A New Frontier
The last honest pickup truck you could buy in the US was long overdue for an update. This new 2022 redesign is the first significant change we’ve seen to the Frontier since 2004. Think about that, where were you in ’04? How many of you reading this were still coloring with crayons in 2004?
During this time, Nissan has been tinkering with the Frontier to improve it while leaving the cosmetics, and most of the interior, to fall under the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. The 2022 Frontier is an all-new design, but sources state that underneath the modern skin is a familiar frame that’s been evolving over nearly 20 years. Is that a bad thing? No. So let’s take a look at what’s new on the 2022 Nissan Frontier.
Starting with how it looks, designers of 2022 Nissan Frontier took inspiration from the original Nissan hardbody pickup trucks of the 1980s and 1990s many grew up seeing. The 2022 Frontier sports a square-jaw with a vertically flat nose and horizontal hood in a theme that flows through the rest of the truck.
Nissan mentioned that the 2022 Frontier is roughly the same size as the outgoing model, with only a five-inch increase in length. In an era where full-size trucks can reach commercial vehicle proportions and mid-size trucks hitting growth spurts, the Nissan Frontier remains the right-sized mid-size pickup truck.
Under the 2022 Nissan Frontier’s hood beats a 3.8-liter V6 pumping 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque through a new nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in 2WD or shift-on-the-fly part time 4WD, the Nissan Frontier has the muscle to back its rugged good looks. New for the Frontier is a 360 view camera system with what Nissan calls “off-road mode,” which allows drivers to have an eye on where each wheel is going through wild terrain in low gear.
Available in King Cab or Crew Cab, the Frontier’s bed is six feet long in King Cab, and Crew Cab offers five feet of cargo bed real estate. Max payload for the 2022 Nissan Frontier is rated at 1,610 lbs. in 2WD configuration and delivers a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. One standard feature on all 2022 Frontiers is Nissan’s Trailer Sway Control, which automatically applies the brakes when the truck detects sway.
Standard features on 4Wd Frontiers include Standard Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control on these 4WD models and a four-wheel limited-slip system to give the Frontier mountain goat legs while off-roading. Top tier trim packages like the 4WD Pro-4X come standard with Bilstein off-road shocks, an electronic locking differential, and a skid plate to protect the underbody. The 2WD Pro-X offers Bilstein shocks minus the skid plate and locking diff.
The Nissan Frontier’s interior has been showing its age for years. A brand-new interior on the 2022 model is a refreshing sight. Highlights include the addition of Nissan’s famed Zero Gravity seats to improve comfort. Nissan also made the cabin quieter, and improvement to suspension and steering make this new Frontier a pleasure to cruise on the open road rocking out to the Frontier’s Fender audio system.
The biggest flex on the Nissan Frontier’s interior is the amount of storage space. In total, the 2022 Nissan Frontier offers 12.2 liters of storage, and we’re just talking about pockets in the doors! Other interior features include:
- Wireless charging.
- A new digital dashboard.
- An optional nine-inch touchscreen.
- Multiple USB ports.
- An optional 12-volt outlet in the bed for SV and Pro Frontiers.
Nissan Pro Frontiers also get to a splash of color to showcase its go-anywhere ability.
The 2022 Nissan Frontier will be available in summer 2021.
Jesus Behind the Wheel 