2016 Nissan Frontier 4WD MPG & Specs — Real-World vs EPA, All Trims
Every trim takes regular — no premium needed.
Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier 4WD good on gas?
At up to 18 MPG combined, the 2016 Nissan Frontier 4WD is about average for a Small Pickup Trucks 4WD — that class averages about 18.9 MPG across 337 EPA-tested versions, so it's middle-of-the-road for its size.
Real-world MPG vs the EPA number
The EPA figures above come from a standardized dynamometer test, not the open road — real-world MPG typically runs a bit lower depending on your driving, climate and terrain. That's true of every car on this site, old or new.
EPA updated its fuel-economy equations again for model year 2017 — mostly affecting hybrids and turbocharged engines — and recalculated 2011-2016 ratings to match, in some cases 1-2 MPG lower. The number above already reflects that update.
At today's AAA national average price — $3.80/gal for regular gas as of 2026-07-05 — the most efficient trim runs about $3,167/year (roughly $264/month, about $21.11 per 100 miles) at the EPA's assumed 15,000 miles/year, using an estimated 833 gallons a year. We don't estimate a cost-per-fill since exact tank size isn't in the public EPA dataset, but the per-100-mile figure scales to any tank. Current national average gas prices →
2016 Nissan Frontier 4WD trims & fuel economy
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr (today's price) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl, 6-spd manual, 4WD | REGULAR | 18 | $3,167 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, 4WD | REGULAR | 17 | $3,353 |
2016 Nissan Frontier 4WD specs
What the EPA test-car listings record for this model year — every combination sold is a row in the trims table above.
| Engine options | 4.0L 6-cyl |
| Transmission | 6-spd manual · Automatic 5-spd |
| Drive type | 4WD |
| EPA body class | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Fuel | Regular |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 494–514 g/mi |
Other years of the Nissan Frontier 4WD
Similar cars (Small Pickup Trucks 4WD)
Cars that take premium · Cheapest cars to fuel · Where fuel grade depends on the trim · Fuel guides
2 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov data retrieved 2026-07-24 · fuel prices AAA national average as of 2026-07-05.