The Nissan Frontier is built on the company's F-Alpha platform, which is shared with the Titan, Armada, Pathfinder, and Xterra. This F-Alpha architecture gives the Frontier a solid foundation that can be tuned for hauling cargo, traversing rough trails and for providing a comfortable ride around town or at expressway speeds. Nissan builds the tough F-Alpha frame in various lengths for these different models, and deliberately kept Frontier short enough to fit in a standard garage.

The Nismo off-road model we drove seemed as capable at highway speeds as when we splashed through nearly two feet of creek water rushing across Texas ranch roads. The Nismo's trail capabilities include a 31.5-degree approach angle.

The optional Traction-Package technologies further enhance the Nismo Frontier's worthiness when off the beaten trail. Hill Descent Control walks the vehicle down steep descents. Hill Start Assist holds your position when you lift your foot off the brake while heading uphill. Limited-slip traction control helps redirect engine torque to the non-slipping drive wheels on low traction surfaces. It operates on the rear wheels on 2WD Nismo models and on all four wheels on 4WD Nismos.

Vehicle Dynamic Control (optional on LE and Nismo) can help the driver avoid accidents. It's set up to allow a little more sideslip than some electronic stability control systems, and we prefer this approach. Similar electronic stability control systems from other manufacturers often intervene too quickly to suit advanced drivers, but Nissan's VDC reminds us of the system in Porsches, effectively helping the driver maintain control without feeling it has taken over.

The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering provides good feedback. The Frontier was stable and sure even when driven aggressively around curves. We found the brakes effective. The four-wheel disc brakes use big brake rotors for efficient cooling in repeated hard use.

The Frontier's 4.0-liter V6 engine is rated at 261 horsepower at 5600 rpm, which makes it the most powerful V6 in the mid-size pickup class. It provides 19 more horsepower than the largest engine available in the Chevrolet Colorado, 25 more horsepower (and while using regular fuel) than the V6 in the Toyota Tacoma, and as much horsepower as even the strongest V8 available in the Dodge Dakota. (The Dakota V8s develop more torque, however, important if you plan to pull a trailer.)

Nissan's six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions are well-matched to the V6 engine, allowing the driver to exercise all of that power.

The Frontier XE's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generates 152 horsepower, which is certainly adequate. In fact, it's 84 percent of the power produced by the 3.3-liter V6 available in the previous-generation Frontier.