2022 Nissan Titan vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier represented a significant step in Nissan’s “Nissan Next” strategy, which aimed to deliver 10 refreshed, redesigned, or debuting vehicles over 20 months. Following major updates to the Kicks and Armada, and full redesigns for the Rogue and Pathfinder, the Frontier arrived as a dramatically new midsize pickup truck. Its blocky, rugged styling echoed the old Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s. Lead designer Hiren Patel described the design process as machining a solid block of metal to create the truck’s shape. The Frontier was available in nine exterior colors and two interior shades, with our test truck featuring Baja Storm paint and 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, particularly in the nose, but the growth was not dramatic. It fit well in garages and parking spots, positioning itself against competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma. The Frontier was available with either a King Cab or a Crew Cab, 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. Inside, the Frontier featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats and improved insulation for a quieter ride. The truck also offered a new center console with more storage solutions and up to 80 optional accessories for customization.

The 2022 Nissan Titan, on the other hand, continued to build on its reputation as a full-size pickup truck. Despite being a relative newcomer compared to the Big Three and Toyota Tundra, the Titan boasted a rugged yet elegant exterior with strong lines and an expressive face. The interior featured clean lines, excellent material selection, and generous proportions, creating an airy cabin. Our test vehicle, a loaded Titan Pro-4X model, came with an optional moonroof package that included a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and a power sliding rear window, enhancing the cabin’s roominess.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier’s powertrain was highlighted by its 3.8-liter V6 engine, which had been retuned for the heavier 2022 model. This engine delivered a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The Frontier offered strong acceleration and ample passing power at highway speeds. It featured a tow mode that remapped shift points for improved performance under load, with a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission managed the power efficiently, providing smooth shifts and maximizing fuel economy. However, the Frontier’s fuel economy was not its strong suit, with EPA estimates of 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined for RWD models, and 17/22/19 for 4WD models.

The Frontier’s hydraulic rack and pinion steering system provided a heavier steering feel compared to competitors like the Toyota Tacoma. The PRO-4X trim offered a capable off-road kit, including hill-start assist, hill-descent control, an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, and steel underbody skid plates. The PRO-4X also featured a surround-view monitor with an off-road mode and a best-in-class approach angle of 32.3 degrees. For those who didn’t need 4WD but liked the PRO-4X’s styling, the 2WD PRO-X trim was available.

The 2022 Nissan Titan, in contrast, featured a 5.6-liter gasoline V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. RWD was standard on the S, SV, and Platinum Reserve models, while 4WD was standard on the Pro-4X and available on other trims. The Titan’s fuel economy was estimated at 16 mpg city, 21 highway, and 18 combined for RWD models, and 15/21/18 for 4WD models. The Pro-4X had slightly lower ratings at 15/20/17.

The Titan’s fully boxed, full-length ladder frame, independent double-wishbone front suspension, and leaf springs in the rear provided a stable ride. The Pro-4X model included a two-speed transfer case, electronically locking rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, and Bilstein off-road shocks. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Titan was comfortable on pavement, with a throaty engine note and linear power delivery. The Titan’s maximum towing capacity was 9,310 pounds, and its maximum payload was 1,710 pounds.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier combined comfort and capability exceptionally well. The front seats featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity technology, providing a level of luxury uncommon in the midsize pickup segment. The Frontier offered convenient storage options, surpassing competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. However, the backseat of the Crew Cab offered only a manageable amount of headroom and legroom, while the King Cab’s rear seats were essentially jump seats, suitable only for small items. The Frontier’s Crew Cab had eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came in two body styles: King Cab and Crew Cab, both with two rows of seating. The Titan S base model featured a 40/20/40-split-folding front bench seat, while other trims had dual power-adjustable bucket seats. The King Cab’s second row had rear-hinged clamshell doors and 24.8 inches of legroom, making it suitable for occasional seating or cargo hauling. The Crew Cab offered 38.5 inches of legroom and full front-hinged doors, with an available flat-floor function for added utility. The King Cab had a 78.7-inch bed, while the Crew Cab had a 67-inch bed. The Titan also offered the Utili-track Channel system and accessory Titan Boxes for additional storage.

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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for essential functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though they required a wired connection. The Frontier also offered a wireless phone charger, an optional Kicker tailgate audio system, and a 10-speaker Fender stereo. The Technology Package added safety features like blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control, while the Convenience Package included a spray-in bedliner and heated mirrors, seats, and steering wheel.

The 2022 Nissan Titan featured an 8-inch center display screen as standard, with a 9-inch touchscreen interface available. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hot spot were standard, along with NissanConnect and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard audio system included six speakers, while the upgrade system featured a 12-speaker Fender setup. NissanConnect with navigation was available on SV models and standard on Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve trims, offering features like over-the-air map updates and online POI search.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a range of standard advanced driver assistance systems under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver attention monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, trailer sway control, and rear-door alert. Optional safety features included traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also featured intelligent forward collision warning and eight airbags. The Titan received top “Good” ratings from the IIHS in most crash tests and “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention tech. However, the standard halogen reflector headlights received a “Poor” rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Titan, but the 2020 model received four out of five stars for overall safety.