In some ways they expect more from a truck than they would demand from

a car. Pickups are expected to carry loads, go off road, and take the abuse

of construction sites and vacation trips. At the same time, they are expected

to be reliable, comfortable and good looking. Filling all those needs is

a tall order.

Careful shoppers can go from Toyota to Isuzu, with stops at Mitsubishi

and Nissan, in search of their ideal truck. Or they can add Dodge, Ford,

Chevrolet and GMC to their itineraries.

Nissan is an experienced player in this game. Ever since the days of

boxy Datsuns, the company has had at least one small hauler available.

Though the product has evolved as the needs and tastes of buyers have changed,

basic elements--small size, durability, and value--have remained constant.

Some years ago, Nissan took a gamble. The company decided that appearance

would play an increasing role in the truck-buying process. So a bundle

of money was invested in a reshaped truck penned by the designers at Nissan's

California studio. The result was the Hardbody--now called the Nissan Truck.

Controversial at first, it's now a proven design.

New option packages and a higher level of standard equipment make the

Nissan Truck one of the best values among compact pickups.

and bulging fenders, all neatly executed. The shape's longevity can be

attributed to its basic understatement; unlike most faddish styling jobs,

the Nissan Truck was, and still is, free of obsolescence-prone add-on frills.

This year all Nissan Trucks are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder

engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. This engine generates

134 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 154 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm. It gives

away some smoothness and power to some of the competition in return for

bulletproof reliability and low cost. The Nissan can tow trailers up to

3500 lbs.

This is one of the most powerful standard engines among the compact

trucks, though it's topped by the Toyota Tacoma's 142-hp engine.

The V6 engine offered last year is not available this year due to emissions

regulations.

XE and SE models come with two- or four-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line

King Cab SE is fitted with automatic locking front hubs, while XE models

require the driver to get out and engage the front hubs manually before

going off-road.

Power steering and rear-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard on all models.

All 4X4 models with manual transmissions come with a clutch-interlock cancel

control that allows you to start the engine on hills without pressing the

clutch pedal.

Cabs and cargo beds are offered in two sizes. The Standard cargo bed

is just over six feet long; the Long Bed adds more than 15 inches to that.

Two colors were added to this year's palette: Autumn Sunburst and Starfire

Blue Pearl, which join Aztec Red, Cherry Red Pearl, Pacific Blue, Vivid

Teal, black, gold, gray and white.

with little storage space behind the seats. Regular Cab trucks come with

cloth bench seats, which are advertised as, but not very comfortable, for

three riders.

The King Cab is larger, providing a 14.4 cu. ft. cargo area behind the

seats or, when optional jump seats are installed, temporary accommodations

for two more passengers. King Cabs get cloth bucket seats.

The Standard Regular Cab 4X2 Truck is stark and utilitarian to the extreme

with a vinyl-covered floor.

The Regular and King Cab XE models and the top-of-the-line King Cab

SE are far cozier with full carpeting and a premium grade of cloth. A wide

range of options are offered to further civilize the cab, but appearance

and comfort basics are in place regardless of model.

Whether Regular or King, the Nissan cabs are comfortable and attractive.

A car-like dashboard houses a speedometer, a fuel gauge and a water temperature

gauge. Higher trim lines include a tachometer.

A driver's-side airbag, three-point seat belts and side intrusion beams

are standard.

steering combines low effort with good feel, the ride is firm but not unpleasant.

Like most pickups, these trucks ride better with a load in the bed than

when empty.

The suspension consists of independent struts with torsion bar springs

and a 23-mm anti-roll bar up front with a solid axle and leaf springs in

the rear. This sturdy combination gives the Nissan a smooth, car-like feel,

while giving it the ability to conquer the most challenging off-road terrain.

With their stiff suspensions, the 4X4 models feel a bit bouncy when going

over bumps and road irregularities.

While the 4X2 Regular Cabs can turn around in a 33.5-ft. circle, the

4X4 King Cab requires 38.7 feet to do the same, which requires a little

getting used to.

For many people, all-day trips in pickup trucks are not comfortable,

but the Nissans are much better in this regard than most other small trucks.

They are, of course, equipment-sensitive: You will want the King Cab

with its bucket seats if long hours behind the wheel are anticipated. For

a personal use truck and general transportation the King Cab is the way

to go. Regular Cab trucks are best used primarily as work trucks.

Other, more practical matters to consider when choosing a Nissan are

construction details. Long Bed and 4X4 models have additional reinforcement

to their steel ladder-type chassis, a good feature to have in times of

heavy loading or off-road stress.

All Nissan pickup beds are double-walled for strength. The King Cab

models come standard with plastic bedliners, which are available as a dealer-installed

accessory package on the Regular Cab models.

Beyond practical considerations, there's little to do except look at

the various equipment levels, plus individual and package options. Some

represent genuine good value: The XE Value Truck package is a no-cost option

for all XE models that includes air conditioning, an AM/FM/cassette sound

system, aluminum alloy wheels with P215/70R-14 tires, black windshield

molding, black grille, black bumper, variable intermittent wipers, locking

glove compartment, ash tray, glove compartment lights, tachometer, trip

odometer and digital clock; that package cost $995 last year, adding considerable

value. The Comfort Package that comes with it adds a tilt steering column

and cruise control.

The SE King Cab is Nissan's best-equipped and most luxurious truck.

It comes with everything in the XE Value Package plus power windows and

door locks, cruise control, alloy wheels and a sunroof. This makes the

SE is an excellent choice for weekday and weekend use.

model introduced later this year. The current model continues to be a solid

truck, however. It comes with a beefy chassis, a powerful driveline and

a body that is still stylish and distinctive.

Somewhere in the Nissan Truck line is a pickup for almost everyone.

The XE is a refined alternative to an economy car and with no-cost options

packages added in, it comes with a high level of standard equipment making

it a good value.

Without being the fastest or the flashiest trucks around, the Nissans

are well-suited to handling whatever chores are assigned to them. It might

be a good idea to shop elsewhere for the ultimate in off-road performance,

but Nissan offers a lot of truck for a relatively small price.