The long-awaited next-generation Nissan Frontier is almost here. As other midsize trucks found themselves caught up in the battle over off-road prowess, aesthetics, and capability, the Frontier has continued on as a steady and perfectly fine, budget-friendly model for the last decade. Most of that is about to change.
The 2022 Nissan Frontier was introduced today showing off beefier looks, a robust engine, and modern design inside and out. Below, we’ve taken a closer look at the new truck and compared it to the outgoing model.
Exterior
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The changes to the Frontier from generation to generation are drastic. The new model features Titan-inspired design while the old model was more like the original Rogue in its aesthetic. Nissan describes the new truck and “thick” and “rugged”.
The new Frontier is five inches longer than the old, with most of that coming up front. The cab is mostly unchanged but the bed is taller and the belt line has been raised to shine light at just the right angle to make those who see it think of it as beefy.
Nissan’s hallmark V-Motion grille is nowhere to be found on this new model. Instead we have a honeycomb grille with Nissan’s new logo front and center. Shown first in the PRO-4X grade, the grille is blacked out with Lava Red accents on the logo.
The last-gen Frontier was only available with halogen headlights. At least on the PRO-4X, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights are standard.
The 2020 Frontier is available in paint colors including Cayenne Red Metallic, Magnetic Black Pearl, Gun Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Glacier White, and Arctic Blue Metallic. A new paint palette will be available on the new model. New Tactical Green Metallic and Boulder Gray Pearl join Glacier White, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Red Alert, Cardinal Red Metallic TriCoat, Deep Blue Pearl and Baja Storm for 2022.
Models
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The 2021 Frontier is sold in S, SV, and PRO-4X variants. Other Nissan have SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve grades. For the 2022 model year, Nissan will continue the trend, offering the Frontier in just three trim levels: S, SV, and PRO-4X. The PRO-4X grade comes with a unique equipment list that makes it especially capable off road.
Frame
The frame is the same. Nissan wishes to remind you that it has continued to update the frame over the course of the last-generation Frontier’s life. The chassis is the same too. However, the powertrain, steering, and suspension have been freshly tuned.
Nissan relays that new hydraulic cab mounts reduce road vibration by 80 percent over the outgoing generation, while class-exclusive urethane jounce bumpers provide improved damping for a smoother ride.
Bed
A 5-foot bed is standard on all Crew Cab models, with a 6-foot bed optional on Crew Cab SV Long Wheelbase models. A 6-foot bed is also standard on all King Cab models.
Powertrain
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
When the 2020 Frontier debuted, it was said that the 3.8-liter V6 under its hood was the engine of the next-gen truck. Nissan didn’t lie. The 2022 Frontier has the same engine, which is rated at 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. It’s the only engine Nissan will sell in the truck, making it he most powerful base engine you can get in a midsize pickup.
The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Nissan says, “With an expanded lockup area, a new high-response electro-hydraulic system, long input shaft and a 99 percent wider gear range (versus the previous Frontier five-speed design), the transmission offers quick, crisp and direct shift response throughout the entire gear range.”
Drivetrain
A two- or four-wheel drive Frontier was the option in the last-generation model and it will be the same with the new generation. For the first time, for the 2022 model year the Frontier PRO-4X will be offered with two-wheel drive.
Four-wheel drive 2022 Frontiers receive a shift-on-the-fly system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes that is operated by an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. This is unchanged from the 2021 model year.
2022 Frontier PRO-4X has an electronic locking differential, the same as the 2021 model. Other 4WD models get a four-wheel limited-slip system. Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are standard on all four-wheel drive models.
The PRO-4X model also has Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and underbody skid plates.
Towing
Like the last-generation, the new Frontier’s towing capacity is rated at up to 6,720 pounds (maximum, when properly equipped). The 2022 models get standard Trailer Sway Control, which is a fresh addition to the equipment roster.
Interior Design
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The new Frontier isn’t just new outside. Its inside has received an impressive redo as well. Let’s face it, the 2021 model is just o-l-d looking. The new one is fresh and funky with one exception. More on that further down.
There is new trim, finishers, and meter accents in the cab that are inspired by adventure gear. The PRO-4X brings Lava Red tones inside where they brighten up an otherwise black cabin.
There’s 4.0 liters of center console storage (that’s pretty spacious – nearly double what most midsize pickups offer), 5.7 liters of rear-door-pocket storage and 6.5 liters of front-door-pocket storage. Nissan says that there’s also storage on the top of the instrument panel.
Nissan has also reduced the noise, vibration, and harshness passed on to passengers by giving the 2022 Frontier improved rear carpet structure, front-door acoustic laminated glass, and standard Zero Gravity seats.
Infotainment
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The 2021 Nissan Frontier comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment touch screen and has an available 5.8-inch NissanConnect touch screen. A 9-inch infotainment touch screen is standard on all 2022 models. That’s the largest screen in the truck’s class. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard on the new truck.
The instrument panel of the 2021 Frontier was fully analog. In front of the driver of the 2022 model is a largest-in-class 7-inch Advanced Driver Assist Display offers configurable information. Some dials are still analog in the new truck.
Wireless smartphone charging and a Wi-Fi hot spot were not available in the 2021 model but are in the 2022, but only on PRO-4X models.
All 2022 Frontiers get two front USB ports (one Type-A, one Type-C) – the 2021 had just one Type-A port up front. There’s still two 12-volt power outlets and Siri Eyes Free. Two new 110-volt outlets are available on the Frontier SV and PRO-4X. Nissan is offering a Fender Premium Audio system with nine-speakers on those models as well. A Fender system was not available on the 2021 truck.
The 2022 Frontier is the first application of Nissan Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode. The new Off-Road Mode, which is exclusively available on Frontier PRO-4X, functions while the vehicle is moving forward at slow speeds and the 4WD system is in 4LO, ideal for negotiating tight trails without having an external spotter to avoid potential body scrapes or dents.
Safety
One of the biggest changes to Frontier aside from its appearance is its safety technology. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on the Frontier, as it is on many other Nissan models. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking.
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, rear seat occupant alert, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Easy Fill Tire Alert are also standard.
Adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and driver alertness technology are all available.
None of these were standard or available on the old truck.
Accessories
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
More than 85 Nissan and NISMO accessories are approved for the 2022 Frontier, including sports bar, off-road step rails with removable steps, NISMO suspension kit, off-road auxiliary lighting, ladder racks, and tents. More accessories are in development, and additional details will be available closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date.
Nissan developed a range of accessories for the 2021 truck, most of which carry over to the new.
The 2022 Nissan Frontier goes on sale this summer.
