2018 Nissan Frontier — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2018 Nissan Frontier is a pickup offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 4L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) / 21 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 20–25 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Nissan Frontier workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2017 Nissan Frontier: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 25 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.5L 4-cyl · 4L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Manual 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 25 combined / 23 urban / 28 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 21 combined / 19 city / 23 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 268 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 3 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 8 configurations for the 2018 Nissan Frontier across 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 4L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 17 to 21 mpg (US), or 20 to 25 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/22) | 290 | $3,550 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/23) | 268 | $3,200 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 322 | $3,950 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 323 | $3,950 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/23) | 297 | $3,550 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/22) | 307 | $3,700 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/21) | 315 | $3,700 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/22) | 298 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2018 Nissan Frontier
Running Costs: 2018 Nissan Frontier
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 Nissan Frontier at 25 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,455 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2018 Nissan Frontier Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Nissan Frontier (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Back over prevention (1), Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Back over prevention — campaign 19V654000, reported 12 September 2019. Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Electrical system — campaign 18V551000, reported 22 August 2018. Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Frontier. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (5), Unspecified (4), Suspension (3). That is close to the median of 38 complaints across the 17 Nissan Frontier model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 Nissan Frontier
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (1 recall campaign · 5 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Suspension (3 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Brakes (3 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Nissan Frontier compare to similar pickups? Pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 0 mpg. Its 268 g/km CO₂ figure is 15 g/km lower than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
Nissan models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2018 Nissan Frontier's 25 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 268 g/km CO₂ figure is 28 g/km higher than the 240 g/km Nissan average.
Of the 17 Nissan Frontier model years we cover, the 2018 is the most economical on its best configuration (25 mpg UK combined). See every Nissan Frontier year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2018 Nissan Frontier
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Nissan Frontier have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2018 Nissan Frontier: 2.5L 4-cyl, 4L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.5L 4-cyl with a manual 5-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Nissan Frontier?
The most efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, or 21 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 20 to 25 mpg.
How much does the 2018 Nissan Frontier cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2018 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Nissan Frontier (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Back over prevention (1), Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Nissan Frontier?
Among the 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (5 complaints), Unspecified (4 complaints), Suspension (3 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Nissan Frontier's fuel economy good for a pickup?
It returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track.