Built on the expertise of more than 62 years of Nissan truck heritage, the Nissan Frontier has been re-invented for 2022 to deliver on modern midsize truck buyer needs.
“The all-new 2022 Nissan Frontier embodies everything that is great about midsize trucks, and everything that is great about the new Nissan,” said Jared Haslam, vice president, Product and Services Planning, Nissan U.S. and Canada. “It’s a truck in every sense of the word, with a true personality unlike any other – a complete package of capability, drivability, comfort, technology and style. The all-new Frontier is a truck you’ll feel proud to have in your driveway – and everywhere you go.”
The all-new 2022 Nissan Frontier goes on sale late summer 2021.
Imposing exterior design with character
The all-new Frontier design combines aggressive, modern style with elements inspired by the iconic Nissan Hardbody, a truck that burnished its rough and rugged reputation winning off-road races in the 1980s and 1990s.
Frontier features a powerful front end with a massive grille and chiseled hood, framed by new precision interlocking headlights. A wide, elevated stance and massive vertical fenders evoke durability and strength, accentuated by a high eye-point and high shoulder bodysides – where natural light and shadows meet.
In the rear, precision lighting features a machined, structural look, with the lamps appearing to clamp to the body sides. The muscular rear fenders combine with the rear bumper for an athletic, uncompromising stance.
Featuring the same wheelbase as the previous model (126.0 inches), Frontier remains the “right-sized” pickup, precisely agile for a weekend of off-road adventure or a workweek in the city.
Body colors such as Tactical Green Metallic offer a new, yet familiar, perspective – inspired by tech-savvy backcountry gear. Another example, Boulder Gray Pearl, helps accentuate the Frontier’s exterior form and pairs well with bold accent colors.
In total, nine exterior colors intended for adventure are offered: the new Boulder Gray Pearl, Tactical Green Metallic (premium color), Baja Storm (premium color) and Cardinal Red Metallic Tricolor (premium color), along with Deep Blue Pearl, Red Alert, Glacier White, Gun Metallic and Super Black.
And for an even more aggressive look, the specially-equipped 4×4-only Frontier PRO-4X and new-for-2022 2WD-only Frontier PRO-X feature LED headlamps, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED fog lights and Lava Red grille accents.
Confident capability with a rugged yet playful personality
Building on a proven chassis and frame – one of the most durable in the midsize truck segment with multiple industry quality and durability awards – the engineering team refined and tuned the powertrain, steering and suspension with a focus on the demands of U.S. truck owners.
The standard 310-horsepower 3.8-liter direct injection V6 engine, which was all-new for 2020 with 93 percent new or redesigned parts, offers best-in-class horsepower1 and is optimized for this application. Torque is rated at 281 lb-ft.
Matched to the engine is a 9-speed automatic transmission, also all-new for 2020, tuned to maximize efficiency and provide strong acceleration. With the 9-speed automatic transmission’s wider gear ratio and high-response electro-hydraulic control (versus the previous Frontier’s 5-speed design), Frontier’s shifts are quick, crisp and offer the driver a confident, direct-shift feel. A larger lockup area helps reduce energy loss and enhance fuel efficiency.
Frontier fuel economy is now rated an EPA estimated 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined – 4×2; and 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined – 4×46.
Nissan also retuned Frontier’s hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear for 2022 to provide better on-center feel, helping to reduce driver fatigue on long trips. Steering gear ratio has been increased by 16 percent, leading to a more enjoyable driving experience with faster response and less steering effort.
Frontier’s front and rear suspensions offer best-level ride and handling both on- and off-road. New hydraulic cab mounts reduce road vibration by 80 percent, while new urethane jounce bumpers provide improved damping for a smoother ride over potholes and rough roads, and while off-roading. In addition to a larger front stabilizer bar, a rear stabilizer bar reduces body roll and increases traction. Standard 4-wheel ABS disc brakes provide confident stopping power.
Frontier 4×4 models feature a shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes operated by an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. Frontier 4×4 models come standard with a 4-wheel limited-slip system, which helps transfer power to the drive wheels with more grip on low traction surfaces. Hill Start Assist is standard on all models, and Hill Descent Control is standard on all 4×4 models – helping adventurers climb and descend steep grades. Also standard on 4×4 models is a front steel skid plate.
The PRO-4X model adds an electronic locking rear differential; Bilstein off-road shock absorbers; and one front aluminum and three steel underbody skid plates (oil pan, transfer case and fuel tank) for the most fierce of off-road adventurers.
Frontier’s towing capacity is rated at up to 6,720 pounds (maximum, when properly equipped). New for 2022 is standard Trailer Sway Control, which can detect sway and automatically apply the brakes to eliminate it for a more confident towing experience. Frontier now also features two front tow hooks in comparison to the previous model’s one.
A protective, utility-centric interior
Seamlessly blending with the powerful new exterior, designers gave the all-new interior a feeling of protection and versatility with modern functionality. New trim, finishers and meter accents are inspired by adventure gear.
Helping set the stage is an available, largest-in-class 9-inch color touchscreen display2 with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™7 – both of which are standard on all models. The new center stack is simplified and intuitive, allowing for a user-friendly experience for driver and passenger.
Further making life easier, a largest-in-class8 standard 7.0-inch Advanced Driver Assist Display offers configurable information directly in front of the driver.
Addressing common customer needs, Frontier provides 4.0 liters of center console storage – almost double that of most midsize pickups – as well as 5.7 liters of rear-door-pocket storage and 6.5 liters of front-door-pocket storage. Storage is also provided at the top of the instrument panel for the first time. All told, Frontier features 51.2 liters of interior storage – up from 48.8 liters on the previous model.
Frontier features up to eight beverage holders – including four door trim holders large enough to fit a standard 32-ounce water bottle (Crew Cab models).
Added insulation, improved rear carpet structure, and new front-door acoustic laminated glass all reduce interior road noise. Engine noise has been reduced by 5 decibels during acceleration, road noise has been reduced by 3 decibels, and wind noise has been reduced by 2.5 decibels. Each of these refinements combine to create a more comfortable, enjoyable drive experience on- or off-road.
Standard front Zero Gravity seats provide initial softness with lateral support to help reduce long-range driving fatigue.
Interior color options include Charcoal, Sandstone and the PRO-4X/PRO-X’s Charcoal with Lava Red.
Easy-to-utilize, spacious bed
Bed utility continues to be a strength for Frontier. Bed height has increased by 1.4 inches, helping lead to 40.1 cubic feet of bed volume (5-foot bed; 49.2 cubic feet 6-foot bed) – seven percent more than the previous model. Frontier’s unique Utili-Track® system provides ultimate cargo hauling flexibility through the use of three special “C” cross-section rails mounted in the bed. In addition, four fixed bed tie-down hooks help secure adventure gear of all shapes and sizes.
A new dampened tailgate assist – which assists the user while opening and closing the tailgate – is standard on all models, allowing for easy one-handed loading and unloading. Inside, an available factory-applied spray-in bedliner brings an added layer of durability. Two standard stop lamp lights mounted on the back of the cab and two new available LED cargo bed lights make the all-new Frontier ready for any adventure, night or day.
A 5-foot bed is standard on all Crew Cab models, with a 6-foot bed available on Crew Cab SV Long Wheelbase models. A 6-foot bed is also standard on all King Cab models.
An abundance of modern tech and safety features
A long list of advanced technology and safety features make each ride more confident, including five new class-exclusive features9.
Wireless smartphone charging and NissanConnect® with Wi-Fi Hotspot10, available on PRO models, keep driver and passengers connected. Standard on all models are two front USB ports (one Type-A, one Type-C), two front 12V outlets and Siri® Eyes Free10. Two rear USB ports (one Type-A, one Type-C) are also standard on Crew Cab models. Two 120V outlets with 400-watt capability – one in the rear, one in the bed – are available on SV and PRO models, allowing users to easily power a wide variety of indoor and outdoor accessories. Fender® Premium Audio with 10 speakers is available on SV and PRO grades.
The 2022 Frontier is the first application of Nissan Intelligent Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode3. Nissan was the first automaker to offer Around View Monitor, which creates a birds’ eye view by stitching together views from four cameras mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
The new Off-Road Mode available on Frontier PRO-4X automatically turns the cameras on when the vehicle is in 4LO, ideal for negotiating tight trails without having an external spotter to avoid potential body scrapes or dents.
Nissan Safety Shield® 360 – featuring Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and class-exclusive Rear Automatic Braking11 – is available on all models.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Easy Fill Tire Alert and class-exclusive4 Intelligent Forward Collision Warning are standard. Additional available features include Intelligent Cruise Control, class-exclusive5 Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Driver Alertness. Rear Door Alert12 is standard on all models. The all-new Frontier features eight standard airbags.
A range of models and features
The 2022 Frontier King Cab is offered in 4×2 and 4×4 S and SV grades. The 2022 Frontier Crew Cab is available in 4×2 and 4×4 S, SV SWB (standard bed) and SV LWB (long bed), along with the Crew Cab PRO-4X (4×4 only) and new-for-2022 PRO-X (4×2 only).
The Frontier S grade features 16-inch steel wheels, LED rear lamps, 8.0-inch color touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™10, push button start and more. Frontier SV adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power outside mirrors, 6-way power driver’s seat, Tow/Haul mode and more.
The PRO-X and PRO-4X grades feature 17-inch painted aluminum-alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, Bilstein Off Road shock absorbers, fender flares, LED headlights, Daytime Running Lights and fog lights, 9.0-inch color touchscreen display, Nissan Door to Door Navigation13, NissanConnect® Services powered by SirusXM®, NissanConnect® with Wi-Fi hotspot10, unique interior treatment and accents and more. The PRO-4X grade also adds an electronic locking rear differential and three steel underbody skid plates.
Three packages are available: Technology Package (S, SV, PRO), Convenience Package (SV, PRO), and Premium Package (SV, PRO).
More than 80 Nissan and NISMO accessories are available for the 2022 Frontier, including sport bar, off-road step rails with removable steps, NISMO suspension system, off-road lighting, OverHaul HD bed rack and tents. Additional accessories are in development.
