2022 Nissan Frontier enters the modern midsize truck world with big redesign

The new and revamped 2022 Nissan Frontier is here and ready to rock the boat in the midsize pickup segment. It brings eye-catching styling, a new V6 engine (that actually debuted in the old truck) and all the updated tech amenities you’d expect to find in a brand new truck today.

Let’s start with design, because this truck sure is a looker. There’s no light evolution going on here. This is a full-on revolution, and Nissan killed it. The PRO-4X off-road model you’re looking at here has some resemblance to a Tacoma TRD product, but it’s still safely Nissan’s truck. Designers say they were inspired by the “rough and rugged” Hardbody of the 1980s and 1990s. It’s no retro copycat, but the idea is there in its high shouldered fenders, tall face and flat hood. Any indication of friendliness is gone, and that was the intention.

The grille is wide, but it’s a reasonable height and size. Nissan’s double LED DRL and headlight design looks superb. However, it’s the absence of any lower bumper that exposes the big all-terrain tires and massive skid plate that really completes the look. Combine this with the red tow hooks, and the PRO-4X looks about as mean as a Chevy Colorado ZR2 does — do note that the ZR2 will be much more capable off-road.

As is the case with many pickups these days, the model name gets stamped into the rear tailgate in huge letters. When it comes to overall dimensions, though, this midsize truck isn’t as huge as others. The standard wheelbase of 126 inches hasn’t changed from one generation to the next. However, the overall length of the standard truck did balloon by five inches this year — Nissan says practically all of that is in the nose of the truck, which helps give it that imposing stance. That makes it nearly as long (or as long) as most of the other midsize trucks. We’ll also note that Nissan is still offering a long wheelbase version that stretches the gap by 13.8 inches. Cab configurations include the base King Cab and the roomier Crew Cab. An updated hydraulic steering system that offers a quicker rack than before was implemented to keep it feeling small and agile.

We’ve known what would be under the hood for a long while now. Nissan previously announced that the 3.8-liter V6 it introduced as a last-second update for the 2020 Frontier was destined for the next-gen truck, and it made good on that promise. The engine makes 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. In case you were curious about the possibility of a base four-cylinder, Nissan quashed talk of that with minimal demand being the reasoning. A nine-speed automatic transmission is the only one available — it’s the same transmission as the Titan uses. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. A new trailer sway control system is standard, and in its max towing configuration (rear-wheel drive S or SV trims) it can tow up to 6,720 pounds. That’s less than the Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator and Chevy/GMC twins can manage at their best — it nearly matches the Tacoma’s best, but is definitely on the way-low side of its class.

Supporting all that weight and new engine is an updated version of the outgoing Frontier’s frame. This truck chassis has been in use since the Frontier was totally new for the 2005 model year, meaning it’s about to go into its 18th year of duty. Nissan says it has continually updated the platform from the start, and updated it again for this generation. A larger front stabilizer bar, addition of a rear stabilizer bar and new jounce dampers for 2022 should all aid ride and handling. For more details on what’s new and Nissan’s rationale for sticking with it, check out this explainer post.