2023 Nissan Frontier vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma had a legacy that traced back to its first introduction in the North American market in 1995. Even before that, Toyota had been producing trucks since 1972 with the Toyota Pickup, and earlier with the international Hilux in 1968. The Tacoma’s third generation debuted in 2016, and while it received a facelift in 2020, signs of aging had begun to show.

Externally, the Tacoma maintained a modern appearance with an aggressive grille and sharp headlights, but the age was more apparent upon entry into the cabin. The interior design, despite being contemporary, was a mix of hard plastics and dated switchgear. Newer elements, such as push-button start, were awkwardly juxtaposed with older controls.

The Tacoma came in several trims: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and the top-tier TRD Pro. The base SR trim featured 16-inch steel wheels, a manually sliding rear window, air conditioning, manual seats, USB ports, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The SR5 added fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen. TRD Sport opted for 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, while TRD Off-Road emphasized trail performance with all-terrain tires and Bilstein shocks. The Limited trim brought luxurious touches like leather upholstery, JBL audio, and a power moonroof. The TRD Pro, our test vehicle, stood out with TRD sport exhaust, additional skid plates, and unique exterior styling.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Frontier offered four trim levels: S, SV, Pro-X, and Pro-4X. The Frontier was successfully redesigned for 2022, drawing inspiration from the 1986 Nissan Hardbody, and the new interior was well appreciated.

For 2023, updates included the Midnight Edition on the SV trim, adding blacked-out features. Pro-X and Pro-4X trims now boasted Lava Red interior accents, evident in the stitching and various interior touches.

The Pro trims also offered heated front seats and steering wheel, with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Color options ranged from Baja Storm tan to an array of vibrant hues. The Pro-4X showed its off-road prowess with skid plates and Bilstein shocks.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came with a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine generating 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. However, its performance was underwhelming, offering no substantial fuel savings. The more potent option was the 3.5-liter V6, delivering 278 hp and 265 lb-ft. This engine was standard on all trims above the SR and SR5, and it allowed the Tacoma to tow up to 6,800 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds.

Despite its capability, the V6 struggled with acceleration due to the six-speed automatic transmission’s inability to find the right gear. The TRD models could also be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. While the V6 showed better urban performance, the Tacoma's true prowess emerged off-road, especially on the TRD Pro, with features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a multi-terrain monitor enhancing its trail capabilities.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. This engine, standard across all trims, was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing smoother and more progressive gear shifts. Rear-wheel drive was standard, but a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system was available.

Advanced off-roading features included hill-start assist (standard) and hill-descent control (included with 4WD). The Frontier’s suspension was designed for balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort. The Pro-4X trim offered improved noise reduction and progressive shock absorbers for a refined ride. It could tow up to 6,720 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,610 pounds. Fuel economy was rated at up to 20 mpg combined for RWD.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came in two cab configurations: Access Cab and Double Cab. The Access Cab featured clamshell rear half-doors and tight legroom for the rear jump seats, while the Double Cab offered more substantial rear seats but still limited legroom. It offered two bed lengths: a five-foot bed and a six-foot-one-inch bed.

The front seats offered ample legroom, though taller drivers struggled with the tilt/telescoping steering wheel’s limited adjustment. The cargo bed provided clever features like in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier was available in Crew Cab and King Cab. The Crew Cab was standard on Pro-X and Pro-4X and offered a five-foot bed, expandable to six feet on the SV trim. The King Cab, standard on S and SV, came with a six-foot bed. The Frontier’s bed featured increased cargo volume, with 40.1 cubic feet in the five-foot bed and 46.4 in the six-foot bed.

The hydraulic tailgate allowed for controlled opening and easy closing. Pro-4X trims included multiple skid plates for off-road protection. Internally, storage abounded with Zero Gravity seats and substantial console storage.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma featured a basic 7-inch touchscreen infotainment in the SR trim, upgraded to an 8-inch screen in higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with simple navigation and large icons. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. While it wasn't brimming with the latest tech, it sufficed for most needs.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier enhanced its technology game with wireless Apple CarPlay on Pro-X and Pro-4X trims. The infotainment system used an 8-inch touchscreen for S and SV trims, and a leading 9-inch screen for the Pro models. Standard features included multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad on higher trims, and a premium 10-speaker Fender audio system for Pro trims. The off-road gauge cluster and available Intelligent Around-View Monitor with off-road mode further solidified its tech credentials.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with a suite of driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. While it lacked some advanced options, it received a four-star rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier offered forward-collision warning, trailer sway control, and automatic emergency braking across all trims. Optional features included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Pro-4X trims came with additional safety features like traffic-sign recognition. NHTSA rated it four stars overall, with the Crew Cab 4WD earning five stars in side crashes but lower in frontal and rollover tests.