2022 Toyota Tacoma vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier represented a bold move forward for Nissan, showing off the company's "Nissan Next" strategy. This plan aimed to introduce a series of refreshed, redesigned, or all-new vehicles, including the new 2022 Frontier. The Frontier arrived with a modern, blocky, and rugged design reminiscent of the old Nissan Hardbody trucks from the 1980s and 1990s. Nissan's lead designer, Hiren Patel, described the truck's design process as akin to machining a solid block of metal to create its shape. The 2022 Frontier was available in nine exterior colors such as Tactical Green, Deep Pearl Blue, and Boulder Gray Pearl. The interior came in two shades: charcoal and sandstone, with the former available in multiple grades of leather. Our test model was in Baja Storm, a tan hue exclusive to the off-road PRO-4X and 2WD PRO-X trims, matched with charcoal leather seating. Despite a slight length increase from the previous model, the new Frontier did not seem overly large and remained compatible for garages and standard-sized parking spots. Its closest competitors were the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma. The Frontier was available in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations. The King Cab had a 6-foot bed but limited rear seat space, suitable only for smaller children or extra storage. The Crew Cab provided a standard 5-foot bed, with a 6-foot option in the SV trims. Nissan also offered an available spray-in bedliner, optional LED bed lighting, and a three-channel tie-down system to enhance utility. The tailgate spoiler contributed to better aerodynamics. Inside, the new Frontier showcased significant improvements. The seats featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity technology, improving comfort markedly. Noise reduction measures included an acoustic laminated windshield, enhancing cabin quietness. The center console offered enhanced storage, providing space for essentials like phones and wallets. Nissan also introduced over 80 optional accessories tailored to customization enthusiasts, such as a sport bar for the truck bed, hood graphics, and easily removable off-road step rails. In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma had a storied history, starting with its introduction in the North American market in 1995, built on the legacy of Toyota trucks dating back to the 1970s. The current third-generation Tacoma, introduced in 2016, sported an aggressive and contemporary exterior with a bold grille and headlights. However, the interior betrayed its age with a mix of updated and outdated elements, featuring older buttons and switchgear mingled with modern touches like a push-button start. The Tacoma was available in multiple trims—SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro—each adding layers of features and capabilities. Base models started with 16-inch steel wheels, a manually sliding rear window, and a 7-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims offered enhancements like fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheels, larger touchscreens, and optional power-sliding rear windows in the SR5 trim. The TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro trims focused on sporty and off-road capabilities, including upgraded suspensions, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and specialized off-road equipment. The Limited trim offered a more road-oriented focus with polished aluminum wheels, leather upholstery, premium audio, and a moonroof. The range-topping TRD Pro came with unique styling, underbody skid plates, LED fog lights, a tuned suspension, and a sport exhaust, emphasizing its rugged, off-road readiness.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier was powered by a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, which, despite being introduced in 2020, was retuned for the heavier 2022 model. This engine produced a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The Frontier demonstrated strong acceleration, providing confident power for overtaking on highways and smooth, responsive gear changes managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Frontier’s towing capacity peaked at 6,720 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds. These figures, while not class-leading, were competitive. The truck also featured a Tow mode that optimized shift points for better performance under load. However, it lagged behind some competitors such as the Ford Maverick or diesel-powered GMC Canyon in fuel efficiency, with EPA estimates at 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined for RWD models and slightly lower for 4WD variants. Nissan opted for a hydraulic rack and pinion steering system over an electric one, resulting in a heavier yet more traditional steering feel. The PRO-4X trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with features like hill-start assist, hill-descent control, an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shocks, steel skid plates, and an aluminum front skid plate. A best-in-class approach angle of 32.3 degrees and a surround-view monitor with off-road mode underscored its rugged capability. The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, offered two engine options. The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder produced 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque but was generally underpowered and didn’t offer notable fuel economy benefits. The optional 3.5-liter V6, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, was a better choice, standard in all trims except the SR and SR5 where it was optional. The Tacoma’s towing capacity maxed at 6,800 pounds with a payload of 1,685 pounds, slightly surpassing the Frontier. Both engines in the Tacoma were matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, with an available six-speed manual for TRD models. Although the V6 offered competent performance for city driving and off-road trails, it struggled with highway acceleration due to the transmission’s less-than-ideal gearing. The Tacoma’s suspension balanced smooth ride quality with trail toughness, and while low-speed steering could be effortful, it translated to precise control during off-road driving. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims excelled with features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a multi-terrain monitor for enhanced off-road navigation and safety. These features showcased the Tacoma’s off-road prowess, providing a compelling option for enthusiasts.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier excelled in comfort and practicality, particularly at the front. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats offered exceptional comfort, unmatched by other midsize pickups. The improved insulation contributed to a quieter cabin, while convenient storage options outpaced competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The Frontier felt more spacious behind the wheel compared to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. In the backseat, the Crew Cab provided adequate headroom and legroom, although not as generous as a full-size truck. The King Cab's rear seats were more suited for storage than for passengers. The Frontier incorporated eight cupholders within the Crew Cab, with additional storage under the rear seats, emphasizing its user-friendly design. The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered two body styles: Access Cab (with clamshell rear half-doors) and Double Cab (with four full doors). Seating configurations varied, with the Access Cab featuring tight rear jump seats best suited for children or storage. The Double Cab improved rear seating marginally but still struggled with legroom for adults on longer trips. Front seat comfort in the Tacoma was reasonable, with ample legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, the tilt/telescoping steering wheel did not extend sufficiently for taller drivers, leading to potential discomfort. The Tacoma's practical cabin included numerous cupholders and storage spaces, while the bed in our test model featured helpful lighting and an in-bed power outlet. Comparing cargo capabilities, the Frontier had a payload capacity of 1,610 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds, whereas the Tacoma slightly outperformed with a 1,685-pound payload and a 6,800-pound towing capacity, making it marginally more capable in cargo hauling tasks.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant technological advancements from previous models. The base S and SV trims came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, while the PRO-4X featured a clear and vivid 9-inch screen. Nissan ensured that infotainment features were easily accessible, with physical knobs and buttons complementing the touchscreen interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but required wired connections. The availability of a wireless phone charger and an optional Kicker tailgate audio system were notable perks. Crew Cab models featured four USB ports—two in the front and two in the rear. The optional 10-speaker Fender stereo provided excellent sound quality, though it was bundled with an expensive Premium Package. The Tacoma's infotainment system featured either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system's straightforward design and familiarity made it user-friendly. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa enhanced connectivity, although the interface’s tuning and volume dials were slightly undersized. Our test Tacoma included a wireless device charger, which required manual activation via a dashboard button—less convenient than modern auto-activating chargers. Beyond these features, the Tacoma’s tech offerings were relatively basic, catering more to practical utility than cutting-edge advancements.

Nissan equipped the 2022 Frontier with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under Nissan Safety Shield 360. Standard features included 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. Optional safety features available through the Technology Package included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear sonar. Despite not yet being crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, the 2022 Frontier was expected to fare better than its predecessor's "middling" scores, owing to its robust safety features and updated design. The 2022 Toyota Tacoma’s standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Optional safety features comprised blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The standard backup camera’s image quality was relatively poor, necessitating extra caution when reversing. While IIHS hadn't tested the 2022 Tacoma, it closely mirrored the 2021 model that received high scores. NHTSA rated the 2022 Tacoma with a four-star overall rating, breaking down into four stars for frontal and rollover crashes and five stars for side crashes.