The 2020 Frontier, the final model year of the current generation, will have best-in-class horsepower1 and provide a variety of other features.
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Nissan Frontier Pro-4X: New Sheetmetal Later, More Power Now
Trim levels for the 2020 Frontier are S, SV, and Pro-4X. Both the S and SV are available with rear- or four-wheel drive and in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles. My test vehicle is a Pro-4X, which is only offered as a Crew Cab and with four-wheel drive. The Pro-4X, which went from $34,475 to $38,745, is the most costly Frontier model.
The new material is now complete. Everything else remains the same, including the truck’s appearance, which features an angled front grille, short front and back overhangs, and substantial fender flares. The Frontier actually has a largely unchanged appearance from more than ten years ago. identical inside. It is made of strong plastics and has the same fundamental design as it did more than ten years ago. They weren’t terrible in 2010, but the Frontier is the only truck with an outdated inside. But concerning the cockpit, I will say this: People that use their Frontiers for work or for roughhousing around the woods don’t give a damn about the quality of the materials, etc. They are concerned with durable, useful cockpits. The cabin is quite functional, with plenty of nooks for things like water bottles and other items as well as a few excellent storage bins hidden under the back seats.
The driving feel is unquestionably dated, with the exception of the new engine and transmission. What alternative outcome is possible? The new V6 is a nice upgrade from the outdated 4.0-liter, has adequate power across the rpm range, and a smoother, quicker nine-speed transmission than the previous one.
Surprisingly, the Frontier Pro-4X can tow 6,290 pounds, which is 160 pounds less than it could last year. The Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×2 has the highest towing capacity at 6,640 pounds. Payloads for the 4X and S trims range from 1,020 pounds to 1,460 pounds. For comparison, the maximum towing capacity of the Chevy Colorado is 7,000 pounds, while the Ford Ranger can tow 7,500 pounds when properly outfitted.
Now the old school comes into play: On the freeway, the truck makes a lot of noise and bops around town with joy. The wind whirling over the antenna—yes, I said antenna—proves once again how outdated the vehicle is by making some of that noise The slowest steering I’ve experienced in a while, combined with the soft suspension and the considerable body motion it creates, are the main culprits of the handling feeling sloppy. The good news is that the truck is not overly bothered by Detroit potholes. Don’t mistake any of the aforementioned for complaining, by the way. A part of me admires the truck’s retro appeal, and if I were shopping for a small-ish work truck, I might consider the Frontier. Like operating a brand-new classic automobile.
There will be no more criticism of the Frontier’s over ten-year-old look because the new powertrain from the 2020 Frontier will continue over into a brand-new Frontier the following year. Act right away if you want a new or old Frontier.
Usman Raynal
Wes Raynal, who was born and reared in Detroit, has been a lifelong auto enthusiast.
Due to the new standard V-6, the Nissan Frontier’s base price increased by $7500.
The base model of the 2019 Frontier comes standard with a four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission, but all 2020 Frontiers come with a new 3.8L V-6 and 9-speed automated.
- The base variant of the 2020 Nissan Frontier, which features a new engine, is significantly more expensive than it was in 2018.
- There is no longer a base four-cylinder model available for the Frontier, which now comes standard with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission in place of the previous 4.0L and five-speed.
- While a brand-new model is set to debut for the 2021 model year, the 2020 Frontier is anticipated to arrive on dealer lots in July.
The Nissan Frontier has started the transition to the following generation for 2020. The starting price has increased from $20,385 for the 2019 model to $27,885 due to new engine and transmission components. The main cause of this significant price increase is the fact that the base model 2020 Frontier now includes a V-6 engine and automatic transmission, while the base model 2019 Frontier just had a four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission. The price increases are minimal for trim levels and configurations that are more comparable.
Both the previously standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine and the optional 2.5-liter inline-four engine, which came with an antiquated five-speed automatic transmission, have been phased out by Nissan. A new 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque comes standard on all 2020 Frontiers, along with a nine-speed automated transmission. This is a 49-horsepower improvement over the V-6 model from the previous year, with no change in torque.
According to EPA estimations, the Frontier’s new powertrain significantly improves fuel efficiency in city and highway driving for both rear- and four-wheel-drive variants. 24 mpg on the interstate and 18 mpg in the city are the ratings for the rear-wheel-drive configuration, while 23 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city are the ratings for the four-wheel-drive option. These improvements bring the Frontier’s fuel efficiency closer to those of its rivals, including the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
Nissan no longer offers the Desert Runner and SL grades; instead, the S, SV, and Pro-4X models are the only ones still available. The off-road capable Pro-4X trim is only available with four-wheel drive and in the Crew Cab format, whereas the S and SV are available in both King Cab and Crew Cab variants with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Price increases from $34,475 to $38,585 for the most costly Frontier model, the Pro-4X.
Power windows, a tilt steering wheel, and power door locks, which were previously optional on base models of the 2019 Frontier, are now standard on the 2020 Frontier. In July of this year, the 2020 Frontier is expected to arrive at dealer lots.
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The 2020 Frontier is available in three different trim levels: base S, mid-grade SV, and off-road-capable PRO-4X.
Discover the best Nissan offers in the introduction!
An ancient car that has been restored yet uses contemporary mechanical parts is known as a “restomod.” Similar to that is the 2020 Nissan Frontier, an outdated design with a completely new engine and transmission.
The Nissan Frontier midsize pickup truck had its most recent facelift for the 2005 model year. Just before Americans went to the polls to chose George W. Bush against John Kerry for a second term in government, it appeared in showrooms. Facebook was still only accessible to students. Every kid’s holiday wish list included Bratz. iPods were extremely popular.
Today, the Frontier of the present generation would be qualified to obtain a driver’s license.
What is the situation with the new engine and transmission, then? A new Frontier will be released soon, but its engine was already completed. Nissan decided not to wait and instead fitted the old truck with the new 3.8-liter V-6 and 9-speed automatic, producing an oddly appealing one-off that will probably only be made for one model year.
The 2019 Frontier’s old V-6 and sputtering 4-cylinder have been replaced by a mechanical heart transplant. The 2020 Nissan Frontier is still offered in King Cab and Crew Cab body types with a short or long cargo bed and is available in S, SV, Midnight Edition, and PRO-4X trim levels.
Is it worthwhile to buy a 2020 Nissan Frontier?
The Nissan Frontier used to be an affordable pickup, but with this new engine, the starting price has increased to roughly $26,000. The 2020 Nissan Frontier’s price premium might not be justified given that the 2019 model, which is recognized as a reliable work truck, starts at roughly $19k and features less technological and interior improvements.
What is the lifespan of a 2020 Nissan Frontier?
Yes, you can get a trustworthy vehicle with the 2020 Nissan Frontier. J.D. Power has given it a predicted dependability rating of 4.5 out of 5. With the right care and maintenance, a Nissan Frontier will often survive for more than 200,000 kilometers.
According to some Nissan Frontier owners, their vehicles traveled beyond 250,000 and 300,000 kilometers. So before purchasing a used Frontier model, be sure to check the car’s past. 2020 options can still have low mileage.
A new 3.8-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque was added to the 2020 Frontier. Therefore, we are interested in how it functions after being subjected to long-term testing. There haven’t been any complaints about the 2020 model yet on the CarComplaints forum.
Will Nissan ever make changes to the Frontier?
The most recent 2022 Frontiers only recently began leaving the plant, according to Autotrader, two weeks ago. With their angular features and striking appearance, they look great!
The basic 3.8-liter V6 engine in the new Frontier is dependable and rather quiet. It has 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, which are greatest in class.
A nine-speed automatic transmission is connected to the engine. There are options for 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.
This pickup truck’s next generation will finally have more advanced technologies than its forerunners. It incorporates a collision-avoidance system and a 7-inch driver assistance display on the instrument panel. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
Compared to the previous model, the 2022 Frontier is about five inches longer. It remains one of the more compact midsize vehicles available, but avoiding bigger trucks may have advantages.
How durable are Nissan Frontiers?
A Nissan Frontier should have at least 100,000 miles on it. Nissan Frontier can last between 7.5 and 10 years if you drive between 10,000 and 15,000 miles annually on average. If the Nissan Frontier is properly maintained and cared for, it will last longer.
Are the frontiers for 2022 good?
The redesigned 2022 Frontier is a far better vehicle by almost every metric, which is fantastic news. It is a more capable, comfortable, and well-equipped truck than the outdated Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, and even while it isn’t a complete redesign, it is still quite competitive in its class.
It’s important to note that Nissan decided against expanding the Frontier’s size, which would have made it harder to operate, park, and store in a garage. Instead, Nissan decided to preserve the Frontier’s current footprint.
The drawback of such a long overdue update is that it cost a lot of money to bring the Frontier into the current day by adding all of the new safety devices and technology. New costs have advanced significantly as well, increasing by about $9,000 in total.
The 2022 Nissan Frontier has a lot of positive aspects, but it also has some drawbacks. Check out Aaron Bragman’s whole assessment at the link above for our in-depth analysis. For a condensed version, see the list below of six positive aspects and four negative aspects of the 2022 Frontier.
Are the engines in Nissan Frontiers reliable?
The new 305 horsepower V-6 is incredibly strong and smooth, offering good torque at low RPMs. It adores high revs. For this reason alone, Nissan’s redesign of the Frontier will compete in the midsize pickup truck sector!
Although the engine is strong, it is very quiet. It has strong acceleration at all speeds, which makes it ideal for passing on the freeway or navigating intersections with other vehicles.
The powertrain performs admirably in the majority of circumstances, however it suffers on slopes while hauling large loads up steep climbs.
Although these are some advantages of Nissan’s new Frontier engine, what about its capacity for towing?
The Frontier can carry up to 1,460 pounds of payload. Crew Cabs can pull up to 6,500 lbs., while King Cab variants can tow up to 6,720 lbs.
Almost every other tiny pickup truck in its class offers superior capacities for towing and carrying heavy loads, making this model less impressive. The gap is often substantial.
Mid-size pickups from Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, and Jeep can each tow 7,500 lbs. Additionally, the payload capacity is up to 1600 lbs, so you could fit a lot of items and maybe your entire family inside!