2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty took the blocky and muscular aesthetics of the F-150 midsize pickup to a more robust level. Larger in every dimension, the Super Duty models truly embodied the heavy-duty truck look. This wasn't just for show; the Super Duty trucks featured numerous upgrades over their light-duty counterparts. With long bed lengths for better cargo hauling and a tall ride height for superior ground clearance, these trucks were built to handle tough terrains and messy job sites. The giant grilles, heavy-duty bumpers, and durable bodywork were designed to withstand daily wear and tear.

Inside, the Super Duty's cabin varied significantly depending on the trim level. The base XL trim offered good headroom and legroom but was otherwise a stripped-down work truck. Higher trims, such as the Super Duty Limited, boasted leather and upscale finishes that rivaled many luxury cars. The cabin could range from tight and utilitarian to spacious and plush, catering to different needs and preferences.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier represented a significant step in Nissan’s “Nissan Next” strategy, arriving as a dramatically new midsize pickup truck. With blocky, rugged styling reminiscent of the old Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s, the Frontier's design was described by project lead designer Hiren Patel as being machined from a solid block of metal. Available in nine exterior colors and two interior shades, the Frontier offered a variety of customization options. The test truck featured Baja Storm paint and charcoal leather seating, exclusive to the off-road-ready PRO-4X and 2WD PRO-X trim levels.

The 2022 Frontier was slightly longer than its predecessor, particularly in the nose, but the overall growth was not dramatic. It fit well in garages and parking spots, making it a practical choice for everyday use. The Frontier's closest competitors were the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma, with Nissan targeting the Tacoma specifically during the engineering process. The Frontier was available in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, with the King Cab offering a 6-foot bed and the Crew Cab offering a 5-foot bed or an optional 6-footer on SV trims. The truck also featured an available spray-in bedliner, optional LED bed lighting, and a three-channel tie-down system.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered three powertrains. The base engine was a 6.2-liter V8 producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. An available 7.3-liter V8 delivered 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The most powerful option was the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, rated at 475 hp and an impressive 1,050 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Super Duty trucks came standard with rear-wheel drive but could be upgraded to four-wheel drive. The Ford F-350 could be ordered in a dual-rear-wheel configuration for better towing capacity, with maximum payload specs reaching 4,060 pounds and towing capabilities exceeding 36,000 pounds with a gooseneck setup. The turbodiesel V8 offered the best capabilities of any Super Duty drivetrain. Off-road capabilities were enhanced in the Super Duty Tremor models, which featured factory lift kits, beefy tires, and muscular styling. Fuel economy ratings were not required for heavy-duty trucks, but mpg levels were expected to drop during towing or heavy hauling.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier's powertrain was highlighted by its 3.8-liter V6 engine, retuned for the heavier 2022 model, producing a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The Frontier offered strong acceleration and ample passing power at highway speeds. The powertrain included a tow mode that remapped shift points for improved performance under load. The Frontier's maximum payload was 1,610 pounds, and it had a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. A nine-speed automatic transmission managed the power, with options for rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes. The transmission provided plenty of power when climbing hills and maximized fuel economy on level ground. EPA estimates for fuel economy were 18 mpg city, 24 highway, 20 combined for rear-wheel drive models, and 17/22/19 for four-wheel-drive models. The Frontier featured a hydraulic rack and pinion steering system, offering a heavier steering feel compared to the Tacoma. The PRO-4X trim included off-road features such as hill-start assist, hill-descent control, an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, steel underbody skid plates, and an aluminum front skid plate. The PRO-4X also boasted a best-in-class approach angle of 32.3 degrees. The 2WD PRO-X trim offered similar styling cues without the off-road features.

Despite its focus on hardcore utility, the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered plenty of creature comforts. The front seats came in a 40/20/40 folding bench setup as standard, providing a comfortable armrest with cupholders for the driver and front passenger. Crew Cab and Super Cab models offered generous rear seats with easy access through the large doors. However, the Super Duty trucks were more at home on job sites than in tight city streets. Their size made parking, maneuvering, and visibility challenging, and the large doors and tall ride height made entering and exiting difficult. The flat hood and towing height could make it feel like driving a bulldozer. Loading child seats and entering the truck could be challenging, although running boards were available. The tailgate design included optional steps and a handle for easy entry into the bed, though it was not as elaborate as the tailgate functions on the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier combined comfort and capability exceptionally well. The front seats featured Nissan’s lauded Zero Gravity technology, providing a level of luxury uncommon in the midsize pickup truck segment. The Frontier offered convenient storage options, significantly more so than the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Compared to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma, it felt spacious behind the wheel. The Crew Cab Frontier provided a manageable amount of headroom and legroom in the backseat, but it was not as spacious as a full-size pickup. The King Cab’s rear seats were essentially jump seats, suitable for a toolbox or groceries but not for passengers. The Frontier’s Crew Cab cabin featured eight cupholders, four of which could hold a 32-ounce bottle, and additional storage beneath the rear seat. The truck felt ahead of the pack in terms of comfort, with Toyota and Ford expected to catch up quickly.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty featured Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, known for its intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Menus were clearly labeled and required fewer taps to navigate, making the system less distracting to use. The base XL trim had a non-touch display, but a larger touchscreen was available on other trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with higher trims offering upgraded audio systems. The trucks were available with various tech options, including a WiFi hotspot, upgraded heated and ventilated seats, adjustable upfitter switches for accessories, and a rapid heating unit for diesel-equipped trucks.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant advancements in its technology offerings. A standard 8-inch touchscreen was available on the S and SV trims, while the PRO-4X featured a 9-inch screen. The interface was user-friendly, with physical knobs for volume and tuning, hard buttons for audio source, map, and camera, and a dedicated menu button. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but required a wired connection. The Frontier could be equipped with a wireless phone charger and an optional Kicker tailgate audio system. Crew Cab models featured four USB ports, and the optional 10-speaker Fender stereo was available as part of the Premium Package. The Technology Package added safety features such as blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Convenience Package included a spray-in bedliner, bed lighting, a trailer hitch, two 120-volt outlets, and heated mirrors, seats, and steering wheel.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a variety of safety features, though many were available as added-cost upgrades or on higher trims. A trailer tow package included special camera views and Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature. Other available features included blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision alerts. As commercial vehicles, Super Duty trucks were not crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to perform better than the previous generation. The new truck offered standard advanced driver assistance systems under Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver attention monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, trailer sway control, rear-door alert, and an easy-fill tire alert. Eight airbags were standard, and optional features included traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear sonar.