2023 Nissan Frontier

　　

2023 Nissan Frontier Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　After a long-overdue full redesign last year, the 2023 Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup truck worthy of your consideration. It's far more pleasant to drive than the previous model, with a smoother ride quality and more capable handling in the curves, and the interior is more contemporary with noticeably better materials. Technology is also more up-to-date, both in terms of infotainment and advanced safety features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Nissan Frontier S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$185/mo  for Frontier S

　　Frontier S

　　S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $29,190 MSRPS 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $29,570 MSRPS 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $30,490 MSRPS 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $30,870 MSRPS 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $32,390 MSRPS 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $32,770 MSRPS 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $33,490 MSRPS 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $33,870 MSRPSV 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $31,890 MSRPSV 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $32,270 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $33,290 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $33,670 MSRPSV 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $35,090 MSRPSV 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $35,470 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $36,120 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $36,290 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $36,500 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $36,670 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $39,120 MSRPSV 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $39,500 MSRPPRO-X 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $35,720 MSRPPRO-X 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $36,100 MSRPPRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB w/Prod. End 03/23 (3.8L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $38,720 MSRPPRO-4X 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) - $39,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$219/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　That said, it's not without its faults, including its heavy steering and less rear seat space than rival crew cabs offer. So even though the Frontier is now a more refined truck, we suggest checking out the competition, which includes the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado and its GMC Canyon twin. Smaller trucks such as the Ford Maverick are also worth considering if your towing and hauling needs aren't as demanding. You can see all of the Frontier's hits and misses in our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Frontier drive? The Frontier isn't the quickest midsize truck. Our Frontier Pro-4X test truck accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is an average time for the class. But the engine really shines in day-to-day driving. There's ample midrange grunt and the transmission doles out smooth shifts even under full-throttle acceleration. The Frontier's brakes are similarly effortless. They're easy to operate in city traffic as well as powerful enough to stop the truck promptly when you need it.

　　Confident handling is another bright spot for the Frontier. The truck feels planted around turns, even with the Pro-4X's off-road-oriented tires. But the very heavy steering is a head-scratcher. It requires a considerable amount of effort to maneuver the Nissan through a parking lot or over a trail at low speeds.

　　The Frontier Pro-4X includes beefy skid plates, off-road oriented tires and special shock absorbers. It also features an impressive 9.8 inches of ground clearance and an electronically locking rear differential for added traction. While it lacks the more extreme off-road software and hardware of the Tacoma TRD Pro and Gladiator Rubicon, the Frontier can take on its fair share of rugged terrain.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Frontier? The highlight here is the Frontier's comfortable ride quality. Big dips and bumps are simply shrugged off at high speeds, and the Frontier remains similarly composed around town. Other aspects of the Frontier aren't as polished. The front seat's padding is a bit too firm and flat, and a lack of seat adjustments means you might find it hard to settle into an optimal seating position.

　　The climate control system is relatively straightforward to operate and is able to maintain a comfortable temperature on a hot day. But we were disappointed that our Frontier didn't have air vents for rear passengers. We also noticed an excessive amount of wind noise on the highway.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below