2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing exterior design, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or a freight train. It was a vehicle that exuded machismo, appealing to those who wanted a rugged and imposing look. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, the spacious interior, comparable to a living room, made up for it. The Silverado 3500HD offered various trim levels, each adding more features, from basic vinyl seat trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in the W/T trim to luxurious heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose premium sound system, and a spray-in bed-liner in the High Country trim.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier represented a significant step in Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy, arriving as a dramatically new midsize pickup truck. Its blocky, rugged styling paid homage to the old Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s. The Frontier was available in nine exterior colors and two interior shades, with our test truck featuring charcoal leather seating exclusive to the off-road-ready PRO-4X and 2WD PRO-X trims. The 2022 Frontier was slightly longer than its predecessor but still fit well in garages and parking spots. It was designed to compete with the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma, with a clear focus on targeting the Tacoma.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both powertrains could be configured with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with low range. The Silverado 3500HD had a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds, making it a powerhouse for heavy-duty tasks. The LTZ trim featured an advanced trailering system with an app to monitor critical trailer functions.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier's powertrain was highlighted by its 3.8-liter V6 engine, which had been retuned for the heavier 2022 model. It produced a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The Frontier's nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the truck offered both RWD and 4WD options with 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes. The Frontier had a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. While not class-leading, these figures were respectable. The Frontier's fuel economy was 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined for RWD models, and 17/22/19 for 4WD models. The PRO-4X trim offered a robust off-road kit, including hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and Bilstein shock absorbers.

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

The 2022 Nissan Frontier excelled in comfort and capability, especially in the front seats, which featured Nissan's lauded Zero Gravity technology. The Frontier offered convenient storage options and felt spacious behind the wheel compared to competitors like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. However, the backseat of the Crew Cab provided only a manageable amount of headroom and legroom, while the King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier's Crew Cab had eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat, making it a practical choice for daily use.

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

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant advancements in technology. It came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen on the S and SV trims, while the PRO-4X trim featured a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was easy to navigate, with physical knobs and buttons for essential functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though they required a wired connection. The Frontier offered a wireless phone charger, an optional Kicker tailgate audio system, and a 10-speaker Fender stereo as part of the Premium Package. The Technology Package added advanced safety features, while the Convenience Package included practical additions like a spray-in bedliner and heated mirrors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. However, advanced safety features such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking were optional. Buyers also had to pay extra for front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system, which were particularly useful given the truck's size.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to perform better than its predecessor. The new Frontier offered a range of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver attention monitor, and intelligent forward collision warning. Optional safety features included traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Frontier also came with eight airbags and trailer sway control.