Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier finally shed its long-in-the-tooth reputation when the current generation arrived for 2022, bringing modern styling and a single, strong V6 engine. It targets buyers who want a genuine body-on-frame midsize truck with real off-road hardware in PRO-4X trim, useful towing capacity, and Nissan's straightforward approach. It skips fancy multi-engine menus and plug-in gimmicks, instead leaning on proven mechanicals, a roomy crew cab, and pricing that undercuts pricier rivals while still feeling thoroughly contemporary inside.

Under the hood, every Frontier runs the same 3.8-liter V6 making 310 horsepower paired to a nine-speed automatic. It is one of the more generous standard powertrains in the segment, delivering confident highway merging and a maximum tow rating of roughly 6,720 pounds when properly equipped. The trade-off is fuel economy that trails four-cylinder and turbo rivals, landing around 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for rear-drive models. There is no manual gearbox and no diesel or hybrid option, which keeps the lineup simple but limits efficiency-minded shoppers.

On the road the Frontier feels solid and truck-like rather than carlike. The ride is firm over broken pavement, especially on PRO-4X models riding on Bilstein shocks and chunky tires, but it settles down nicely on the highway. Steering is accurate if light on feedback, and the body-on-frame structure transmits the usual midsize-truck shimmy over expansion joints. Off-road, the PRO-4X earns its keep with an electronic locking rear differential, hill descent control, skid plates, and genuine trail composure that makes it a credible Tacoma alternative.

Inside, Nissan modernized the cabin with available 9-inch touchscreen running wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, supportive Zero Gravity seats, and physical climate controls that are refreshingly easy to use. Material quality is decent for the class, though hard plastics dominate the lower dash and the rear seat of the Crew Cab is upright and tight on legroom compared with some competitors. Storage cubbies are plentiful and the available 10-speaker Fender audio system is a pleasant surprise.

Value is where the Frontier makes its case. Standard safety tech, a punchy V6 across the board, and competitive pricing mean you get a lot of capability per dollar. It does not offer the bewildering configuration choices of a Chevrolet Colorado or the resale legend of a Toyota Tacoma, but as a no-nonsense work-and-play truck the Frontier is easy to recommend and easy to live with.