2022 Nissan Frontier

Not gonna lie. The new Frontier looks really good. Glad they didn’t make it a wussie

 

yep...3.8L V6...it looks good...much better than whatever Nissan was coming out with lately.
lets see if aftermarket follows because the Tacoma is king there.

 

I wouldn't buy any Nissan made in the last 15 years. The French don't know anything about reliability.

 

Frankly, I wouldn't have any issues buying this if I needed a smaller truck, depending on how the transmission/engine feel. I'm *NOT* a fan of Nissan - EXCEPT for the Frontier. Everyone I have ever known who's had one has had nothing but praises to sing of them.

 

That's because the design of the previous one dates back to before Renault took over. Similar to the XTerra.

 

even the French prefer Toyotas over Nissan..that says it all..haha

 

a cab hit my truck a couple of years ago and my loaner was a Frontier. it was immediately noticeable that it was a piece of shit. hopefully they redesigned it top to bottom because it felt like a truck from the 90's.

 

Ummm...

- the baguette
- hairy armpits on girls
- the Maginot Line
- french tanks circa 1940 - 1941

 

My dad owns a 2016 Frontier and loves it. Drives it every day and hasn't had a single problem with it. I mostly like the looks of this new one, but the front end has such a weird look from the side profile. The nose just looks long and flat, kind of like the Titan.

 

I am forever jaded against Nissan after owning a 2005 Titan......bought it used in 2007 when it had 19,000 miles and impeccable service records. Had almost every major component fail under the warranty period - axle seals, rear axle assembly, front differential, rear differential, ABS module and transmission. Got rid of it when i had to replace the ABS module twice in 4000 miles after the warranty expired. Couldn't activate 4wd without the ABS module on the Titan. It spent more time in the shop waiting for parts then I did driving it.

 

I had a great Japanese vehicle mechanic when I lived in Orlando. He worked on all Jap vehicles but he old me he would only buy Toyota and Honda. I asked him about Nissan and he said their quality wasn't great.

My step dad has an 05 Frontier he bought new that's been a pretty good vehicle up until now. At 210k miles it seems the transmission is on the way out. He replaced the cats once at the dealer and they need to be replaced again. That was surprising.

 

I'm gonna do some necromancy on this dead topic.

One of my hobbies is window shopping for vehicles. It's fun to see what's out there, but then there's always the risk of learning something that shifts your perspective. This is where I find myself regarding the new Nissan Frontier. In 2019 I had originally wanted a midsize truck but their prices were so close to the 1/2 ton market that I splurged and got a Tundra. I love it, but It's been almost 3 years and that's usually when I start wanting a new vehicle.

It's dumb, bad idea financially, blah blah blah. Still, this is where I'm at: Do I look around for a deal on a second vehicle for fun (Love me the Challenger and higher gas prices might push their prices down), or do I take a serious look at possibly replacing my Tundra? Quick bit of research on my needs puts the Frontier in as the only really viable option. Should be a lateral move as far as debt, possibly even come out ahead, definitely reduce payment size making it easier to pay off, unlikely to impact insurance much, and slightly better MPGs, but who's counting those?


TLDR: I'm actually considering downsizing to a Frontier. Advice, pros/cons, experience to share?



Looks like it will readily exceed my towing needs.

https://youtu.be/V4UrFsydoSE

 

Every time i see a frontier on the road i wonder if i could downsize. Its the best looking truck for sale right now

 

Nissans trucks (and their whole fleet in general) were JUNK in 1980. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand................................YUP. Still junk today in 2022.

 

Thing is, I really can downsize. I don't need or use more truck than what the Frontier is... but I love my Tundra. I love the huge cabin, the V8 dinosaur roar, the look. It'd purely be to scratch the itch of wanting to buy a new vehicle without increasing my debt that would cause it.

I try not to make decisions on the weeks I work nights, so it's all speculation right now. I might go yesterday drive some stuff on my week off and see if I could really be happy with it.

 

As long as no change in debt doesn’t just mean no change in payments, then why not.

 

Thank you for that informative and thorough explanation. It's so tedious when people just give generic opinions on things without context.

 

Only way I'd do it would be as a lateral move.

Not taking on more debt and losing my Tundra. If I'm taking on added debt then I'm getting a Challenger and keeping my Tundra.

 

@Black Wolf has one.

 

I think the Frontier is one of the best looking if not the best, looking mid-size in the market. My buddy owned a 2009 Xterra that he never washed or really maintained well at all. He got 200k out of it with minimal cost.

Honestly their are times I wonder if I should have purchased a Tacoma double cab or even purchased the double Frontier…. With only a 6.5 bed, never going to midget bed again (5.5 anything). I am only towing ATVs and such, no travel trailers or excavators. But then reality sets in…the Tundra simply rides nicer than any generation of Tacoma and any generation of 4Runner. And it even rides better than my wife’s 2016 Highlander (her opinion well before I even mentioned it out loud). My children have a ton more room in the DC Tundra than any double cab midsize could even dream of offering.

Admittedly I will never use the Tundra anywhere nears it full potential but it’s perfect for my family. Personally the only thing I would gain is better gas mileage which simply is worth the benefits of EVER going midsize in the near future.

Regardless it’s a really nice truck…

 

All good points. Fuel economy isn't a huge thing to me, being single I can afford the gas. I haven't ever actually driven any of the midsized trucks, so part of this might just be the curiosity factor.

 

LOL I totally disagree. 22 Frontier build quality is great. The Taco is what's not up to par anymore. Under powered and interior sucks. LOL. Brilliant post...

 

I’ve been eyeing to downsize to the 22 Frontier myself, but I have serious reservations.

My family was all Nissan, three Altimas, a 98, 02, and 2010. We had so many issues. The 98 had transmission problems and alternator issues, repeatedly. The 02 rusted out around the rear window, and also had transmission problems. My father had the 2010 with a cvt transmission and Nissan kept extending the warranty all the way to 125k miles. His died at 126k and Nissan would not take care of him. After that we all swore off Nissan.

The Frontier would have to be one hell of a truck to make me try Nissan again.

 

Had a 2022 Frontier crew cab as a rental for 4 days. Driving impressions:
Pros
1. Compared to the Taco, this thing is a rocket. Great motor and trans tuning and great power.
2. exterior looks are subjective, but this new style is generally regarded as nice. I think it looks great.

cons
1. Interior, although tech is updated, feels just like a 2006 model.
2. suspension and chassis feels just like a 2006 because guess what. It is. This is not an all new truck.
3. same size interior as a 2006. At least in the feels dept.
4. If you haven’t driven one (or pretty much any new Nissan lately) apparently they stopped putting power steering on this truck. Steering effort is ridiculous.

those observations aside, I have no doubt that these will be serviceable steeds. I’ve always liked the hardbody and frontier for their utility and ability to take abuse.

 

Heavy steering is a common comment, and is apparently due to hydraulic steering while most other vehicles are electronically controlled. Apparently it helps with stable, straight tracking, and improves road feel, though. Definitely something to pay attention to.

 

Renault didn't take over Nissan. It's an "alliance" that also includes Mitsubishi. Three heads are better than one as they say. Nissan still makes Nissans. Frontier is made in Canton, Mississippi btw. Not France. Taco's and Tundra's aren't even sold in France. Not even Frontiers. Hilux and Navarra's are tho. There's so much disinformation here. LOL

 

This^^^ I prefer hydraulic over almost having no feel at all. I'm old have have driven trucks without power steering. That's stiff.

 

The fully boxed F Alpha frame has proven to be solid over the years. Beefed up even more for 22. Yota finally went to a boxed frame after all these years. The interior was another selling point for me. 7" info screen and 8" stereo/nav screen. 9" in in the Pro4x. I found it up to date compared with other midsized trucks, except the Taco which is totally outdated in many areas. Nissan Zero Gravity seats are the best offered in
any midsized truck. The previous gen Frontier was long in the tooth like the Tundra was. Steering is not a problem at all for me. I prefer being able to feel the road.

 

When I say heavy, I don’t mean just the opposite of light. I’m talking like my dads 77 Chevy with no power steering. Steering effort is a problem at low speeds, parking lot maneuvers etc. requires 2 hands on the wheel to turn. Ridiculous. The Altima is the same way. It bothered me the most while driving the truck. Something that would “steer” me away from choosing one.

 

I'm old and remember driving without power steering all the time. That was true steering effort. I have no issues at all steering my Frontier. None. lol. People get used to having no "feel" at all with totally effortless electronically controlled steering. A huge negative when four wheeling. Having no feel at all is what I find to be ridiculous. A matter of preference of course and intirely subjective according to use and need.