Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma
In comparing the Nissan Frontier's and the Toyota Tacoma's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Frontier has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Toyota Tacoma has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma have the same interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Frontier's and the Toyota Tacoma's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Tacoma is a better car than the Nissan Frontier.
Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma Pricing
A used 2024 Nissan Frontier ranges from $33,403 to $47,741 while a used 2023 Toyota Tacoma is priced between $34,019 to $51,651. For a new model, the Nissan Frontier's price is between $34,396 and $48,902, with the Toyota Tacoma priced between $32,899 and $49,039.
Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Frontier loses 27.8 percent of its value and the Toyota Tacoma loses 13.8 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Tacoma retains 14 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Frontier.
Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan Frontier is 8.0 out of 10 while the Toyota Tacoma's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Nissan Frontier being ranked 6 out of 7 Best Midsize Trucks and the Toyota Tacoma being ranked 2 out of 7.
Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Nissan Frontier is 8.1 out of 10. For the Toyota Tacoma the reliability rating is 9.2 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Tacoma an advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Frontier.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Nissan Frontier’s base engine makes 310 horsepower, and the Toyota Tacoma base engine makes 159 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are comparable in regards to interior volume, and front head room.
Available Cab Types and Bed Lengths
Both the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma are available in Crew Cabor an Extended Cab configuration. The Nissan Frontier offers bed lengths of 58.9, 59.5, 72.7, and 73.3 inches, and the Toyota Tacoma offers bed lengths of 60.5 and 73.7 inches.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma have the same average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars.
Overview
An all-new Nissan Frontier arrived for the 2022 model year, replacing an aged midsize truck design whose only competitive advantage was its value pricing. While no spring chicken itself, the Toyota Tacoma is better in almost every way compared to the previous-gen Frontier. However, the new Frontier has leapfrogged the Tacoma in several key areas, including horsepower, ride quality, seat comfort, and interior storage. That said, the Tacoma possesses its own virtues, including a reputation for quality and reliability, legendary off-road ability, a healthy aftermarket offering numerous upgrades, and strong resale values. A new, base-model Frontier costs about $1,500 more than the entry-level Tacoma, but the top TRD Pro version of the Toyota will set you back nearly $9K more than the most expensive Frontier PRO-4X. While the fuel economy for the 4-cylinder Tacoma is slightly better than the Frontier’s standard V6, the latter offers much more power. If you prefer to shift your own gears, your only choice is the Tacoma.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$34,396 - $48,902
Used Asking Price:
$33,403 - $47,741
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
27.8%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$32,899 - $49,039
Used Asking Price:
$34,019 - $51,651
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
13.8%
Nissan Frontier Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Toyota Tacoma Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
9.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Nissan Frontier Rankings
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2 out of / 7Ranking
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7 out of / 7Toyota Tacoma Rankings
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1 out of / 7Ranking
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7 out of / 7Summary Review
The Nissan Frontier received a much-needed redesign for 2022, transforming it from the oldest to the newest truck in the midsize category. Its drivetrain, a 3.8-liter V6 with 310 horsepower connected to a 9-speed automatic transmission, was all new in 2021. Now the rest of the truck has caught up, giving the Frontier a stylishly-aggressive exterior design, high-quality interior materials, and a long list of advanced standard and optional technology.
Summary Review
Toyota’s Tacoma has been the sales leader in the midsize segment for decades. While other brands quit this market, Toyota continued to polish the gem that is the Tacoma pickup.
Pros and Cons
- Powerful engine mates to an advanced, capable transmission
- Appealing style, inside and out
- Wide range of standard and optional high-tech features
- Towing capacity weaker than many competitors
- Resale value not as strong as class leaders
Pros and Cons
- Wide range of trim levels and styles from affordable barebones to serious off-road
- Best in class retained value
- Strong track record of overall reliability
- Composite bed eliminates corrosion concerns
- Beware the recent few used years with transmission issues with some recent models
- Interior oddities like a low, flat seat
- Not as refined as most competitors, overdue for a full update
- Towing capability less than segment best
Available 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)
58.9 inches, 59.5 inches, 72.7 inches, 73.3 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
60.5 inches, 73.7 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Frontier Trim Levels
PRO-4X, PRO-X, S, SL, SV
Toyota Tacoma Trim Levels
Limited, SR, SR V6, SR5, SR5 V6, Trail Special Edition, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, TRD Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 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:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
310 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
281 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
1590 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
159 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
1685 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 23 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
422 / 485 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
26.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.4 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
85.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
34.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
24.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
85.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4367 lbs
Width:
84.1 inches
Height:
71.5 inches
Length:
210.2 inches
Wheelbase:
126 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3915 lbs
Width:
74.4 inches
Height:
70.6 inches
Length:
212.3 inches
Wheelbase:
127.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
265/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P245/75R16
