The midsize truck is seeing big gains in sales lately. Nissan has been offering a midsize truck for decades. However, it seems that it has been a long time since the Frontier has had a major rework — until now.
The vehicle’s exterior benefits from a new, more rugged look than before. A tough, new front-end style gives this truck a distinctive appearance. The new grill and lighting clusters now offer the Frontier a bit of curb appeal. Choosing the SV trim level seems to dress up the truck with 17-inch aluminum wheels and a rear bumper that comes in the body color. The rear cargo bed has sliding tie-downs for easy management.
Step inside the 2022 Frontier and you are met with a more modern interior than before. A larger touch screen and electronic dual-climate controls are welcome updates. However, the Nissan still has separate volume and tuning knobs. The Nissan Frontier SV trim level I tested came with leather-trimmed seats that provide better comfort than most other midsize trucks I have driven. Passengers in the back seat have decent comfort from the rear bench, but legroom is lacking some when compared to its competitors.
The redesigned Frontier is a nice-driving pickup that makes a good city or highway cruiser. The size makes it easy to maneuver in smaller spaces that larger trucks would find challenging. The V6 is a carry-over from before — and that’s a good thing. With good grunt, the Frontier has adequate power to get the job done. The transmission is very smooth when shifting.
Cost: As tested $42,985
MPG: 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway; I managed 19.2 mpg in 237 miles of mixed driving.
Options:$2,790 SV premium package; $1,990 SV convenience package; $990 technology package
Safety: Rear sonar system; ProPilot Assist & Navi link; steering assist; intelligent cruise control; automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; intelligent forward collision warning; rear automatic braking; blind spot warning; rear cross traffic alert; lane departure warning; intelligent lane intervention; high beam assist
Things to know: The Frontier is transformed into a modern midsize pickup that should be back on the radar if you need a capable and easy-to-drive package.
Pros:
- New styling will help the forgotten Frontier get noticed again
- Vastly improved interior with better materials and more style
- Easy to drive means the truck is comfortable in smaller spaces
Cons:
- Fuel economy is lower than other small trucks due to the V6
- Some wind noise at highway speeds
- Back seat leg room could be lacking for some
