2020 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2020 Nissan Frontier’s design had a nostalgic charm, reminiscent of a well-preserved 2005 model. The PRO-4X trim stood out with its tube-style roof rack, unique 16-inch alloy wheels, knobby white-lettered tires, and cool bedside graphics. Despite its age, the Frontier’s design remained appealing, especially with the standard spray-in bedliner and other rugged features.

Available in King Cab and Crew Cab styles, the Frontier offered various trims and packages. The King Cab had a long cargo bed and came in base S and mid-grade SV trims with RWD or 4WD. Crew Cabs provided more options, including short and long beds, and trims like S, SV, and PRO-4X. The interior, though dated, was solidly built, with the PRO-4X’s leather upholstery adding a touch of modernity. Despite the hard plastic materials, the cabin was free from squeaks and rattles, a testament to its long-standing build quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing exterior design, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or freight train. It exuded machismo, appealing to those who preferred a bold, rugged look. The interior, however, was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. The cabin was spacious, akin to a living room, making up for its lack of premium materials.

Trim levels for the Silverado 3500HD included W/T, LT, LTZ, and High Country. The W/T trim featured basic amenities like two USB ports, vinyl seat trim, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added cloth seating, body-color door handles, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The LTZ trim introduced chrome exterior accents, leather upholstery, and advanced features like dual-zone automatic climate control. The High Country trim, the pinnacle of luxury, offered heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose premium sound system, and a spray-in bedliner.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier featured a new 3.8-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old 4.0-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. This direct-injected V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 281 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, offering a significant improvement over the previous engine. Fuel economy also saw a slight increase, with RWD models gaining 1 mpg and 4WD models gaining 2 mpg in combined driving. The maximum tow rating remained at 6,720 pounds.

The new engine was smooth and refined, with strong acceleration and quick, clean shifts from the nine-speed automatic. During testing, the Frontier averaged 19.3 mpg, slightly better than the EPA estimate. However, the Frontier’s overall driving dynamics were less impressive. The steering was slow and heavy, and the turning radius was wide. The PRO-4X trim’s Bilstein off-road shocks handled rough terrain well but allowed road surface irregularities to affect the ride quality. Despite its age, the Frontier’s truck-like driving experience had a certain charm, especially with its new powertrain.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 lb-ft of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both powertrains could be configured with RWD or 4WD, and an automatically locking rear differential was standard.

The diesel engine, in particular, provided excellent performance, with the 10-speed automatic ensuring optimal gear selection. The Silverado 3500HD’s towing capacity was a standout feature, with a maximum of 36,000 pounds when properly equipped. The payload capacity was also impressive at 7,442 pounds. The LTZ trim’s advanced trailering system, with its app-based monitoring and checklist, further enhanced the truck’s towing capabilities.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier’s interior 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, providing a tall and supportive driving position. However, the seat was not one of Nissan’s Zero Gravity designs, and long drives could become uncomfortable. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but was adequately positioned. Rear seat space was tight, with a flat bench seat and limited backrest angle. The bed, equipped with a spray-in bedliner and Utili-Track channel system, had a payload capacity of 1,020 pounds but was shallow at 18 inches deep and 27.1 cubic feet in volume.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered various configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The crew cabs provided two rows of spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom. The Silverado’s bed featured integrated steps in the rear bumper and additional step-ups along the side, making it easier to access the cargo area.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X came with a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which included NissanConnect Apps, satellite radio, navigation, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium sound system. However, it lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth pairing allowed for Siri Eyes Free voice assistant use, offering a more natural alternative to the truck’s voice recognition system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen and navigation in the High Country trim. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials for easy operation. The Silverado also offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and multiple camera angles, as well as a trailering app with a pre-trailering checklist and status updates.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier had disappointing crash-test scores. The NHTSA gave it an overall rating of four stars, but the frontal-impact protection was rated three stars for the driver and two stars for the front passenger. The RWD model received a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated the Frontier "marginal" in the small overlap frontal-impact test, and the headlights received a "poor" rating. Safety features were limited to a reversing camera, antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and front- and side-impact airbags. Additional safety features, such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, were available as options. Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system were also optional, providing valuable assistance for maneuvering the large truck.