The all-new 2022 Nissan Frontier is finally here. The new 3rd-generation truck just started production at the Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi. Nissan says the new trucks will start reaching dealerships starting in early September 2021. The midsize pickup truck segment is growing quickly in the United States. Just in the first six months of 2021, the midsize truck sales volume grew by more than 29%. The Toyota Tacoma is still the dominant sales leader. Toyota sold about 139,000 Tacomas in the first half of 2021. What has Nissan done to take the fight to Toyota, Ford, GM, Jeep, Honda, and others! Let’s compare the two trucks side by side.
Here is the 2022 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma – by the numbers:
| 2022 Nissan Frontier | 2022 Toyota Tacoma | |
| Engine | 3.8L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
| Power | 310 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 278 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 265 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed auto | 6-speed auto / 6-speed manual |
| Length | 210.2 to 224.1 in. | 212.3 to 225.5 in. |
| Width | 73.0 in. | 74.4-75.2 in. |
| Height | 71.7-72.4 in. | 70.6-71.6 in. |
| Max. Towing | 6,720 lbs. | 6,800 lbs. |
| Max. Payload | 1,610 lbs. | 1,685 lbs. |
| Ground Clearance | 8.9 to 9.8 in | 9.4 in |
| Approach Ang. | 32.3 deg (P4X) | 35.0 deg (TRD Pro) |
| Breakover Ang. | 19.6 deg (P4X) | 23.9 deg (TRD Pro) |
| Departure Ang. | 23.0 deg (P4X) | 23.9 deg (TRD Pro) |
The Nissan Frontier is offered in the following trim levels: S, SV, SV long wheelbase, Pro-X, and Pro-4X. The truck is offered with just one engine and transmission configuration. Toyota offers a four-cylinder gas engine and a manual transmission option for their V6-powered trucks. Toyota also has several more trim levels and special editions to choose from. The new Nissan Frontier is likely to add more special editions and choices in the coming years, but this is all we have for now.
What is that new clever feature in one of these trucks? We think it’s the portable Kicker speaker/stereo that can mount in the bed of the new Frontier (or in the bed of any older Nissan Frontier or Nissan Titan truck).
Lots more driving reviews and 2022 Frontier pricing information will be available on August 10, 2021. We cannot wait to get the new Frontier in Colorado and put it through a series of tough tests.
