The new frontier used to mean explorers were heading to parts unknown, but the 2022 model year brings us a brand new Nissan Frontier to drive.
While not quite as harrowing or exciting as discovering new parts of the world, this new truck is the first generational change in a long time. Will we like to drive this new pickup truck? Will it remain the affordable option in the midsize market? Does this new model have what it takes to compete with the names we already know and love?
What’s New for the Frontier?
Almost every aspect o this truck is brand-new for the 2022 model year. The only items that are not new are the fully boxed ladder frame and the powertrain, both of which made their appearance last year and served as the foundational elements for the brand-new truck. Everything else about this Nissan is new. This truck was designed in California and appears to be chiseled out of a single block to give us a modern build of what was the original Hardbody version of this truck. Admire the new muscular appearance as we look to see if this is the truck that’s right for you.
Driving Right on Any Road
The powertrain offered in the Nissan Frontier is the most powerful in this class, making it easy for this truck to be a capable contender. You’ll be pleased with the ride quality when you sit in the Zero Gravity seats during a long trip. More than 41 parts have been added to the build to reduce the cabin noise from the road and wind, making the cabin as quiet as you’ll find in the market. The only drawback to the drive in this truck is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, but that might not be an issue for most drivers.
Your First Impression Will Be a Good One
It’s always good to make the right first impression, and this new Nissan certainly does. It brings you the right size, a chiseled style, the powertrain you desire, a damped and lockable tailgate, standard connectivity features, the option of an off-road Pro-4x model, and it’s built in the USA. That’s right; the Frontier continues to be made in Canton, Mississippi, which makes it a truck that you can proudly stay was built right here by American workers at the Nissan plant.
A Simple Strategy to a Comfortable Ride
The cabin area of the Nissan Frontier is designed to be versatile and functional without too much fuss. You’ll admire the intuitive nature of the large nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the comfort of the seats, and the various areas where you can find onboard storage that will make it easy for you to carry smaller items in the cabin. A tranquil drive awaits you with the sound-deadening materials that have been used to make this truck one that brings you a much better feeling on the road than what you found in the previous version.
Bold Aggression in the Frontier
Admire the aggressive, modern appearance of this new Nissan truck when you see it. You’ll see a bold front engine with a prominent grille, the chiseled look of the hood, high bodysides, and large lettering on the tailgate. The big build of this truck is made to give you a sense of thickness and strength for the drive. If you move up to the Pro-4X version, you’ll have a black grille that is sharp and ready to show up and show off for you. Several impressive colors are offered; choose one that fits your personality.
What Features Will You Find?
There are four trims offered for the Nissan Frontier, S, SV, Pro-X, and Pro-4X. Across these trims, you’ll find a variety of features that can make your drive exactly what you want to experience in this truck.
Basic Standard Features
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 2 USB ports
- Two12-volt outlets
- Hill-start assist
- Forward-collision warning
- Trailer Sway Control
- Damped locking tailgate
- Hill Descent Control (4WD Models)
- Easy Fill Tire Alert
Upgraded Features on Higher Trims
- Two 400-wat outlets
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Around-View monitor
- Off-Road Model
- Safety Shield 360
- Trailer hitch
- Spray-in bedliner
- Heated mirrors, seats, steering wheel
- Leather upholstery
- Fender audio system
- Moonroof
- Choice of up to 85 OEM accessories
What You’ll Find in the Nissan Safety Shield 360 Package
For every driver, safety is one of the top priorities. The Nissan Frontier is offered with the benefits of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 package of features. This package gives you automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, Traffic Sign Recognition, and driver alertness monitoring. These items are made to keep you alert of any issues that can be found when you’re out on the road.
An Excellent Powertrain for Your Frontier
Nissan brought the powertrain to this new truck from the final year of the previous model. This powertrain has proven to be an excellent performer for this truck. What you’ll find under the hood is a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is attached to a nine-speed automatic transmission to give you the power you need at the wheels. If you select an RWD version, you’ll have 18 city/24 hwy mpg, but a 4WD model will give you 17 city/22 hwy mpg for your drive.
You can tow up to 6,720 pounds with this truck and carry up to 1,610 pounds of payload in the bed, making this a truck that’s perfectly capable of handling your driving needs.
Will You Drive the New Nissan Frontier?
As you can see, the new 2022 Frontier brings a lot of upgrades and quality features to the mix, giving you an impressive midsize pickup truck to drive and enjoy every day. Will this be the truck you love to take out on the trails or will you keep it on the road? If this is the truck for you, it’s time to head over to your local Nissan dealer to find the right trim to drive home today.
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