Those looking to purchase a new mid-size truck are spoiled for choice. Two of the best options in this segment both have Japanese origins. We are, of course, talking about the 2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2024 Nissan Frontier. For the first time since 2016, the Toyota Tacoma has been given a redesign for 2024, and the Nissan Frontier had a makeover in 2022.

Both trucks have plenty of nifty features that help them stand out in their segment; they’re highly capable and offer unmatched reliability. Toyota’s trucks are famous for thriving in the most inhospitable environments on the planet. However, unlike the 2024 Nissan Frontier, the 2024 Tacoma won’t be available with a six-cylinder engine, so this will undoubtedly be an interesting comparison.

Let’s take a closer look at the 2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2024 Nissan Frontier from the land of the rising sun and see how they stack up against each other.

Price

The brand-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma will be available in eight trim levels, starting with the base model, the SR. From there, buyers can choose between the SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. The base 2024 Toyota Tacoma trim is available in a four-door double cab or a new two-door XtraCab configuration. The XtraCab version has two seats, a 6-foot bed, and plenty of rear cabin storage area.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma base model MSRP starts at $32,995. Toyota has yet to release prices for the two top-trim options, but the most expensive TRD Pro is expected to land somewhere in the region of $65,000. If you’re looking for the best value for your money, the SR5 model is the one to go for, as it has a respectable amount of features for $37,695.

The 2024 Nissan Frontier lineup consists of six trim levels: S, SV, Pro-X, Pro-4X, SL, and Hardbody Edition. The S and SV trims are available in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, whereas the others are only available in the Crew Cab configuration. The official MSRP of the 2024 Nissan Frontier base model starts at $29,770, and the Frontier SL Crew Cab 4×4 comes in at $42,640. The SV trim offers the best value for money, starting at $33,870 and going all the way to $39,700, depending on the spec.

Interior dimensions

Inside, the new Tacoma has received a much-needed redesign. Its predecessor only offered 32.6 inches of legroom in the second row, but the new 2024 version has 33.7 inches. It now has a raised seating position with added headroom, which also helps make it more comfortable.

The 2024 Tacoma XtraCab only pairs with the six-foot cargo bed, but the Double Cab can also be had with a shorter five-foot version. Specific cargo space specifications for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma are still unknown, but Toyota says there’s a 7% increase in bed volume.

They’ve also maximized the interior storage space by adding more space under the rear seat on the gas models – Toyota says it has three times more under-seat storage space than the outgoing model. There’s a foldable back seat for additional loading surface, and at the front, there’s a shelf in the instrument panel.

As for the Nissan Frontier, its standard bed is slightly smaller than the one on the Double Cab Tacoma, but the Frontier’s long bed offers more space. Whereas the two-door King Cab is exclusively fitted with the 6-foot bed, Crew Cab versions can be had with both the short and long bed. Inside, the Frontier has 42.3 inches of legroom at the front but only 26.2 or 33.2 inches in the rear, which is too tight for most adults. There’s also a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat that comes with under-seat storage.

Fuel economy

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is only available with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but the higher trims do get more power. The most fuel-efficient of all the Tacoma trims is the SR5 with rear-wheel drive and automatic transmission. It manages 21 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG combined. The rear-wheel drive SR trim delivers 1 MPG less in the city but is otherwise identical. If you go with 4×4 for either of those trims, you will lose 2 MPG across the board.

Those who want the 4×4 SR with a manual transmission will only see 18 MPG in the city, 23 on the highway, and 20 MPG combined. The Tacoma TRD Sport trim with rear-wheel drive manages 20 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG combined, but with the 4×4 version, the numbers drop to 19 MPG in the city, 23 on the highway, and 20 MPG combined. Choosing the manual-equipped TRD Sport non-hybrid i-Force will see the city MPG drop by one. The Limited i-Force trim comes in at 20 MPG in the city, 23 on the highway, and 21 combined, and it’s exclusively available as a 4×4 with automatic transmission.

Nissan’s 2024 Frontier also comes with only one available powerplant, in this case, a 3.8-liter V6, and its fuel consumption is comparable to what the Tacoma delivers. The rear-drive Nissan Frontier manages 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, for a combined 21 MPG. Adding 4×4 will see those numbers drop to 17 MPG in the city and 22 on the highway, for a combined 19 MPG.

The Toyota Tacoma’s turbocharged four-cylinder unit offers slightly better fuel economy, which could be a deciding factor when gasoline prices are high.

Performance

As we’ve already mentioned, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma lineup replaces the predecessor’s V6 engine with a more powerful and efficient turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. The new Toyota unit produces 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque when fitted in the base trim. In the SR5 and higher trims, it produces 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque with the manual transmission or 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with the automatic.

As expected, the TRD lineup has the highest performance, thanks to Toyota’s iFORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. This adds a 48-hp electric motor that works alongside the 4-cylinder engine, and the total output is 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. This option is only available with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota hasn’t yet revealed max tow ratings and payload capacities for all Tacoma trims, but the automatic-equipped iForce powertrain is rated to tow up to 6,500 pounds or haul up to 1,705 pounds. The hybrid iForce Max has a 6,000-pound tow rating and can haul up to 1,709 pounds. Unfortunately, this means the Tacoma isn’t as capable of towing or hauling as most of the competition.

Unlike Toyota, Nissan decided to go down the naturally aspirated route, and the Frontier’s 3.8-liter V6 engine produces a rather impressive 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine the carmaker introduced in the 2020 Frontier, and it’s paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or 4×4. Unfortunately, the Frontier doesn’t offer a manual transmission or a hybrid powertrain like the 2024 Tacoma.

The Frontier performs better than the lower-spec Tacomas, but once you move up the trim levels, the Tacoma will outperform it, delivering better fuel economy to boot. One area the Frontier does have the Tacoma beat is its towing capacity, rated at 6,720 pounds. That’s still not as good as the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Jeep Gladiator, though. The Nissan Frontier can only carry a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds, which is less than the hybrid Tacoma.

Features

Toyota’s redesign for the 2024 Tacoma also means it gets a new interior design and packaging. The Tacoma has a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard. Moving up the trim levels gets you a larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Both the available infotainment systems feature wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Toyota has also integrated other features, such as a Qi wireless charging pad and USB-C data and charging ports. Higher Tacoma trims also get the premium JBL 10-speaker audio system, including a portable JBL FLEX speaker and an externally coupled subwoofer.

All 2024 Tacomas feature the newest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and Toyota Connected Services. The Nissan Frontier uses a 7.0-inch color display and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and the higher Frontier trims receive a larger 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Both versions use a pair of old-school physical knobs for tuning and volume settings, which is a much better option than putting all the controls on the screen itself. The Frontier comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and higher trims have extra features, such as wireless Apple CarPlay, a wireless device charging pad, a Fender premium sound system with ten speakers, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Both manufacturers offer very similar warranties. There’s the three years / 36,000 miles basic warranty, five years / 60,000 miles drivetrain warranty, and five years / unlimited miles corrosion warranty. As for roadside assistance, Toyota offers two years / unlimited miles, while Nissan provides three years / 36,000 miles.

2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2024 Nissan Frontier: Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s hard to go wrong with either truck, but Toyota’s more recent upgrades to the Tacoma put it slightly ahead of the Frontier on tech, performance, and interior quality. There’s also the matter of choice, where the Toyota is offered in several more configurations and in a dedicated overlanding trim. It took Toyota way too long to update the truck, but now that the new model is here, it’s a compelling option.