From a product perspective, the 2005 model year has offered significant change for Nissan, not the least of which is the redesigned Frontier pickup and its new NISMO trim. Marked as the first NISMO-branded vehicle sold in the U.S., the 2005 Nissan Frontier NISMO comes in either King or Crew Cab guise, with 265 horsepower pushing the rear or all four tires. Pricing starts at $22,680 for the two-wheel-drive King Cab and climbs to $27,430 for the four-wheel-drive Crew Cab model. Included is a $580 destination charge.

To be worthy of its NISMO badges, the Frontier needed some serious hardware. Standard equipment includes front and rear Bilstein shocks, skid plates, an electronic locking rear differential, and unique 16-inch alloy wheels housed in P265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires. Also on the list is a rear limited-slip differential for two-wheel-drivers and front and rear limited-slip diffs for Frontiers with all four paws in motion. Hill Descent Control (HDC), available on four-wheel-drive models, maintains a slow, controlled speed on steep downhills, and can be activated at speeds up to 31 mph. Hill Start Assist (HSA), also only available on four-bys, can stop the Frontier on an incline when the driver moves her foot from the brake to the accelerator.

We had a chance to try out a loaded, four-wheel-drive Frontier Crew Cab NISMO, and can attest to the effectiveness of both Hill systems, which provide an extra level of security on uncertain terrain. Also impressive are the redesigned Frontier’s stiffer frame and overall suspension compliance off road.