Compact Pickup

Nissan · 2005-2021

Frontier (2nd Gen, D40)

The D40 Frontier (MY2005-2021) grew into a mid-size truck on the Titan's F-Alpha platform, with a 4.0 L V6 rated up to 265 hp, a 2.5 L four, King Cab and Crew Cab bodies, and a 17-model-year run that ended with a 310 hp 3.8 L V6.

Years
2005-2021
Drivetrain
RWD · 4WD
Engines
QR25DE · VQ40DE · VQ38DD
Sold in
US · Canada

Spec sheet

Spec sheet
Generation
2nd Gen
Nameplate
Nissan Frontier
Production
2005–2021

Built at Smyrna, Tennessee on the Titan-derived F-Alpha platform from MY2005 to MY2021. The 2020-2021 trucks kept the D40 body but got the new 3.8 L V6 and 9-speed automatic.

Assembly
Smyrna, Tennessee
Sold in
US
Canada
Codes
D40
Body styles
King Cab
Crew Cab
Bed lengths
6.1 ft (73.3 in) on King Cab and Crew Cab long bed
5.0 ft (59.5 in) on Crew Cab
Drivetrains
RWD
4WD
Transmissions
5-speed manual (2.5 L)
6-speed manual (V6)
5-speed automatic
9-speed automatic (2020-2021)
Trims
XE
SE
LE
PRO-4X
S
SV
Midnight Edition
Wheelbase
125.9 / 139.9 in
Length
205.5 / 219.4 in
Width
72.8 in
Height
69.7 / 70.1 in
Payload
Up to 1,583 lb (2010 SE V6 King Cab 4x2, 2010 brochure)
Towing
3,500 lb (4-cyl.); up to 6,500 lb (V6)

Engines

QR25DE2.5 L · I4 · 152 hp · 171 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm · 2005-2019
Displacement
2.5 L
Config
I4
HP
152 hp
Torque
171 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Years
2005-2019
Notes
King Cab (and later some Crew Cab) only; 2010 brochure rating
VQ40DE4.0 L · V6 · 265 hp · 284 lb-ft · 2005-2019
Displacement
4.0 L
Config
V6
HP
265 hp
Torque
284 lb-ft
Years
2005-2019
Notes
2005 rating; 261 hp @ 5,600 / 281 lb-ft @ 4,000 in the 2010 brochure
VQ38DD3.8 L · V6 · 310 hp · 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm · 2020-2021
Displacement
3.8 L
Config
V6
HP
310 hp
Torque
281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Years
2020-2021
Notes
Direct injection; paired with the 9-speed automatic

Highlights

Highlights
01
4.0 L V6 was the most powerful V6 in a pickup at launch (265 hp)
02
Factory spray-in bedliner and Utili-track tie-down system
03
Crew Cab long bed (139.9 in wheelbase) added later in the run
04
17 model years on sale; 3.8 L V6 and 9-speed for 2020-2021

Related

Predecessor

Frontier D22 (1st Gen)

Successor

Frontier 3rd Gen (D41, 2022)

Related

Equator

Overview

Nissan launched the second-generation (D40) Frontier for 2005, built in Smyrna, Tennessee on a fully boxed frame derived from the full-size Titan's F-Alpha platform. Its wheelbase was 9.8 inches longer than the D22's, and it came as a King Cab or Crew Cab in 2WD or 4WD.

The main engine was a 4.0 L DOHC V6 (265 hp and 284 lb-ft at launch), with a 2.5 L four on base King Cabs. Off-road models offered Bilstein shocks, an electronic locking rear differential and hill descent control. The D40 stayed on sale through 2021; for 2020 it received the new 310 hp 3.8 L direct-injection V6 and a 9-speed automatic ahead of the D41 redesign.

Sources