Ford's only main-stream truck in the U.S. market. The pictures you saw were probably of the new Ranger (T6), being designed for the global market, which does not get the F150. There are no plans to sell the T6 in the U.S. at this time, but they haven't completely thrown out the idea.

Spied: Next-Gen Ford Ranger Testing in U.S, May Not Be Sold Here ? Automotive News & Car Rumors at Automobile Magazine

 

[AndysLog]

still no v8 option i see

 

[hyunelan2]

Soon, the F150 is not even going to have V8. The ecoboost v6 will be replacing it, with Ford claiming "V8 power and v6 efficiency."

 

[ToddG]

Limiting what models can have the 6 speed tranny is NOT a good idea at all.
I guess I'll be looking elsewhere for the next truck if I can't have a CC with a manual gear box, what a damn shame.
I hope I just read that wrong?

 

[Whiffle]

I'm surprised GM is killing the Colorado/Canyon, I see them all the time around here. Maybe its due to a reason other than poor sales.

The way vehicles are going these days, I see myself keeping this truck a long time. There just isn't anything new that really compares.

 

[dubie2003]

I just hope they don't change the frame on the Frontier or the Titan. It is nice to be able to swap over parts from the Titan into our Frontiers.

Now for the range, it is just under powered and a bit expensive. I did the cost analysis when I bought my Frontier and the Ranger was destroyed by Nissan.

The Colorado/Canyon isn't too horrible but their motors need some work. I test drove one and it seemed small and under powered and it was their I5, not the I4.

I never drove a Toyota because it was just too expensive to even consider since I literally just came from the Nissan dealer across the side street.

I think Nissan make a killing if they offered the 2.5 diesel in the US or another similarly powered diesel. Then an larger one in the Titan for heavy towing. Then if a regular cab was an option, a lot more fleet vehicles may jump for it. I love the KC and CC idea but the buyers at companies have it in their heads that RCs are cheaper and they don't need a KC so they don't even consider the Frontier.

 

[fierari]

whats does luxury package include?

 

[bwarren228]

Limiting what models can have the 6 speed tranny is NOT a good idea at all.
I guess I'll be looking elsewhere for the next truck if I can't have a CC with a manual gear box, what a damn shame.
I hope I just read that wrong?

Don't worry, you read it wrong ... If you look closely, they added the 6spd to the 4cyl instead of the 5spd manual you get now. Also, you get a 6spd manual option for the CC Pro-4x which they havent had before. You cannot get a 6spd SL, which is the new name for the current LE. You never could get a 6spd LE so nothing really changed there.

 

[m3rdpwr]

PRO-4X with a Luxury Package?

That's what I would have wanted for my PRO-4X I just ordered.

Bummer...

-Mario

 

[Avplayer]

a 6sp Pro4x (nismo) CC is what i always wanted...too bad my 06 Nismo CC is already paid off

 

[FitzIngarage]

a 6sp Pro4x (nismo) CC is what i always wanted...too bad my 06 Nismo CC is already paid off

I give Nissan high marks for actually adding a 6 Speed option to the Pro4x CC. Most manufacturers are eliminating manual transmissions altogether.

Save the Manuals! Official Headquarters ? Car and Driver

 

[HKYStormFront]

I give Nissan high marks for actually adding a 6 Speed option to the Pro4x CC. Most manufacturers are eliminating manual transmissions altogether.

Save the Manuals! Official Headquarters ? Car and Driver

+1... it won't be too long until dual clutch transmissions are the "manual" option. they are still expensive right now but 10 years from now, they will probably be standard.

i meant automated dual clutch transmissions... why can't i edit my post??

 

[4floored]

Is it that ubsurd that I want a locker option in my CC long bed. Why not? Would none of you guys want the locker with a little more bedroom or vice versa.

 

[dubie2003]

Is it that ubsurd that I want a locker option in my CC long bed. Why not? Would none of you guys want the locker with a little more bedroom or vice versa.

We would love it if they just went with the m226 rear. This way you can add a TT or an ARB if you don't buy the nismo/pro version.

 

[HKYStormFront]

Is it that ubsurd that I want a locker option in my CC long bed. Why not? Would none of you guys want the locker with a little more bedroom or vice versa.

the 2nd gen CC LB is a large, long truck... a little unwieldy for wheeling. breakover point especially is drastically reduced and the frontier is already at a disadvantage compared to the Xterra in that regard due to the longer wheelbase vs the X.