2020 Nissan Frontier vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger returned to the American market after an eight-year hiatus, bringing with it a design influenced by its international version. This iteration was larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor. Ford aimed to align the Ranger with the F-Series lineup through similar grille styling, but the resemblance ended there. The Ranger's design avoided the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks, opting instead for a clean, somewhat aggressive look that highlighted its sporty and capable nature. Inside, the Ranger featured a function-first cabin with hard plastics, making it durable but less inviting compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. Trim levels included the base XL, mid-range XLT, and top-tier Lariat, each offering progressively more features and upscale touches.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier, on the other hand, retained a design that looked almost unchanged from its 2005 model, which had aged well. The PRO-4X trim stood out with its tube-style roof rack, unique 16-inch alloy wheels, knobby tires, and cool bedside graphics. Available in King Cab and Crew Cab styles, the Frontier offered various trims and packages, including the Value Truck Package and Midnight Edition Package. The interior of the Frontier felt like a throwback to mid-2000s Nissan design, with hard plastics and a solid build quality. Despite its age, the Frontier's cabin was free of squeaks and rattles, a testament to its long production run.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The turbo engine provided ample power for low-speed driving and highway passing, and the Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped. However, the Ranger's ride was a bit stiff, with noticeable chatter and vibration over small bumps. Ford offered FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages, which added off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension, among other features.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier introduced a new 3.8-liter V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old 4.0-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. The new V6 produced 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, offering a smoother and more refined driving experience. The Frontier's maximum tow rating was 6,720 pounds. Despite the improved powertrain, the Frontier's driving dynamics were less impressive, with slow and heavy steering and a wide turning radius. The PRO-4X trim included high-pressure Bilstein off-road shocks, which handled trail ruts well but allowed road surface irregularities to reverberate through the truck.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four with a 2+2 layout, featuring rear-opening clamshell half-doors for accessing the tight rear seats. The SuperCrew, a full four-door crew cab, seated five with a more spacious rear bench. Both configurations offered deep in-door pockets, a center console bin, and other storage solutions. The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew, offering features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier offered plenty of storage despite some wasted space on the center console. The PRO-4X trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, though it wasn't one of Nissan's Zero Gravity designs, making long drives less comfortable. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but was still comfortable. Rear seat room was tight, with a flat bench seat and minimal backrest angle. The Frontier's bed included a standard spray-in bedliner, bed-rail caps, and a Utili-Track channel system, with a payload capacity of up to 1,020 pounds.

The 2020 Ford Ranger XL featured a basic AM/FM stereo with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect was included, offering remote lock/unlock, remote start, and WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim included a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X came with a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including NissanConnect Apps, satellite radio, navigation, and a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Siri Eyes Free was available for iPhone users, providing a more natural voice assistant alternative.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also included automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it had a recall for its ten-speed automatic transmission.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with lower scores for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance. IIHS ratings were also mediocre, with a "marginal" rating for small overlap frontal-impact and a "poor" rating for headlights. The Frontier's safety features included a reversing camera, antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control, but it lacked modern driver-assistance technologies.