It’s a new territory for the Frontier, i.e. the 2022 Nissan Frontier. And a welcome one too, we should point out. The midsize pickup gets a major overhaul inside and out though the powertrain stays the same.
Under the hood is ensconced a 3.8-liter V-6 direct-injection engine that cranks out 310
horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 281 pounds-feet of torque @ 4400 rpm. The good news is that the former 5-speed transmission has been swapped with an impressive 9-speed
auto gearbox. And tow capacity is a respectable 6,720 pounds.
An all-steel double wishbone front and solid axle in the rear make up the suspension
system, resulting in a secure ride. The power rack-and-pinion steering system shifts
seamlessly. That brings us to some of the abundant standard safety features in the
pickup: dual front and side airbags, front knee airbags, side airbag curtain, four-wheel
antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and vehicle dynamic control, hill start
assist and descent control, rearview monitor, front/rear crumple zones, front seat active
head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights. Our PRO 4- X version was equipped with a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive with 2WD/4H/4LO
modes, electronic rear differential, Bilstein off-road shock absorbers, and steel skid
plates to tackle the vigor of off-road driving.
The sporty look of the fully boxed ladder frame Frontier can be attributed to an angled
and black grille flanked by LED headlights, fogs and daytime running lights. Other
distinct exterior traits include a visible red Nissan emblem, large bumpers, short front
and rear overhangs, tailgate spoiler and a roof rack with crossbars. It sits on standard
17-inch all-terrain alloy wheels with a 59.5-inch-long bed in the Crew Cab. Stepping into the roomy and pleasing cabin is trouble-free, thanks to full-size, forward-hinging doors.
Push-button start is standard. The large nine-inch touch screen with nav, phone and
infotainment controls is easy to use! So are the sizeable climate control buttons. The
60/40 rear seat flips up to reveal a hidden stowage bin. Dual auto a/c, leather shifter,
manual tilt steering wheel, power door locks, cruise control, heated six-way power driver and four-way manual passenger seats, overhead sunglass holder, and satin chrome ring accents around the white-faced analog gauges come at no extra cost.
Packing tons of power with ample creature comforts and praiseworthy towing figures
prove that the all-new Frontier is better equipped to make inroads into the midsize truck segment. And if you plan to take this highly capable pickup off the beaten path, go for the PRO-4X.
FRONTIER (PRO-4X)
Wheelbase: 126 inches
Length: 210.2 inches
Width: 74.7 inches
Height: 72.9 inches
Weight: 4,708 pounds
Fuel capacity: 21 gallons
City: 17 mpg
Highway: 22 mpg
Base price: $37,240
Price as tested: $46,570
Website: www.nissan.com