2020 Nissan Frontier vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150's design set it apart from competitors with its clean lines and blocky grille that exuded confidence without seeking to dominate aesthetics. Instead of following aggressive, abstract design trends, the F-150's styling embraced a sense of restraint that promised to age gracefully, ensuring it looked appealing even when owned by a third owner. Inside, the dash appeared mechanical before startup, but it came to life with the dash and infotainment screen. The focus remained on function over form, with lower-tier and upper-level trims featuring hard plastics, while only the more luxurious trims incorporated some soft-touch materials and leather. Although lacking the luxury feel of the Ram 1500, the F-150's interior seemed built to withstand heavy use, prioritizing durability.

Trim levels for the F-150 included the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited. The XL trim served as the workhorse with minimal standard features such as steel wheels and a basic AM/FM radio. The XLT also added more comfort features, including SYNC 3 infotainment and a WiFi hotspot. The Lariat trim bridged the comfort gap with push-button start, leather-trimmed seats, and dual-zone climate control. The King Ranch offered a Western vibe with saddle-leather upholstery and unique "King Ranch" stitching. The Platinum trim featured luxurious elements such as blue ambient lighting and massaging seats. The Raptor focused on off-road features with a menacing grille and specialized running gear, while the Limited topped the range with a premium interior, polished wheels, and a dual-panel moonroof.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Frontier's design, though seemingly preserved since 2005, managed to age well and especially stood out in the PRO-4X trim with unique alloy wheels, a tube-style roof rack, and cool bedside graphics. The Frontier came in King Cab and Crew Cab styles, with the King Cab offered in base S and mid-grade SV trims with RWD or 4WD. The Crew Cab offered short and long bed choices in S, SV, and PRO-4X trims. Our tested PRO-4X displayed a rugged look enhanced by knobby tires and bedside graphics. Inside, the Frontier's cabin echoed Nissan’s mid-2000s design ethos with modularity and silver plastic dominating the interior. Despite most of the cabin being rendered in hard plastic, the meticulous assembly meant the Frontier resisted squeaks and rattles irrespective of road conditions.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a variety of powertrain options. The base XL and XLT trims came with a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, options like a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, and a robust 5.0-liter V8 offering 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, catered to diverse needs. Notably, the most powerful option was the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, producing 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, offering 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, was also available. The 10-speed automatic transmission enhanced the vehicle's performance, with drive modes such as Normal, Tow/Haul, and EcoSelect. Properly equipped, the F-150 could tow up to a leading 12,300 pounds. The Raptor variant, distinguished by its lifted suspension and specialized Fox Racing Shox, excelled in off-road environments, offering various terrain modes for different driving conditions.

For the 2020 Nissan Frontier, Nissan introduced a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This new engine generated 310 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 281 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, providing a significant improvement over the previous models. Nissan claimed the engine was 93% new, and it was notably smooth and refined, offering robust response and strong acceleration. However, while the Frontier achieved 19.3 mpg, slightly above the EPA estimate, it maintained an old-school truck driving character. Despite the addition of high-pressure Bilstein off-road shocks in the PRO-4X trim, the truck's structure remained susceptible to road irregularities. The maximum tow rating stood at 6,720 pounds, which was respectable but far below the F-150's capabilities.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came in three cab sizes (Regular Cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew) and three bed sizes (5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot), providing various configurations to suit different needs. The SuperCrew, with its full four-door layout, offered exceptional rear legroom and a large load floor with flip-up rear seats. The Regular Cab was a single cab, while the SuperCab provided rear half-doors that needed the front doors open for access, which might become inconvenient if frequent rear access was necessary. With ample front-row space across all body styles and features like a bed step for ease of access, the F-150 truly catered to utility without compromising on space.

Conversely, the 2020 Nissan Frontier came in King Cab and Crew Cab styles, with different bed lengths available for each. The King Cab offered a long cargo bed, while Crew Cabs came with either a short or long bed. The interior storage was ample, with dual glove compartments and a bin underneath the center armrest. The PRO-4X had an eight-way power driver’s seat but no height adjuster for the front passenger seat, although this wasn't a major issue. Rear seat space was tight, typical for midsize pickups, and lacked modern conveniences like USB ports and rear air conditioning vents. However, the Frontier’s bed, equipped with a spray-in bedliner, Utili-Track channel system, and adjustable tie-down cleats, could haul up to 1,020 pounds. Its bed depth and volume were less impressive but functional for various hauling needs.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a variety of technological features across its trims. The base XL trim had a straightforward AM/FM radio with an auxiliary audio input jack, while the XLT trim introduced the SYNC 3 infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, enhanced voice recognition, and pinch-to-zoom functionality. Higher trims incorporated the sophisticated FordPass with a 4G WiFi modem capable of connecting up to 10 devices and remote operations via a mobile app. An optional Kicker subwoofer enhanced the stereo on the XL and XLT trims. Moreover, the available B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen offered superior audio quality in the higher trims.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier fell short in the technology department. The PRO-4X trim included a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with NissanConnect Apps, satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium sound system. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which could be a dealbreaker for tech-savvy users. The voice recognition system worked correctly if specific prompts were followed, but Siri Eyes Free was a more natural alternative when paired with an iPhone. Overall, the Frontier’s technology was somewhat dated, reflecting the truck’s age.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard features included front and side-impact airbags, curve control, tire-pressure monitoring, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, and rain-sensing activated headlights. The F-150’s driver assistance technology, Ford Co-Pilot360, included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist simplified trailer maneuvers, and the F-150 SuperCrew received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS in crash tests.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Frontier's safety credentials left much to be desired. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, but it only achieved three stars for the driver and a dismal two stars for the front passenger in frontal-impact protection. The RWD model received a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave the Frontier "marginal" ratings in small overlap frontal impact tests, with the headlights earning a "poor" rating. Safety features were minimal, comprising a reversing camera, antilock brakes, traction, and stability control.