2022 Nissan Frontier aims for traditionalists

My mom, or anybody in my family members, will tell you I’m a bit resistant to embracing transform. It is challenging. The newest Nissan Frontier is intended for persons like me.

With a TCC Rating of 5.6 out of 10, the 2022 Nissan Frontier outranks every direct mid-measurement pickup truck competitor on paper many thanks to a fresh style and fantastic proportions, uncomplicated-to-use switches, and a sturdy V-6 engine. But it has a compromised back again seat and packaging, worthless optional side phase rails, and lacks sure attributes at an highly-priced as-tested selling price of $46,965.

Just after shelling out a week hauling the spouse and children close to in the slushy Minnesota climate here’s what I realized about the 2022 Nissan Frontier.

Hit: New ample, but still ideal-sized

Trucks maintain escalating, but the Frontier did not for this newest era, which took 17 yrs to get there. The hottest Frontier isn’t absolutely new, just most of what you can see is, and the parts you just cannot see have been upgraded or improved. This is the same routine Nissan pulled with the latest Pathfinder and it labored out wonderful. With four complete doors on its crew taxi and a valuable ample 59.5-inch conventional duration bed, the Frontier Pro-4X basically match in my garage that was developed in 1997. That is a feat few pickups can reach mainly because they’ve all develop into so massive.

Miss out on: But packaging is compromised

The fact that the Frontier isn’t basically new does current some packaging inadequacies inside of the cab as the wheelbase has not improved (while all round size is up 5 inches). The again seat is still rated at 33 inches of legroom creating it a restricted, knees-up affair with a brief base cushion and upright seat back. It is an uncomfortable area to be for an grownup, and even my 6- and 8-year olds complained about the rear seat back again. Though, headroom’s generous many thanks to the roof liner becoming scalloped. The steering column tilts but does not telescope in the year 2022. I was in a position to get comfortable, but just scarcely, with the limited adjustment of the steering wheel. Your mileage may well change.

Hit: Thank you for the knobs and switches

In an period of touch panels and glossy black plastics, the Frontier sticks to the basics and retains issues uncomplicated. The local weather regulate is operated by large buttons and knobs that can be modified although wearing gloves. Participating the surround-look at digital camera procedure is effortless many thanks to a button found front and centre on the dashboard. The seat heater switches are rockers that offer a gratifying simply click when engaged. The rockers are borderline throwback and could be out of a components bin from 20 decades back, but they operate and the seat heaters will roast your bottom and backside in a lot less time than it takes to generate a mile.

Miss out on: It is lacking stuff

The 9.-inch touchscreen infotainment procedure seems to be the exact same made use of in other newer Nissans, for better and worse, but it is not. In the Frontier it’s lacking wireless Apple CarPlay. Nissan spokesperson Dan Passe told The Car or truck Relationship the absence of wi-fi CarPlay comes down to development schedules and the attribute may possibly arrive in long term design several years. Notably bothersome in Minnesota is the absence of a defroster on the rear window of the taxi, a characteristic that’s on most Ford Rangers and is a standalone choice for these that really do not have it. The taxi lights are perplexing. There is no way to convert on all the interior lights of the cab at the moment without the need of opening a doorway. Manually turning on all the entrance lights in the taxi does not change on the rears.

Hit: Sturdy V-6 engine

In an era of turbocharging in the name of electric power and effectiveness, the traditionalists will respect the Frontier’s sole motor choice: a the natural way-aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 with 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. It hardly ever would like for electric power, and pairs with the 9-velocity computerized transmission. The whole setup feels much much more modern day, and improved suited for the truck, with less drone than the V-6 powertrain in the Toyota Tacoma.

Skip: Do not decide for the action rails

My truck was equipped with the optional $750 stage rails. They get in the way. The truck is not high enough off the ground to want to use the step rails, but then there’s an awkward minute the place you have to stage in excess of them to get into the truck, or use them and be also high. They also accumulate snow and filth promptly.

For those who want a truck that appears to be like a truck, has a contemporary by natural means-aspirated V-6 motor in a established system with modern-day technology, the 2022 Nissan Frontier hits the sweet spot.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Crew Taxi 4×4

Base value: $29,015, such as $1,175 place
Selling price as examined: $46,965
Powertrain: 310-hp 3.8-liter V-6, 9-pace automated transmission, element-time four-wheel travel
EPA gasoline economy: 17/22/19 mpg
The hits: Looks like a truck, effortless-to-use controls, very good sizing, strong V-6 engine
The misses: Missing capabilities, awkward rear seat