2020 Nissan Frontier vs 2019 Ford F-150

The 2019 Ford F-150, carrying forward the praised design from its 2015 redesign, kept its impressive and modern aesthetic. The use of aluminum in its body panels, introduced hefty innovations in the truck segment, despite some initial industry skepticism. Ford offered a range of trims from the basic XL to the opulent Limited, ensuring there was a model for every buyer's taste. The King Ranch trim, with its luxurious Camel Back upholstery and signature details like the embroidered “flying W”, epitomized luxury combined with rugged capability. The F-150's aesthetic was powerful and refined, appealing to both work truck buyers and those seeking a plush ride.

On the other hand, the 2020 Nissan Frontier preserved much of its design from its original release in the mid-2000s, which, surprisingly, aged quite well. This was particularly noticeable in the PRO-4X trim, which included sporty features like a tube-style roof rack, 16-inch alloy wheels, and knobby white-lettered tires. Different cab styles, including the King Cab and Crew Cab, were available, enhancing its versatility. The Frontier's somewhat nostalgic design and build evoked a certain rugged charm that many truck enthusiasts admired.

The 2019 Ford F-150 boasted an extensive array of engine options to fit diverse needs. New for this model year was a 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 in the King Ranch trim, churning out 250 hp and an impressive 440 lb-ft of torque. Its standard engine, a 3.3-liter V6, made 290 hp, whereas the 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 ramped it up to 325 hp and 400 lb-ft. The flagship 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 was available in two versions: a standard 375 hp and a robust 450 hp in the Limited trim. A 5.0-liter V8, producing 395 hp and 400 lb-ft, catered to traditionalists. This diverse powertrain lineup was paired primarily with a sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission, except for the base trim which used a 6-speed automatic. The diesel engine, notable for its fuel efficiency of up to 30 mpg highway with RWD, was quiet and smooth, though the auto stop/start feature occasionally betrayed its presence.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Frontier was gearing up for a redesign but had already introduced an all-new 3.8-liter V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. This new engine, delivering 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, replaced the older 4.0-liter V6 and the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, marking a significant performance upgrade. Fuel efficiency improved marginally, achieving up to 19 mpg combined in RWD models. The new powertrain offered a smoother, more refined ride, a stark improvement from its predecessor. However, the Frontier's steering was sluggish, and its turning radius was quite broad, reflecting its dated underpinnings. The off-road-oriented PRO-4X trim had robust suspension for rugged trails but transmitted road surface irregularities into the cabin more than modern competitors.

The 2019 Ford F-150 presented varied bed and cab configurations, including single cab, extended SuperCab, and full 4-door SuperCrew body styles. The SuperCrew variant impressed with its spacious and versatile cabin. Up front, it featured deep cupholders and massive storage bins, while the rear seats provided ample legroom and could fold up to create a significant load floor. The F-150 also offered impressive towing capabilities, with the diesel engine allowing for up to 11,400 pounds of tow rating.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier, while not as varied, offered King Cab and Crew Cab styles with both short and long beds. The PRO-4X trim provided a comfortable driver's seat, but the rear seating in the Crew Cab was cramped, typical for midsize pickups. The Frontier could haul payloads up to 1,020 pounds and had a maximum towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. Despite its somewhat limited capacity compared to the F-150, the Frontier's utilitarian design included a standard spray-in bedliner and a Utili-Track channel system with adjustable tie-down cleats, which made it easy to secure cargo.

The 2019 Ford F-150's technology ranged from basic to advanced. The base XL featured a simple 4.2-inch screen with basic audio and Bluetooth connectivity. Starting from the XLT trim, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system took center stage with an 8-inch touchscreen that supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which, after an iOS update, also supported third-party navigation apps like Google Maps. Higher trims, like the King Ranch, offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and a B&O Play premium sound system, enhancing the high-tech vibe of the truck.

Conversely, the 2020 Nissan Frontier, built on an older platform, offered limited tech features. Its 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was much smaller, though it included navigation, voice recognition, NissanConnect Apps, and a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium sound system. Notably, the Frontier lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a significant drawback for tech-savvy buyers. Siri Eyes Free voice assistant provided some modern functionality, but overall, the Frontier's technological offerings felt outdated.

The 2019 Ford F-150 came well-equipped with safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera as standard. The Limited trim and higher offered a 360-degree camera system, which significantly aided maneuverability. Driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert were available, further enhancing the F-150's safety profile.

In stark contrast, the 2020 Nissan Frontier struggled in safety evaluations. NHTSA rated it four stars overall, but its frontal-impact protection scores were worrying—with particularly low ratings for the front passenger. The IIHS ratings were similarly underwhelming, with poor performance in small overlap frontal-impact tests and headlight evaluations. The Frontier's safety tech was minimal, limited to a reversing camera and standard stability control systems, making it less competitive in terms of safety.