- Newest year: 2003
- Gas
- Standard pickups
2000-2003 Nissan Frontier MPG & Fuel Cost
4 model years · 14–21 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 standard pickup configurations, MY2003. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2003 Nissan Frontier at a glance
The 2000-2003 Nissan Frontier covers 4 model years in the EPA database (37 configurations in all), rated 14–21 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2003, costs about $3,110 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD (21 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2003 Nissan Frontier by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Gas | 14–21 MPG | $3,110–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 15–21 MPG | $3,110–$5,360 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 15–21 MPG | $3,110–$5,360 | Ratings changed |
| 2000 | Gas | 15–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,360 | First year |
What the 2003 Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$259
$3,110 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.18
Per 100 miles
$20.73
Five years
$15,550
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard pickup median
$1,250less a year
Class median $4,360 a year, MY2003
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Nissan Frontier MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (10)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,440 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,840 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,840 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4WD | 13 | 16 | 14 | $5,740 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Nissan Frontier MPG
15–21 MPG · $3,110–$5,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (10)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,440 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2001 Nissan Frontier MPG
15–21 MPG · $3,110–$5,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (10)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,440 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4WD | 13 | 16 | 15 | $5,360 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2000 Nissan Frontier MPG
15–21 MPG · $3,110–$4,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | RWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,440 |
| Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4WD | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,840 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,080 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,360 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 3.3L 6-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 15 | 17 | 15 | $4,360 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD: $4,230 in California and $2,710 in Texas, a $1,520 difference.
- California $4,230
- Washington $3,920
- New York $3,110
- Florida $2,940
- Texas $2,710
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2003 standard pickup models.
Generations
- 2000-2003
- 2004
- 2005-2021 (D40)
- 2022-2027* (D41)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2003 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates the 2000-2003 Nissan Frontier at 14–21 MPG combined across 37 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2003 Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD, is rated 21 MPG (20 city, 23 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2003 Nissan Frontier?
Every model year of the 2000-2003 Nissan Frontier tops out at 21 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2003 Nissan Frontier?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Nissan Frontier per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD costs about $3,110 a year. Across all 10 configurations the cost runs $3,110–$5,740 a year. That is a $2,630 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2003 Nissan Frontier 100 miles?
About $20.73 per 100 miles for the Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $20.73 and $38.27 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2003 Nissan Frontier more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD is rated 20 city and 23 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 3 MPG.
How does the 2003 Nissan Frontier compare with other standard pickup configurations?
The Frontier 2.4L 4-cyl RWD costs about $3,110 a year to fuel, $1,250 less than the class median of $4,360, and less than 9 of 10 standard pickup configurations. The comparison covers all 108 rated standard pickup configurations for MY2003, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2003 Nissan Frontier different from the 2002 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110. EPA lists 10 configurations for 2003 against 10 configurations for 2002. See the 2002 Nissan Frontier for that year.