Dodge Dakota vs. Nissan Frontier
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Dodge Dakota and Nissan Frontier contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Dodge Dakota and the Nissan Frontier.
When comparing the Dodge Dakota's and the Nissan Frontier's specifications and ratings, the Dodge Dakota has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Nissan Frontier has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Dodge Dakota's and the Nissan Frontier's specifications and ratings, the Dodge Dakota is a better car than the Nissan Frontier.
Pricing: A used 2010 Dodge Dakota ranges from $6,452 to $16,991 while a used 2010 Nissan Frontier is priced between $7,889 to $16,981.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Dodge Dakota’s base engine makes 210 horsepower, and the Nissan Frontier base engine makes 152 horsepower. The Dakota is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 440 miles. The Frontier is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 485 miles. This gives the Nissan Frontier the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Dodge Dakota. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Dodge Dakota has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Nissan Frontier has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear head room.
Available Cab Types and Bed Lengths: Both the Dodge Dakota and the Nissan Frontier are available in Crew Cabor an Extended Cab configuration. The Dodge Dakota offers bed lengths of 64.9 and 78.8 inches, and the Nissan Frontier offers bed lengths of 59.5 and 73.3 inches.
Safety Ratings: The Nissan Frontier has an average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,755
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$19,357
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$15,345 - $28,450
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$17,540
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$19,357
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$15,345 - $28,450
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$11,755
Price Range:
$6,452 - $16,991
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$12,603
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$11,298 - $16,127
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
110,628
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,145
Price Range:
$7,889 - $16,981
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$12,603
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$11,298 - $16,127
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
64
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
143,755
# Good or Great Deals:
24
Dodge Dakota Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Nissan Frontier Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Dodge Dakota
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Frontier
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
5.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
1.9 - 15
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
5.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
1.9 - 15
Dodge Dakota Rankings
Not yet available
Nissan Frontier Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 7Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab
Available Bed Length(s)
64.9 inches, 78.8 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
59.5 inches, 73.3 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Dodge Dakota Trim Levels
Big Horn, Laramie, Lone Star, ST, TRX
Nissan Frontier Trim Levels
LE, PRO-4X, SE, SE V6, XE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
210 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
235 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
2000 lbs
Max Payload:
1810 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
152 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
171 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
1002 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 20 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 440 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 23 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
401 / 485 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Power outlet:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Power outlet:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
94.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
25.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
87.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4200 lbs
Width:
71.7 inches
Height:
68 inches
Length:
218.5 inches
Wheelbase:
131.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3678 lbs
Width:
72.8 inches
Height:
68.7 inches
Length:
205.5 inches
Wheelbase:
125.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P245/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P235/75R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue
Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat
Gray
Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat
Red
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat
Silver
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
White
Bright White Clear Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Red Brick
Silver
Radiant Silver
White
Avalanche
Interior Colors
Gray
Dark Slate Gray/Medium Slate Gray
Interior Colors
Gray
Graphite / Steel