2020 Nissan Frontier vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD had a polarizing design that sparked significant debate. Its exterior, part of the same design language as the Camaro and Blazer, was widely criticized. Despite this, the truck's interior remained largely unchanged, maintaining a familiar and functional layout. The Silverado HD's cabin was praised for its practicality, with features like a column shifter and a well-organized control layout. The truck's various trims, from the base Work Truck to the luxurious High Country, offered a range of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen, V8 engine, and Bluetooth connectivity in the base model, and leather upholstery, heated seats, and advanced safety features in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Frontier retained a design reminiscent of its 2005 model, which had aged well. The PRO-4X trim, in particular, stood out with its unique features like a tube-style roof rack, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a spray-in bedliner. The Frontier was available in King Cab and Crew Cab styles, with various trims and packages to choose from. The interior, though dated, was solidly built, with hard plastic materials and a symmetrical design. The PRO-4X trim offered leather upholstery and a supportive driver's seat, but rear seat space was tight, and modern conveniences like rear air conditioning vents and USB ports were absent.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered two powerful V8 engine options: a gas V8 producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax turbodiesel V8 generating 445 horsepower and a massive 910 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and could be configured with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine, while not as responsive as the gas V8, provided impressive towing capabilities, with the 2500HD able to tow up to 18,500 pounds and the 3500HD up to 35,500 pounds with a gooseneck hitch. During testing, the Silverado achieved an observed fuel economy of 17 mpg, allowing for a range of over 600 miles with its 36-gallon tank.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier featured a new 3.8-liter V6 engine, replacing the old 4.0-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. This new engine produced 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Frontier's towing capacity remained at 6,720 pounds. The new engine was smoother and more refined than its predecessor, and the transmission provided quick and clean shifts. During testing, the Frontier achieved an average fuel economy of 19.3 mpg, slightly better than the EPA estimate. However, the Frontier's steering was slow and heavy, and its driving dynamics felt outdated compared to modern standards.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered various bed and cab configurations, including a Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab. The Crew Cab, in particular, provided ample interior space with massive cubbies and trays for storage. The rear seats folded up to reveal a flat load floor and additional storage trays. The Silverado also featured Chevrolet's CornerSteps and BedSteps, making it easier to access the bed. The LTZ trim included a power lift-and-lower tailgate, which could be operated from the key fob or a button in the cabin.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier, despite its dated design, offered practical storage solutions, including dual glove compartments and a bin under the center armrest. The PRO-4X trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, but the rear seat space was tight, with a flat bench seat and limited backrest angle. The Frontier's bed, equipped with a spray-in bedliner and Utili-Track channel system, could handle up to 1,020 pounds of payload. However, the bed's depth was only 18 inches, and its total volume was 27.1 cubic feet.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD excelled in its restraint with technology, offering a straightforward infotainment system. The base trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen. The system's layout was user-friendly, with large icons and a home-button bar. The truck also had multiple USB ports and power outlets, and higher trims offered a wireless charging pad and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier's technology was limited, with a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included NissanConnect Apps, satellite radio, navigation, and a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Frontier's voice recognition system worked adequately, but pairing an iPhone to Bluetooth allowed for the use of Siri Eyes Free, which was a more natural alternative.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came equipped with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. Higher trims offered advanced safety features like a surround-view camera, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Safety Package I included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, which were essential for maneuvering the large truck. The massive side mirrors with integrated trucking mirrors also aided in driving.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier's safety ratings were less impressive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it an overall rating of four stars, but its frontal-impact protection was rated three stars for the driver and two stars for the front passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "marginal" in the small overlap frontal-impact test, and its headlights received a "poor" rating. The Frontier's safety features were limited to a reversing camera, antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control.