2022 Nissan Frontier vs. 2021 Toyota Tacoma: Pro-4X or TRD Off-Road?

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We're sold on the looks and stats of the new 2022 Nissan Frontier, a truck that's been long overdue for a full-scale update. Meanwhile, we can't deny that the 2021 Toyota Tacoma remains a solid truck that we'd never kick out of our stable. Both midsize offerings have similarly capable off-road-ready features available in the form of the Pro-4X and the TRD Off-Road trims. Since the trims arguably have more in common than not, it seemed prudent to put the 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road side-by-side to investigate the basic similarities and differences.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is positioned above the SR, SR5, and TRD Sport, but below the Limited and TRD Pro grades. The TRD Off-Road is offered in five trims: two-wheel-drive Double Cab (four-door) with a six-speed automatic transmission and a five-foot bed; four-wheel-drive Access Cab (extended cab) with a six-speed automatic and a six-foot bed; four-wheel-drive Double Cab with a six-speed automatic, and either a five-foot bed or six-foot bed; and four-wheel-drive Double Cab with a six-speed manual and a five-foot bed. Its starting price is $35,510, and its best fuel economy is 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

Nissan kind of presents the 2022 Frontier Pro-4x as its own thing, positioning it above the S and SV grades. It's offered in one trim: four-wheel-drive Crew Cab (four-door) with a nine-speed automatic and a five-foot bed. We don't know about pricing or fuel economy, yet.

The takeaway? You can get a manual, two-wheel-drive extended cab TRD Off-Road Tacoma. (The Pro-4X isn't offered in two-wheel-drive because that's a separate thing called the Pro-X.)

The Toyota is offered with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan sports a 3.8-liter V-6 that boasts 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. That gives the Frontier a 32-hp advantage over the Tacoma and an additional (but realistically negligible) 16 lb-ft of torque.

The Toyota TRD Off-Road is backed by a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, whereas the Nissan features a nine-speed automatic. Some consider a manual transmission advantageous for off-roading, while others consider it unnecessarily burdensome.

The Tacoma TRD Off-Road is equipped with vented front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, whereas the 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X has four-wheel vented disc brakes. The Frontier Pro-4X has a fully boxed frame whereas the Toyota doesn't.

Comparably-configured new Frontiers and (older, tried-and-true) Tacomas are within inches of each other when it comes to dimensions.

Wheelbase:

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: 127.4 inches

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X: 126 inches

Length:

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: 212.3 inches

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X: 210.2 inches

Width:

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: 75.2 inches

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X: 73 inches

Height:

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: 70.6 inches

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X: about 72.4 inches

Let's get straight to the heart of these midsize truck off-road models. The 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X and 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road both feature Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and, of course, off-road suspension tuning. The TRD is suspended by 36-mm monotube Bilsteins and the Pro-4X features 46-mm monotube Bilsteins. Upgraded shocks can absorb the harder, prolonged hits of off-road terrain and are a staple to any off-road build.

The Pro-4X and TRD Off-Road both feature electronically locking rear differentials, another aspect that differentiates these off-road variants from lesser grades. The Pro-4X has a Dana-sourced rear axle.

The Pro-4X has three skid plates underneath to protect undercarriage vitals (front end, transfer case, and fuel tank) from rocks and debris. The TRD Off-Road doesn't mention skid plates as a specific feature, although a TRD front skid plate (in addition to tons of other accessories) is available for $499. Both trucks have fender flares that are both protective and look cool.

The Pro-4X has more than mechanical upgrades: LED headlights, LED fog lights, Lava Red accents, LED interior lighting, and a special Charcoal with Lava Red interior scheme are all included. The TRD Off-Road can be optioned with these LED upgrades, too.

A new Off-Road Mode integrated into the available surround-view camera ought to help Pro-4X drivers navigate technical trails without a spotter's help. The TRD Off-Road has its own techy off-road goodness with available features such as Toyota's Crawl Control (think cruise control for off-roading), a hill-start assist system, and more.

Wheels and tires—often highly abused while off-roading—are another element that these off-road-focused models address. The TRD Off-Road comes standard with 16-inch wheels mounted on 265/70R16 tires, while the Pro-4X comes with 17-inch wheels mounted on 265/70R17 all-terrain tires. That equates to the Pro-4X coming with 31.6-inch tall tires and the TRD Off-Road with 30.6-inch tall tires. The smaller wheel could allow for more tire sidewall, but the larger wheel may allow for more aftermarket tire options.

Overall, the 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road are both great options when it comes to factory off-road models. The question remains, though: Will Nissan come out with an even more off-road-focused Frontier trim to help its pickup better compete with the likes of the even tougher Tacoma TRD Pro?

This Nissan Frontier Outpost Camper Truck is a Shockingly Affordable Overlanding Rig

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Earlier this year we brought you news of the TruckHouse BCT Toyota Tacoma overlanding rig. The carbon-fiber clad, go-anywhere, do-anything home on wheels looked sweet, but the Toyota-based project also costs a ridiculous sum of money. If you want to bash some trails into the great outdoors without spending Lamborghini money—and don't mind skipping most of the BCT's luxury features—then maybe Caravan Outfitter has the Nissan Frontier-based overlanding truck for you. 

Compared to TruckHouse's work, the Caravan Outfitter's mods here are real straightforward. First, you need a truck. For Caravan, the truck in question is a 2020 Nissan Frontier—with the new 310-hp V-6 and nine-speed automatic transmission combo that'll appear in the heavily revised 2022 Frontier, as well. The primary enhancement listed by Caravan Outfitter is the Ikamper Skycamp Mini roof tent, which has been mounted on a massive Yakima-brand rack that sits atop the Nissan's pickup bed.

The Yakima rack also holds a set of recovery boards for getting the truck out of tight spots, and there is a Yeti Tundra 45-quart cooler—which you can only get if you pre-order the rig, for some reason—for getting you into relaxed, cold-beverage-enjoyment spots. Caravan Outfitter also adds a set of all-terrain tires to make the Frontier perhaps a touch better off-road while looking the business. And, that's it.

These upgrades might not seem like they amount to much, but you don't need to go all out to explore the outdoors (mostly, the onboard tent does the heavy lifting!). Plus, with the truck bed not taken up by an entire mini house, there's room for other off-road and adventure addenda that you might actually use while not sleeping. Sure, it's minimalist, but for $39,894—truck included—it ought to get the job done just fine.