Hi: Roger... Yes its a 4X4(6100#) tow capacity. That's all we could get 2010 year end...and the dealer had to go 300 kms to get the white one I wanted.
A Tacoma would have been $10 thou. more and I don't like them as well. Same reliability rating for both trucks, but the Nissan doesn't require extra springs or air bags like the Taco's do.
I can't understand an availability problem as they're built in Smyrna Tenn... but they're very popular here on the forum. Even Reace and Tammy use one to tow all types of Escapes.
Our GMC Sierra was 51"s tall at the axle-( box rail to ground) and the Nissan Frontier is only 49"s tall, so we let the pinbox out one row of holes and lowered the hitch plate down. That way we can use the tonneau cover over the box when not towing. That also pushed the trailer back a little for breathing space on tight turns. We already had the axle lift on the trailer for the fullsize truck so that adds extra clearence on the ups&downs.
I feel the Escape and Frontier are mated for life...don't know whos that'll be tho
Alf
escape artist N.S.of Lake Erie