The mid-size pickup segment has been the most populated battleground for quite a while. These pickups are the most popular for several reasons. They have good utility but also can function as everyday vehicles. People can use them as workhorses while also doing everyday tasks with them. They also improved their look immensely. The cabin style is a bit more luxurious than before and the outside styling isn’t simply functional. But they also have to be reliable, since they are put to the test quite often.
One thing we all know about Toyota Tacoma, it lasts a long time. It is one of the sturdiest and longest-lasting pickups. One other pickup that often gets mentioned in the reliable category is the Nissan Frontier. Both of these trucks have been on the market for quite a while and made a name for themselves. They also received many updates and are among the top sellers in the mid-size category. So we are trying to figure out which one wins the battle of a more reliable pickup. Let’s see more details about the Frontier and Tacoma and make our own conclusion.
Frontier vs Tacoma Engine
The Frontier’s 3.8-liter V6 engine produces a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, but its acceleration isn’t as brisk as it should be on paper. Even the outdated 3.5-liter V6 in the Tacoma, which only produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, seems more snappy. All things considered, neither vehicle is very fuel-efficient, but both are properly propelled. In combined driving, the Tacoma only achieved 16 mpg and the Frontier barely 18. The torquey turbo four in the Ford Ranger performs far superior (22 mpg combined driving) and looks just as powerful. Soon, we might see the hybrid version of Tacoma.
Off-Road Capacity
On the surface, both trucks appear to be very capable. Despite not having “auto” always-on four-wheel drive like the Chevy Colorado, the Tacoma TRD Pro and Frontier Pro-4X both have four high and four low gears, electronically locking back differentials, underbody skid protection, and all-terrain tires. The last remaining manual vehicle is the Tacoma, but most purchasers like automatics.
Both have trail cams on the front of the pickup with numerous viewpoints, which are essential for navigating hazards that would otherwise call for a spotter (although the Frontier’s display is larger and has superior resolution). Both trucks successfully navigated the course’s more challenging challenges, negotiating deep ruts and steep slopes without incident. The trucks have comparable ride height and this is perfect for offroading (9.4 inches), but the Tacoma has better maneuverability over steep barriers because of its wider approach and departure angles.
Greater suspension articulation is possible thanks to the Tacoma’s freshly crafted upper control arms, and its softer internal-bypass Fox shock bundle smooths out terrain roughness better than the Frontier’s more road-friendly Bilstein shocks, which can feel jittery and overworked at high speeds on gravel and washboard. Finally, the Tacoma’s low-speed “crawl control” makes negotiating difficult obstacles easier than the Frontier’s basic hill-descent assist, despite the fact that it is not as sophisticated as trail-control technology on rivals like the Ranger. Neither of these two is off-road capable as lets say a Gladiator. But they are quite good as a casual adventuring off-roader.
Utility
How skilled are the above-mentioned pickups, while doing some everyday pickup tasks? First off, neither the Pro-4X nor the TRD Pro can be built with a 6-foot bed; instead, they can only have a crew-cab configuration with a 5-foot bed. With a maximum payload of 1,230 pounds compared to the TRD Pro’s 1,135, the Frontier Pro-4X has a little advantage. Additionally, the floor of the Frontier’s bed is lower, which facilitates loading. Additionally, there are variances in the way the beds are furnished, with Toyota combining basic and exclusive goods while Nissan bundles the most useful stuff.
A three-rail sliding cleat system with robust cast-aluminum cleats, a spray-in bed liner, dual 120V outlets, LED lighting on the cargo bed, a Class IV receiver hitch with seven-pin wiring harness, and other conveniences like remote start and heated seats, steering wheels, and mirrors are included in the Pro-4X’s Convenience Package ($1,900). A kick-out step and a grab-handle fixed on a rail are also included in the $550 Bed Access Package, which can be used to make getting into the cargo that much easier. As far as towing is concerned, the Tacoma TRD Pro outperforms the Frontier Pro-4X with a maximum towing capability of 6,400 pounds (6,270).
The Frontier’s superb tow/haul mode, which maintains gears while accelerating and offers some engine braking downhill, helps it seem more controllable hauling close to its limit. The TRD Pro is more likely to appear inadequate in terms of power and will get pushed around by a medium-sized camper because to its jiggly shocks and simplified “ECT Power” mode that affects simply shift points.
Frontier vs Tacoma Price and Resale Value
The base pricing of the Frontier is $36,345 while the Tacoma costs around $47,800 with the destination. Towing gear, upscale audio, the surround-view display with trail views, and a complete set of important safety technology, including adaptive cruise, are all standard on the Toyota, but these features must be purchased as packages for the Nissan. As long as we are comparing pickups, the Tacoma explodes above $51,000 with the automatic gearbox and a few bed additions, while the Frontier comes out to slightly under $43,000 with Toyota-equivalent technology, convenience, and safety items included.
f course, what is vital to the consumer determines what is considered to be “value,” therefore individuals seeking intense off-road adventure may favor the TRD Pro. The less expensive Tacoma TRD Off-Road, which lacks bypass shocks and a few extra bells and whistles, offers access to the TRD Pro’s trail capabilities. Additionally, for about $44,500, the TRD Off-Road may be equipped with technology and equipment comparable to those found on the Frontier Pro-4X. This allows Tacoma devotees to save money while still making the Frontier a far better bang for buck offer.
In the end, the Tacoma offers far more in terms of capacity in addition to a well-established track record for dependability and market worth that the brand-new Frontier hasn’t yet developed. The Frontier Pro-4X, however, provides an enticing proposal to individuals who are contemplating the two trucks impartially quite possibly an off-road bargain—given the Frontier’s noticeable improvements over its previous generation, in addition to its superior handling, gas mileage, technology in the cabin, and price tag opposing the outdated Tacoma.
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