2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2023 Ford F-150

The 2022 Frontier represented a significant leap forward in Nissan's lineup as part of its ambitious “Nissan Next” strategy, which aimed to deliver 10 refreshed or newly designed vehicles in just 20 months. This midsize pickup truck came with a bold, blocky design reminiscent of the classic Nissan Hardbody trucks from the '80s and '90s. Its new look was the brainchild of project lead designer Hiren Patel, who likened the process to machining down a solid block of metal to create the truck's shape.

The Frontier was available in nine distinct exterior colors, including Tactical Green, Deep Pearl Blue, and Boulder Gray Pearl. Interior shades included charcoal, available in cloth or various grades of leather, and sandstone for cloth only. Our test model in Baja Storm boasted luxurious charcoal leather seating unique to the off-road-focused PRO-4X and 2WD PRO-X trims.

Despite its slightly extended nose, the Frontier's dimensions remained manageable, fitting comfortably into most garages and parking spots. While it wasn’t designed to compete with compact pickups like the Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz or larger midsize pickups like the Jeep Gladiator or Honda Ridgeline, it found its niche against the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma.

Buyers could choose between a King Cab or a Crew Cab, with no option for a regular two-door cab. The King Cab featured a cramped backseat, more suitable for tools than people, coupled with a 6-foot bed. The Crew Cab came with a standard 5-foot bed or an optional 6-footer on SV trims.

The Frontier offered practical features like an available spray-in bedliner, optional LED bed lighting, and a three-channel tie-down system. Its tailgate included an integrated spoiler to enhance aerodynamics.

Inside, the Frontier set a new benchmark in comfort and utility for midsize pickups. The front seats incorporated Nissan’s acclaimed Zero Gravity technology for exceptional comfort. Enhanced insulation, including an acoustic laminated windshield, reduced noise to create a serene cabin environment. A redesigned center console provided ample storage, and a dedicated spot ahead of the shift lever kept personal items within easy reach.

Nissan capitalized on the customization trend, offering over 80 optional accessories, including sport bars, hood graphics, and removable off-road step rails.

In contrast, the 2023 F-150 featured a design that was both familiar and appealing. Available in numerous configurations, the F-150 offered regular, Super Cab, and SuperCrew cab styles with cargo beds ranging from 5.5 to 8 feet. It boasted eight trim levels, from the basic XL to the high-performance Raptor, offering versatility to suit various buyer needs. The F-150's lineup did not include the fully electric F-150 Lightning, which was considered a separate model.

Our F-150 XLT test truck showcased a stunning blue-gray Area 51 paint. Its styling was conservative yet attractive, avoiding the bold, divisive design choices seen in rivals like the Toyota Tundra. Inside, the F-150 adopted a functional, modular design with a focus on practicality. While some materials felt basic, they were serviceable and emphasized function over form.

One notable feature in the test truck was the Ford Work Surface upgrade, which allowed the shifter to fold, creating a flat work area on the center console. However, this made the shifter feel loose and less robust. The F-150’s steering wheel controls creaked under pressure, further detracting from a sense of quality. Despite these minor issues, the cloth seats proved comfortable and appreciated in hot weather for their agreeable surface temperature.

In summary, the 2022 Frontier stood out with its fresh, rugged design, reminiscent of Nissan’s heritage. The 2023 F-150, on the other hand, presented a familiar yet conservative look, focusing on functionality and practical comfort.

The 2022 Frontier's powertrain centered around its powerful 3.8-liter V6 engine, initially introduced in 2020 but retuned for the 2022 model. This engine delivered a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, ensuring robust acceleration and ample power for highway passing. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth, timely shifts, whether climbing hills or cruising on flat terrain. The Frontier's towing capacity was 6,720 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds. Though not class-leading, these figures were respectable.

Fuel economy for the Frontier was modest, with EPA ratings of 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined for RWD models. The 4WD variants returned slightly lower figures at 17/22/19 mpg. Unlike competitors that favored electric steering, the Frontier maintained a hydraulic rack and pinion system, offering a heavier, more traditional steering feel that some truck purists appreciated.

For off-road enthusiasts, the PRO-4X trim featured advanced gear such as Bilstein shock absorbers, steel and aluminum skid plates, and an electronic locking rear differential. Additionally, a surround-view monitor with an off-road mode aided in traversing challenging terrains. Those who preferred the PRO-4X’s styling without its off-road gear could opt for the 2WD PRO-X trim.

Conversely, the 2023 F-150 offered a range of engine options, with our test model featuring the robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. This engine produced 400 horsepower and a formidable 500 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The F-150’s drivetrain provided smooth, effortless shifts and substantial acceleration, although it lacked a full-time 4WD mode.

The F-150 boasted an impressive towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds and a maximum payload rating of 3,315 pounds, depending on the configuration and powertrain. Standard suspension tuning made the truck feel somewhat harsh when unloaded but more composed with cargo or a trailer. Its ride quality surpassed that of the standard-tuned Silverado but fell short of the Ram 1500. The F-150's brakes demonstrated resilience and effectiveness, particularly on Southern California mountain descents.

Steering was functional but unremarkable, providing predictable handling in various driving conditions, though maneuvering in tight spaces required effort. The F-150 maintained a quiet cabin at freeway speeds, enhancing overall driving comfort. Fuel economy estimates for our test model were 19 mpg combined, but we averaged 17 mpg on our test loop.

In summary, while the Frontier offered a powerful and engaging driving experience with its V6 engine and off-road capabilities, the F-150 provided broader powertrain choices, higher towing capacities, and an overall smoother performance, particularly with its advanced EcoBoost V6.

The 2022 Frontier excelled in front-seat comfort, largely due to Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, which provided an unexpected level of luxury in a midsize pickup. Storage solutions were abundant, with more convenient options than competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The interior felt spacious and comfortable, particularly when compared to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.

However, the rear seats in the Frontier’s Crew Cab offered limited headroom and legroom, with the King Cab’s rear seats being impractical for passengers. The Crew Cab featured eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat, enhancing its practicality.

Nissan’s attention to comfort put the Frontier ahead of the competition in terms of interior feel.

The 2023 F-150, despite being a full-size pickup, also ensured ease of access with step rails, which, while reducing the breakover angle, made climbing in and out easier. The High equipment package included 10-way power adjustments for the driver and 8-way for the front passenger, along with power-adjustable pedals, allowing for a perfect driving position.

The F-150 provided extensive storage options, including a large bin under the front center armrest and various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The rear seats could flip up or fold flat to increase in-cab cargo space, making it versatile for carrying various items.

In terms of cargo bed functionality, the F-150 offered features like a factory-applied spray-in bedliner and the Pro Power Onboard system, providing power for tools or appliances. However, climbing into the bed was challenging without the available tailgate step.

Comparing payload and towing capacities, the Frontier offered a payload of 1,610 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. The F-150 outperformed with a maximum payload of up to 3,315 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds, showcasing its superior capability for heavy-duty tasks.

In summary, while the Frontier provided exceptional comfort and innovative storage solutions for a midsize truck, the F-150 offered broader cargo capacity, more power, and extensive storage and utility features, making it more suitable for heavy-duty use.

From 2020 to 2021, no aspect of the Frontier advanced as dramatically as its technology. The base S and SV trims featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen, while the PRO-4X boasted a larger 9-inch screen. Both screens were sharp and clear, and the interface was user-friendly with physical knobs and buttons for key functions, ensuring easy access to infotainment features.

The Frontier included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though both required a wired connection. Optional technology features included a wireless phone charger, USB ports in the front and rear, and a Kicker tailgate audio system. An optional 10-speaker Fender stereo provided excellent sound quality, though bundled with the premium package, it included other luxury features like leather and a moonroof, making it a costly addition.

The Technology Package added crucial safety features, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Convenience Package included practical features like a spray-in bedliner, bed lighting, and heated seats and mirrors.

The 2023 F-150 XLT came equipped with Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system, which featured a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Sync 4 could receive over-the-air updates, allowing for continuous improvement.

However, the infotainment system’s load times, especially for SiriusXM, could be slow, and the graphical interface needed bolder, more contrasting colors for better readability while driving. Nevertheless, the voice recognition system was highly effective, handling commands with ease. The base stereo system was decent, but the available Bang & Olufsen premium audio system was a worthy upgrade.

Additional technology features in the test truck included remote engine starting, remote tailgate locking, an integrated trailer brake controller, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which facilitated reversing with a trailer. On Board Scales with Smart Hitch assisted in preventing overloading and determining trailer tongue weight.

In conclusion, the Frontier saw significant improvements in technology, bringing it on par with competitors. The F-150, however, offered a more advanced infotainment system with wider functionality and convenience features, although it had room for improvement in its graphical interface.

The 2022 Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of its release, but it was expected to outperform the previous generation, which had average scores. The new Frontier included several standard ADAS features under Nissan Safety Shield 360, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and intelligent forward collision warning. Optional safety features included traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and rear sonar.

On the other hand, our 2023 F-150 test truck included Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, an extensive suite of ADAS features. The standard package covered automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, among others. The Assist 2.0 package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and intersection assist for left turns.

During real-world testing, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist worked well, although the lane assist occasionally misjudged curves. The blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems were particularly useful, and the surround-view camera proved invaluable for parking.

The F-150 fared excellently in crash tests, earning high marks from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

In summary, while the Frontier offered a comprehensive suite of safety features with expectations of improved crash-test ratings, the F-150 already demonstrated high safety performance and a robust array of ADAS technologies.