These days, pickup trucks fetch quite a pretty penny. Just take a look at the sticker prices of current models, like the 2026 Ford F-150's $38,465 base price before any options, destination fees, or taxes are added in. Mid-size trucks aren't much better, with examples like the brand-new Chevrolet Colorado sporting an entry-level MSRP of $32,400. Paying that much for plastic bumpers, vinyl floors, and zero options besides air conditioning and electric windows can be deflating for some.Not to mention, some folks simply cannot afford to drop $32k on a brand-new midsize truck, meaning they'll have to spring for a used model. Luckily, though, Nissan provides a unique answer to the issue. It's called the 2012 Frontier, and it currently sits as the newest pickup truck you can find on the used market for an average price that's under $10,000. Not to mention, the '12 Frontier is considered exceedingly reliable, largely thanks to what lurks underneath its hood. Nissan's Underdog Pickup NissanThe Frontier's story begins, in essence, just over 40 years ago. Nissan's Hardbody pickup truck was launched in 1985, and was also known as the "D21." It was a small, no-nonsense truck with a square face and a compact body. It was known as the "Hardbody" due to its use of a double-walled steel bed. At the time, nearly all compact pickups utilized cargo beds consisting of just a single steel panel, giving the D21 a much-needed edge in the US market which, at the time, was still fairly new to Nissan.Fast-forward to 1997, and the first Nissan Frontier hit the streets. Instead of the utilitarian, old-school design of the previous Hardbody, the new-age Frontier was positioned to be a "car-like" compact pickup truck. Its main competitors, the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma, had both attempted to become more car-like a few years prior to the first-gen Frontier's release, so Nissan's late-bloomer had some catching-up to do.Nissan Underneath the hood sat a 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder gasoline engine, which boasted a modest 134 horsepower. It was built with low-end torque in mind, 154 pound-feet of it, to be exact. Lots of torque is an important strength to have as a pickup truck, especially one that only has 2.4 liters to make it with. Beginning in 1999, an optional 3.3-liter V6 entered the fold, which upped the power output to 170 ponies and 210 pound-feet of torque. Enter The Second-Gen Frontier NissanBeginning in 2005, a second-generation Frontier replaced the then-aging first-gen model. By this point, Nissan was playing hardball with Toyota, as the Tacoma was positioned as a much larger competitor than it was previously. Instead of going the route of Ford's Ranger which, in essence, remained exactly the same throughout the last decade or so of its list, the Frontier was larger, more SUV-like, and it even offered a crew cab. Ford's Ranger did not, leaving only the Tacoma as a serious adversary.In 2009, the second-gen Frontier underwent its first facelift. While it wasn't a major refresh, it did receive a slightly revised front and rear fascia, along with a slightly different hood. New wheel options were also offered. By the time 2012 rolled around, the '09 facelift was still in effect, and virtually nothing had changed. However, some 14 years later, it's quite a good deal. Big Reliability In A Small Package NissanFor the 2012 model year, the second-gen Frontier was steadily chugging along in the US market, and very reliably, mind you. The crux of its dependability is due to its 4.0-liter V6 engine. While it was technically an optional upgrade, as a 2.5-liter four-pot stood as the standard mill, it's considered to be the more reliable of the two. The mill itself belongs to Nissan's famous VQ V6 engine series, which also happens to be the most awarded V6 engine in history. As for the Frontier's 4.0-liter version, it was designed with low-end torque and longevity in mind.Nissan The 4.0-liter V6, also known as the VQ40DE, boasted reliability-boosting goodies like micro-finished mating surfaces, and moly-coated pistons, which helped to reduce heat and power-robbing friction. The block and cylinder heads were both cast from aluminum, and it utilized a timing chain, rather than the timing belt found in Nissan's previous VG-Series V6 engine family. A reliable variable valve timing system was implemented, too.Nissan Operating in tandem with the VQ40DE is a standard six-speed manual transmission built by Nissan. Optionally, buyers could spring for a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive stood as the standard drivetrain option, with four-wheel drive sitting as the optional extra. Its suspension setup was simple, consisting of a double-wishbone front end and a leaf-sprung, solid rear axle. The off-road-oriented Frontier PRO-4X grade offered upgraded shocks made by Bilstein.Thanks to all of these reliable bits, the '12 Frontier's reliability is much higher than average. According to RepairPal, it scores first out of seven total compact pickup trucks ranked. In addition, its average annual maintenance cost is just $574 per year, a below average amount. To hammer home the point, Kelley Blue Book's user reviews section for the 2012 Frontier awards it 4.6 out of five stars for its reliability rating, and that's out of 216 reviews. Further reinforcing the Frontier's reliability appeal is J.D. Power's 85 out of 100 rating for all things quality and reliability related; a commendable score for any vehicle. More On Its Reliability NissanDuring the 2012 Nissan Frontier's tenure, a few automakers were also involved in producing compact pickup trucks. While the Tacoma was the Frontier's directest competitor, it also had to contend with models like the Chevrolet Colorado and the Honda Ridgeline. Overall, the Nissan Frontier scores a 0.24-times-per-year unscheduled repair frequency, according to RepairPal, compared to an average of 0.4 times per year for its segment. In addition, the risk of any given repair being severe is 12 percent, one percent below the average for mid-size pickups. How Much You'll pay NissanWhen it was new, Nissan was asking for a base price of $19,260 before any destination fees or taxes were added into the mix. For a top-spec model, the SL crew cab, buyers needed to pony up nearly $30,000. However, these days, that original, entry-level price has fallen considerably. According to current market trends, an average '12 Frontier in good condition will run you roughly $9,795, just below the $10k mark.Of course, higher trims and particularly well-maintained or low-mileage examples will command more of your wallet, but the fact remains that solid, dependable, and perfectly usable examples of the 2012 Frontier can indeed be secured for south of $10,000. Something like a PRO-4X could easily run you an extra $3,000 to $5,000 in comparable condition, as could a smart crew-cab model.This is cheaper than virtually every other compact and mid-size truck from the 2012 model year on the market today. Running down its list of competitors, the Toyota Tacoma fetches far more on the used market based on brand and model reputation alone. Others, like the Honda Ridgeline and the Chevrolet Colorado, also have a stronger brand on their side, driving prices up a bit. Looking at the table below shows how its competition stacks up in a used-market shootout: A Seemingly Smart Buy NissanWhen buying any used car, there are some things to consider. Questions like how many previous owners, where it spent most of its life, city or highway miles, and how much time it spent towing are all valid questions to ask, even if the Frontier is considered the most reliable mid-size truck by RepairPal. As always, we strongly recommend getting your prospective used ride a thorough inspection before you pull the trigger.However, if there was any mid-size truck to skip a used car inspection on, it would be the '12 Frontier. Its 4.0-liter V6 has more than proven itself, and the simple, robust engineering found outside its mill should instill a good amount of confidence in anybody.