2022 Nissan Frontier Vs Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado: How Does It Stack Up?
The 2022 Nissan Frontier arrives in a very different segment than the last model, which debuted in 2005.
Truck sales now take a larger share of the market, thanks to the continued popularity of both pickups and SUVs. Segment stalwart Ford dipped out for over a decade, but came back with a reborn Ranger. General Motors keeps plugging away with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins. The Tacoma is as popular as ever: at the end of 2020, Toyota sold more of its midsize pickup than it did the Corolla.
For 2022, Nissan is simplifying the Frontier lineup, targeting the six-cylinder heartland of the segment. A more powerful (and efficient) drivetrain is key here. In addition, Nissan is throwing much of its tech and safety suite at its mid-size entry. As a nod to the truck’s increasing role as households’ main mode of transportation, the Japanese manufacturer has also improved the Frontier’s refinement.
Get a Quote on a New Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, or Chevrolet ColoradoSitting in a distant fifth place in terms of 2020 sales (total US units fell to just 36,845), the Frontier will be looking to make up lost ground when it arrives this summer. So how does it stack up to the rest of the class?
Editor’s Note: For simplicity, we’ve left out two other main competitors: the rugged Jeep Gladiator and the unibody Honda Ridgeline.
By The Measurements
dimension | Nissan Frontier (2022) | Chevrolet Colorado (2021) | Ford Ranger (2021) | Toyota Tacoma (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
length | 210.2 / 224.1 in | 212.7–224.9 in | 210.8 in | 212.3 in |
width | 73.0 in | 74.3 in | 73.3 in | 74.4–75.2 in |
height | 68.7–71.3 in | 70.5 in | 70.7–73.2 in | 70.6–71.6 in |
wheelbase | 126.0 / 139.8 in | 128.3 / 140.5 in | 126.8 in | 127.4 in |
curb weight | 4,200–4,800 lb (est) | 3,935–4,715 lb | 4,145–4,571 lb | 4,445 lb |
headroom (f/r) | 39.1/38.6 in | 41.4/38.3 in | 39.8/38.3 in | 39.7/38.3 in |
legroom (f/r) | 42.4/33.6 in | 45.0/35.8 in | 43.1/34.5 in | 42.9/32.6 in |
shoulder room (f/r) | 58.3/58.3 in | 57.5/56.2 in | 56.7/56.3 in | 58.3/58.9 in |
bed length | 58.9–73.3 in | 61.7–74.0 in | 61.0–72.8 in | 60.5–73.7 in |
Disclaimer: At the time of publishing Nissan has not released interior measurements for the 2022 Frontier. 2021 headroom, legroom, and shoulder room are listed here. All measurements are from Crew Cab models.
“Mid-size truck” is almost a misnomer days. Nissan must’ve planned long-term here: the Frontier uses a heavily modified version of the previous chassis, yet it remains competitive against the pack in terms of measurements. It’s the narrowest truck of the lot, but also the shortest, both in overall length and wheelbase. That said, it doesn’t look like Nissan has given up much ground: while we don’t have interior measurements for the 2022 Frontier, even the current truck sticks very close to the rest. Only the Tacoma beats it on rear shoulder room, for example. Given the boxier design of the redesigned Nissan, we expect the Japanese brand has carved out at least some small improvements for storing folks in either row.
A truck needs a decently-sized bed, and all four of these models hover within two inches of each other. That goes for either the shorter beds on Crew Cab models, or the longer bed. The Chevrolet (and its GM twin) squeaks out a modest win on both counts, by less than an inch.
Inside, the new Frontier gets a much-needed tech refresh, with up to four USB ports (of both varieties), an available wireless charger, and a standard 7.0-inch infotainment screen. Higher trims bump that measurement to 9.0 inches, making the Frontier’s screen the largest in the class.
SEE ALSO: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave Review: Honestly, Why Not?Engine and Drivetrain
performance | Nissan Frontier (2022) | Chevrolet Colorado (2021) | Ford Ranger (2021) | Toyota Tacoma (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
engine | 3.8L V6 | 3.6L V6 | 2.3L I4 Turbo | 3.5L V6 |
horsepower | 310 hp | 308 hp | 270 hp | 278 hp |
torque | 281 lb-ft | 275 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft |
transmission | nine-speed automatic | eight-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic | six-speed automatic |
mpg | 18/24/20 (est, RWD), 17/23/19 (est, 4WD) | 18/25/21 (RWD), 17/24/19 (4WD) | 21/26/23 (RWD), 20/24/22 (4WD) | 19/24/21 (RWD), 18/22/20 (4WD) |
towing rating | up to 6,720 lb | up to 7,000 lb | 7,500 lb | 6,400 lb |
It’s important to note that the Colorado and Toyota both offer additional engine options. We’ve stuck to the most comparable ones here—V6s for both—but four-cylinder engines are still available if so desired. The Colorado goes one step further with an available diesel engine: the 2.8-liter four-cylinder might only produce 181 hp, but that’s backed up by a stump-pulling 369 lb-ft of twist. Opting for either four-cylinder drops the gear count down to six, matching the Tacoma.
The Nissan tops the horsepower chart, and nets the highest torque figure without resorting to a turbocharger. The Ford Ranger is unique in the class by only offering a turbo four-pot, giving it more twist than all the gas-powered competition.
Those looking for more adventurous, off-road-ready trims have choices with each of these mid-sizers. Nissan will continue its PRO lineup, with the returning PRO-4X as well as a new, rear-drive PRO-X model. Speaking of pros, the Tacoma comes in a tough TRD Pro trim, as well as the less-extreme TRD Off-Road form. Chevrolet offers the aggressive ZR2 seen above, while Ford added the Tremor package to the Ranger for 2021. All of these rough-and-tumble rigs come with goodies like tow hooks, reinforced skid plates, gnarlier tires, and lifted suspensions.
Pricing
Nissan has yet to release pricing for the 2022 Frontier. The current truck starts at $28,185 (including destination), and it runs the same drivetrain as the new model. We’re betting prices won’t budge much as a result, and Nissan would be wise to keep the base model below the $30,000 barrier. It’s likely to eclipse the most expensive of the pack—the $28,295 Colorado—but considering the Chevy runs a wimpy four-cylinder, the Nissan will offer a lot of value. For reference, the Tacoma starts at $27,425; the Ranger, just $26,015.
You’re looking at a mid-30s price tag for any one of the quartet for a solidly-specced model. Moving up to the tougher off-roading trims, all three of the Nissan’s competitors cross well into $40,000 territory with the ZR2, Tremor, and TRD Pro, respectively. We expect the slightly softer PRO-4X to come in under them by a few thousand, or right around the $40k mark.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
More by Kyle Patrick
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