Oh, how times change. Testing the updated Nissan Frontier against the Toyota Tacoma just two years ago, I remarked that the Toyota held my heart. Now that the Taco’s entered a polished new generation though, the Frontier arguably drives more like a Tacoma than the Tacoma does.
This can be taken as charming of course, for there are a traditional few among us who like a truck that feels trug: hydraulic steering, straightforward construction, limited tech, maybe even some dim halogen headlamps. The new 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody’s further ’90s-nostalgic accoutrements are a welcome realization of the coolly nostalgic Frontier Hardbody concept, but after just a year’s value-option edge over the competition, Toyota’s newer tech and lower price have already rendered it obsolete.
Nissan Frontier ‘D41’ updates
- Slightly updated frame; new 3.8L V6 engine; 301 hp, 281 lb-ft
Nissan isn’t a fast-moving company, so it was big news when the 2022 Frontier finally departed the 16-year-old ‘D40’ platform. The new-generation ‘D41’ retained a lengthened and strengthened rework of the old frame, but otherwise fitted a new powertrain and a newer assortment of almost-current tech.
Vitals now register at 301 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. A naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 routes through a smooth-flowing nine-speed automatic transmission, and a selectable transfer case offers 2H, 4H, and 4L settings.
That direct-injected, non-turbocharged powertrain feels surprisingly spry. Hold the brake at a red light, and the Frontier feels like it’s ripping at the torque converter, eager to set off — indeed, it takes a firmer brake than others to keep static. It feels plenty underway too, making this light pickup feel almost sporty when merging. Acceleration is a heady-for-the-segment 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h.
Steering remains memorably heavy. It also remains particularly heavy for a hydraulically assisted rack; as I wrote two years ago, I’ve driven easier-steering six-ton trucks. The steering column tilts but does not telescope, which may leave it farther away than taller drivers may like. The wheel complaints continue, for steering-mounted buttons feel distinctly cheap for the segment, and still knocking about an unintuitive up-down media-seek layout. That cheapness continues to other materials and textiles throughout the cabin, if softened by the unexpected quiet of dual-pane front windows.
That plus is unfortunately short-lived, however, for also continued from the past is that clumsy, ugly, dated infotainment. The 2024 Nissan Frontier offers standard wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to try to minimize your contact with this digital disappointment, but no wireless projection is available. You can still pair and play via conventional Bluetooth of course, but then you’re trapped in that poor infotainment environment.
Outside, the ‘Hardbody’ is a throwback to the classic D21 ‘Hardbody’ pickup of the 1980s and 90s. So equipped with a playful bed-mounted roll bar, tri-spoke wheels, and stickers, there’s a spiritual connection as well to the D21 Desert Runner, a rare 1988 example of which we featured here on Driving. This bit of nostalgic dress goes some way for curb appeal, but like bright candy colours on a sad, cheap compact, it rings a little last-ditch for a product that hasn’t much else going for it.
Towing & fuel economy
- 11.6 L/100 km (20 mpg) combined fuel economy
- 6,240 lbs (2,830 kg) towing capacity
The D41 Frontier’s 3.8L V6 gets some marks for straightforwardness, for non-turbocharged engines are a rarity in this modern era. This comes with some compromise in power and economy, but should prove comforting for anyone looking to make regular use of the truck’s rated 6,240-pound (2,830-kilo) towing capacity. The D41 Frontier uses a licenced derivative of the Mercedes-Benz ‘9G-Tronic’ nine-speed automatic transmission. While subject to some complaints in smoothness-focused German luxury products, the setup is designed to handle heaps more pain than the 3.8L can hope to put to it.
NRCan-rated fuel economy for the 2024 Nissan Frontier posts at 12.8 L/100 km (18 mpg) city, 10.2 L/100 km (24 mpg) highway, and 11.6 L/100 km (20 mpg) combined. A week of mixed city-highway testing indicated consumption figures in the low 13s per 100 kilometres.
Shoppers should note that based on data since its launch in 2022, Consumer Reports pegs the new-gen Nissan Frontier’s predicted reliability at a somewhat troubling 2/5.
2024 Nissan Frontier pricing & competitors
The Nissan Frontier’s glut of 2023 trims has been streamlined into five, with this Hardbody special slotting into the middle. Base Frontier SVs (that’s for ‘Super Value,’ no joke) now start from $49,028 after $2,030 destination fee, followed by the SL at $51,528 and this Hardbody at $52,028. Tacoma TRD Off-Road cross-shoppers will be most interested in the slightly gnarlier Pro-4X available from $54,028; shoppers are advised to skip the underwhelming partial leather in the $57,528 Pro-4X Luxury top trim.
The Frontier previously bested the Toyota Tacoma on sticker price, but more aggressive pricing on the new-gen Taco’s entry trims undercut and effectively obviate the Frontier for 2024. Available from $48,880 after destination charge, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma posts better fuel economy, more torque, more towing capacity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for good measure. Importantly too, the new Tacoma’s fully boxed ladder frame affords better road manners than either its predecessors or the current Frontier. Dealer inventory is another matter, but if you can test-drive one back-to-back the all-around refinement will be readily apparent.
The Ford Ranger has been updated for 2024. Starting from $44,065, the updated Ranger is more modern with more capable driver assistance options available.
The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon match the Ranger in tech and modernity, and answer a far greater breadth of budgets and applications. Chevy Colorado Work Truck trims start from as low as $37,599, while GMC Canyon base rigs sticker from $49,299 in Canada. Like the Tacoma TRD Pro and Ford Ranger Raptor, harder-banging top-spec off-road trims climb well beyond the capabilities of the top Frontier Pro-4X models.
The Honda Ridgeline has grown into a more credible pickup than its early days, but while Honda may have smartened up and separated the box from the cab, the Odyssey minivan platform is no ladder-framed traditionalist. The 2025 Honda Ridgeline starts in Canada from $53,490.
2024 Nissan Frontier Pros & Cons
Pros
✔ Tri-spoke wheels
✔ Straightforward, traditional format
✔ Greater inventory availability than more desirable competitors
Cons
✘ Uncompetitive pricing for a dated product
✘ Poor quality materials
✘ Bad infotainment
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