Was it done on accident or on purpose? The current-generation Nissan Frontier model has been on sale since 2004, making it one of America’s oldest trucks still on sale today. But now a new version looks to be on the doorstep. It looks like Nissan may have leaked a picture of it in a new video.
At 11 minutes and 46 seconds into the video, a group of Nissan designers can be standing in front of design sketches on a wall. Right in front of them is a sketch that appears to show America’s 2021 Frontier with no camouflage parked next to Europe’s Navara facelift and the updated Titan. The “Next Truck” text in the corner also leaves no doubt that we’re looking at America’s new Frontier, which has some notable styling differences to its European counterpart.
The new Frontier looks larger than the Navara and sports the same stylish LED headlights and split daytime running lights as we saw in Nissan’s recent teaser.
The 2020 Nissan Frontier is a rugged and practical midsize pickup truck that’s easy to use and has a low starting price. Its V6 engine offers best-in-class standard horsepower, allowing the compact Frontier to tow up to 6,720 pounds. Shoppers seeking a tough off-roader should check out the PRO-4X trim with its Bilstein suspension. Rivals offer newer technology and more comfort, but the Frontier packs a lot of capability in a low-priced package.
Pros
- Standard V6 engine has good acceleration
- Straightforward and durable design
- Rugged PRO-4X trim is capable off-road
Cons
- Few available driver assistance technologies
- Dated interior is ready for a modern overhaul
- Fuel economy lags behind some rivals
Nissan previously offered two engines for the Frontier, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and a 4.0-liter V6. Those were discontinued this year in favor of a new, 3.8-liter V6 engine, which makes 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque.
Last year’s automatic and transmissions are also gone, replaced by a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic. The Frontier uses regular unleaded gas and has a 21.1-gallon fuel tank capacity. The EPA estimates that with two-wheel-drive, the Nissan should return 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined.
While it lacks the tech features and refinement of competitors, the Nissan Frontier remains an excellent choice for shoppers in need of a tough, compact pickup truck. It comes with a V6 engine that makes impressive power, and the available four-wheel-drive provides added peace of mind when encountering harsh weather or terrain.
The two bed-length options allow for adequate cargo space and hauling capacity. A redesigned Frontier will debut next year, bringing more driver safety assists and an updated interior. Nonetheless, the Frontier offers a lot of capability in a simple, affordable package.
