2022 Nissan Frontier

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ProsModern interior techAvailable active safety featuresTrail-ready PRO-4X trim ConsNo diesel optionUnimpressive expected fuel economyNissan Frontier Expert ReviewDuncan BradyThanks to a long-overdue redesign of the Frontier, the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma will finally have a modern competitor from Nissan in the midsize truck segment. That's right, the 2022 Nissan Frontier (known as the Navara in other markets) will be an all-new third-generation model following more than 15 years of the same truck. A fresh new design better ties it to the Titan full-size pickup and other modern Nissans. Along with the Tacoma and Colorado, other rivals will include the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline. Check out our first drive review here.Collapse AllWhat's NewNew exterior designAvailable 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment displayNewly available Safety Shield 360 driver assist active safety techForward collision warning now standardApple CarPlay and Android Auto now standardWhat We ThinkThe 2022 Frontier is better than the outgoing model, but that wasn't exactly a high bar to clear—that truck was one of the oldest and least-refined vehicles on sale. The question really is if the new Frontier has what it takes to rival the slate of modern midsize trucks.In our first drive, we found the 2022 Frontier to do truck stuff well, towing with confident stability and bashing through an off-road course adeptly. But for normal driving situations, the Frontier doesn't impress. The nine-speed transmission has trouble deciding on which gear it wants to be in. Ride quality is busy and bumpy, and handling is clumsy. Although the cabin looks more modern than before, it still lacks lots of basic features that are commonplace among modern trucks.So even though it's new, the 2022 Frontier still feels pretty old. Some drivers might see appeal in that tried-and-true feel, and we're confident in saying that it's better than another archaic pickup, the Toyota Tacoma. However, against the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, or even Honda Ridgeline, it still falls a few years behind.What Engine Will the 2022 Frontier Use?Nissan introduced a new standard powertrain on the 2020 Frontier that carries over to the redesigned 2022 truck. All models utilize a 3.8-liter V-6 that develops 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, working with a nine-speed automatic to deliver RWD or available part-time 4WD. The EPA hasn't released fuel economy numbers for the 2022 model, but the last-generation truck with the same powertrain returned 17-18/23-24 mpg city/highway. Unlike its predecessor, no four-cylinder engine or manual transmission options are available at launch.Cab and Bed ConfigurationsJust like the truck it's replacing, the 2022 Frontier is available in two-door King Cab and four-door Crew Cab configurations. King Cab and extended wheelbase Crew Cab models feature a 73.3-inch bed, whereas the standard wheelbase Crew Cab bed measures 59.5 inches.SafetyThe previous-gen Frontier was notably lacking in driver assist active safety features, but that changes for 2022. Forward collision warning is now standard, but the real news is that Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite is newly available on all trims. The package includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and driver attention monitoring are also available.Towing and PayloadThe redesigned Frontier offers a slight improvement in capability over the truck it replaces. Maximum payload capacity is now rated at 1,610 pounds in a RWD Frontier SV—up 150 pounds over its predecessor. Trailering capacity tops out at the same 6,720 pounds as last year's model.Can the New Frontier Go Off-Road?Frontiers equipped with 4WD include an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with high- and low-range drive modes. Hill descent control is standard on all 4WD Frontiers, and the Frontier PRO-4X includes an electronic locking differential, Bilstein shocks, and underbody skid plates. New for this year, the PRO-4X's 360-degree camera system includes an off-road mode for monitoring the vehicle's surroundings on a tight trail.TechnologyThis may have been the area in need of most improvement, and Nissan delivers. Whereas the previous-generation Frontier offered zero smartphone-mirroring capabilities, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on all models. A standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system replaces the 7.0-inch setup in last year's model, and an upgraded 9.0-inch touch display is available. There's a standard new 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, too.Key Competitors:Chevrolet ColoradoHonda RidgelineToyota TacomaGMC Canyon

2022 Nissan Frontier

 

"The 2022 Nissan Frontier is fashionably late to the modern mid-size-pickup party, but its bold bodywork and adoption of popular technology could make it the new hotness. With a futuristic face and blistered fenders inspired by the original Nissan ""Hardbody"" compact trucks, the freshly designed Frontier no longer looks like a blast from the past–its predecessor went largely unchanged for 16 years. Likewise, the new generation's interior goes from drab to pretty damn nice thanks to a more stylish layout and additional features. Power is provided by a 310-hp V-6 that pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear- or four-wheel drive. Off-road enthusiasts will also appreciate the Pro-4X trim that has a beefier suspension, an electronic locking rear differential, and other rugged add-ons."

After waiting more than a decade-and-a-half, Nissan finally reveals the third-generation Frontier for the 2022 model year. Sure, it still rides on a frame that dates back to the early 2000s, but the suspension has been revised and the rest of the truck is considerably improved.

We think the SV trim level has the best mix of standard features and value. Our ideal version starts with the crew cab—the larger of the two available cab sizes—and four-wheel drive. This combination adds $4600 to the bottom line. An 8.0-inch touchscreen (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat are standard, but we'd upgrade our truck with the Convenience and Technology packages. Together they add adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automated emergency braking, heated front seats and steering wheel, a trailer hitch, lights in the cargo bed, and a spray-in bedliner.

The 2022 Frontier inherits Nissan's new naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6, which made its debut on the last-generation 2020 model. The engine generates 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear- or four-wheel drive. Our first driving impressions revealed that the Frontier's V-6 provides adequate thrust and smooth operation. We drove the off-road-oriented Pro-4X model that's ready and willing to tackle rugged terrain, even if it's not as capable as the lifted Chevy Colorado ZR2 or the Jeep Gladiator. We also appreciated the Nissan's new quicker and more direct steering and the myriad other chassis enhancements that have helped the truck feel more composed and refined on the go. 

The Frontier's towing capacity maxes out at the same 6720 pounds as the previous generation, so it still falls short of rivals such as the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Jeep Gladiator that can all pull at least 7650 pounds. The Nissan's maximum payload does increase by 160 pounds from 1450 to 1610 pounds. 

The rear-drive Frontier is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. With four-wheel drive, those figures drop to 17 mpg city and 22 highway. Once we can run the new Frontier on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we can evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the Frontier's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Thankfully, the new Frontier delivers an interior design and materials that look like a big improvement over the outdated and plastic-laden cabin that plagued its predecessor. Not only did Nissan add snazzier trim pieces and soft-touch surfaces that were much needed, the company also introduced more contemporary features. The gauge cluster now offsets its analog gauges with a larger 7.0-inch color display. A heated steering wheel and heated front seats are also available. Speaking of seats, the Frontier continues to comfort our backsides with Nissan's supple Zero Gravity thrones. Interior cubby storage includes a bin on top of the dashboard and a place to store items under the back seat. The truck offers two wheelbase lengths that provide a short and long cargo bed, with the former measuring just under 5 feet and the latter extending just over 6 feet.

The new Frontier's infotainment system operates through a standard 8.0-inch or optional 9.0-inch touchscreen. A pair of physical knobs for adjusting the stereo's volume and tuning settings are present and located below the screen. The most desirable standard connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and several charging outlets that include a USB-C port. The Frontier can also be had with a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone charging. The sound system can also be upgraded to a nine-speaker Fender unit for additional cost.

Unlike its predecessor, the 2022 Frontier offers an assortment of driver-assistance technology as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360. Highlights include automatic high-beams, automated emergency braking, and class-exclusive rear automated emergency braking. For more information about the Frontier's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Other key safety features include:

Nissan offers competitive limited and powertrain warranties compared with other mid-size pickup trucks. However, almost every competitor—apart from the Honda Ridgeline—also includes some type of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

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