It's official! The Million Mile Frontier has made it to one million miles! Brian Murphy of Ringwood, IL, has achieved the huge milestone of getting his truck to drive one million miles. He purchased his 2007 Nissan Frontier XE from M'Lady Nissan brand new and has cared for his truck meticulously ever since.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, "Americans now drive an average of 13,476 miles per year." On average, Brian drives more than that in only two months. He averaged 350 miles per day during the week and drove his truck throughout the Chicagoland area for work.
He chose the Nissan Frontier for the size, gas mileage, and the safety barrier between himself and packages for work. Brian wanted a different vehicle from the typical delivery van and the Nissan Frontier met all his needs. It continued to exceed his expectations by being incredibly reliable on the road.
Brian enjoys the durability and reliability of the Nissan Frontier and considers the truck to get good gas mileage at 26 MPG, especially with the combination of city and highway miles. When asked what the key is to getting his truck to the million mile marker, he said, "Maintenance, driving conservatively, and travel speed."
The Nissan Frontier continues to be your no-nonsense, mid-sized, pickup truck designed to transport and get the job done. First produced in 1997, the Nissan Frontier has evolved to either King Cab or Crew Cab sizes and is available in five different trim levels to chose from - S, SV, Desert Runner, Pro-4X, and SL.
M'Lady Nissan has always been Brian’s place for service and care for his Nissan Frontier. It has been serviced by master mechanic Joe Rygiel, each and every time he brought his truck in over the past 12 years. Joe replaced the clutch as well as completed any other needed maintenance work. Brian always brought his truck in whenever it had an issue and consistently took care of oil changes every 10,000 miles. He always felt M'Lady Nissan Service took excellent care of him and his vehicle.
When driving and delivery is your daily job for approximately 350 miles per day, it is important to make sure you have the vehicle that will get you where you need to go. The Nissan Frontier achieved this goal for Brian Murphy!
Congratulations on driving one million miles on your Nissan Frontier, Brian!
Ever gaining in popularity, over 45 percent of new vehicles sold in the U.S. have either all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), according to an Edmunds analysis. There are many reasons why car buyers are trending towards the drivetrains that allow for more traction, control and power. These two terms can be confusing and even used interchangeably, so it is important to distinguish the pros and cons of the different systems to make the most informed decision as to what would be best for your specific needs.
Four Wheel Drive is a traditional system which powers all four of a vehicle's wheels. 4WD is found primarily in large trucks and SUVs, delivering torque through differentials, transfer cases and couplings allowing for maximum traction under most conditions. The capability for 4WD vehicles to navigate off-road and handle deep snow conditions also allows it to manage icy hills and get the vehicle out of ditches and snowdrifts with more ease. Traditionally made for more severe driving conditions, 4WD engineering is becoming increasingly sophisticated and being incorporated into more luxurious models offering better comfort. 4WD vehicles were ultimately designed for maximum pulling power and navigating rough terrain, making it the better choice for adverse conditions on and off the road. Drivers that prefer to have control over when to engage four-wheel drive prefer this drivetrain. In addition, 4WD vehicles tend to have a better fuel economy and decreased initial cost of the vehicle. Nissan offers many models with 4WD including the Pathfinder, Armada, Frontier, Titan, and Titan XD.
All Wheel Drive can be broken down into two types, part-time AWD and full-time drive. These systems power all four tires, but the drivetrains work differently. Full-time AWD drives all the wheels continuously, while part-time operates primarily in two-wheel with power to all four wheels when the vehicle senses that additional traction control is needed. With the system designed to send power to the extra wheels when traction is lost, this is beneficial to the driver as the car makes the decision and no action is needed from the driver. AWD vehicles also offer a smoother ride than traditional 4WD and can handle conditions from rain and snow to light off-roading. AWD vehicles can be offered in compact sedans up to large SUVs, making the selection appeal to more car buyers. Nissan offers several great options for AWD vehicles, including the Altima, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Murano and GT-R.
With winter in Crystal Lake quickly approaching, now is the time of year that consumers begin to think of how their car or truck will perform in the upcoming inclement weather. According to Edmunds.com, “Driving in cold weather often means encountering a variety of rapidly changing road surfaces, from soft snow to hard-packed snow to glare ice. AWD systems, which deliver power to all four wheels all the time, or automatically engage four-wheel torque when needed, are best at dealing with these changing conditions.”
Lastly, there are vehicles that still rely on the Rear-Wheel drivetrain, which are likely pick-up trucks and some SUVs along with various luxury sedans and sports cars. For heavy vehicles, RWD offers better traction especially with a heavy load. Sports cars with RWD can see improved handling as the vehicles are designed to optimize suspension for handling. However, because RWD can become very slippery with little traction on slick roads, the majority of newer released models have AWD as an option for those who would prefer the added safety value. Currently, Nissan has new cargo vans available with RWD.
Back in January of 2015, Nissan was already envisioning what features the next generation of cars would boast in 2020. Based off of a virtual vision created solely for a video game, the design was so successful that an advanced engineering team at Nissan developed the car into a remarkable 3D model. Now while the Gran Turismo is still a concept, the innovative minds a Nissan believe drivers may be ready for that vision to become a reality in the future.
For other models of Nissan’s innovative vehicles, the future is now. Building on the quality, reliability and style of existing successful models, modernization of Nissan’s fleet is at an all-time high. Let’s take a look at the upgraded features and changes to the 2020 Nissan Versa, Rogue Sport, Titan Warrior, and Frontier Diesel.
Arriving in dealerships late August 2019, 2020 launches the third Versa generation that includes more safety features and a more powerful engine. While the Versa Note hatchback has been discontinued, the Versa S and Versa SR are redesigned with new exterior styling and an improved interior. 2020 models are 2.3 inches lower, 1.8 inches wider, and 1.6 inches longer. Other style upgrades include new taillights and the popular C-pillar featured on the Maxima and Altima. Like the other Nissan models of 2020, the Versa will have standard automatic emergency braking including pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and rear automatic braking. Auto on/off headlights and high-beam assist add to the list of reasons the 2020 Versa will be sure to excite those in the market for an affordable and fuel-efficient commuter car.
Being released in the fall of 2019, the more aggressive front-end design includes a larger looking grill and front bumper. Other design updates are restyled taillights, updated fog lights that are better integrated with the design and 19-inch wheels. The Rogue has always had a hearty list of advanced safety features, but new in 2020, the Safety Shield 360 comes standard even with the base Rogue Sport S. The Safety Shield 360 features include forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic front and rear emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The new Rogue also has revised trim levels and packages for 2020.
Arriving in dealerships in early 2020, the bolder than ever Titan Warrior boasts upgrades in safety, aesthetics and powertrain. As with all the new 2020 models, Nissan’s truck has the Safety Shield 360 standard with some models including adaptive cruise control and a 360° camera. The interior has updated technology such as a 7-inch display on the dashboard, an 8-inch touchscreen with NissanConnect software (with the option to upgrade to a 9-inch) and optional wireless charging. In addition to new wheel designs and more paint colors to choose from, the Warrior has three new grille designs, LED lights in the cargo bed, unique tailgate plaques and updated LED tail lights. And while the Titan has always been praised for its power, 2020 now brings 400 horsepower, 413 lb-ft of torque and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
With a potential release date of September 2020, the newest mid-size truck to hit the market is rich in history, being the first vehicle Nissan built in the United States in 1983. Described by J.D. Power, the new Frontier is ‘futuristic’ and has a major overhaul in body style and powertrain. The new Frontier is to be equipped with a 2.8-liter Cummins diesel engine resulting in 200 horsepower, more than 350 lb-ft. of torque and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Adding an aggressive new look, roof rack, transparent hood and contrasting wheels, the release of this future concept truck could be just what the prospective truck buyer has been waiting for.