Ford Ranger vs Nissan Frontier

Equipped with a V6 engine, body-on-frame construction, and competitive towing and payload ratings, the 2025 Frontier gets several improvements that should help it to better compete with newer rivals. All Frontiers come with more standard safety features, and most models receive a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Towing capacity is up, more versions offer a long cargo bed option, and Nissan refines the look and feel of its only pickup.

Verdict: Those changes make the 2025 Nissan Frontier more appealing. Not only that, but compared to some alternative models, the Frontier offers more comfortable front seats and a higher sense of quality. The Nissan’s excellent V6 engine is increasingly rare, too. But what the Frontier needs is a more compelling value equation.

While Ford outsells all other brands with its full-size pickup trucks, it's dead last in the midsize class. The Ranger, once the king of small trucks, sold terribly after Ford relaunched it for the 2019 model year. The smaller Maverick outsold the Ranger by three to one in 2023. For 2024, the new Ranger brings more of everything—power, tech, refinement, space, and most importantly, choice. Is it too late for Ford to catch up? We tested a Ranger XLT to find out.

Verdict: With new V6 engines and a Raptor trim, the 2024 Ford Ranger offers greater choice and capability to finally match the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma.