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What do our experts think of the 2020 Nissan Frontier? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2020 Nissan Frontier?
Nissan adds a 3.8-liter V6 with 310-horsepower as the only engine for the 2020 Frontier. In addition, a nine-speed automatic is now the only transmission available. Finally, the trim lineup features just three different versions now.
2020 Nissan Frontier – usa.nissannews.com | Shop 2020 Nissan Frontier on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Inexpensive
Great new V6
Pro-4X is great off-road
Cheap interior
Dated technology
Poor fuel economy
Can’t wait for the full redesign
2020 Nissan Specs
- 310 horsepower from base engine
- 281 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 36.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- New 7-inch infotainment system
- Towing capacity of 6,720 lbs
- 3-year limited warranty
- Optional parking sensors
2020 Nissan Frontier Powertrain
It’s amazing what a new powertrain can do for a platform. The outgoing 2019 Frontier just felt archaic with regard to the way it delivered power. This truck does not. The nine-speed automatic paired with its new V6 partner is smooth and crisp. It’s not going to win any races but it finally feels modern.
At the same time, we’d love to see Nissan put more effort into the way this truck provides feedback. The pedal action isn’t linear so you have to depress each one quite a ways before anything starts to happen with the accelerator or the brake. In addition, the body rolls far more than we’d like. That soft suspension is great for trails and on-road comfort over bad pavement but it contributes to less confidence behind the wheel. If the next Frontier can provide better steering feedback and more predictable pedal action we’ll be much happier.
Where the Frontier really impresses is when the road runs out. The Pro-4X model is especially capable thanks to upgraded shocks, all-terrain tires, skid plates, a locking differential and more. If you need a vehicle that can go off-road every day this could very easily be it.
Towing & Payload
The 2020 Nissan Frontier has a 6,720-pound towing capacity when properly equipped. That’s enough to get most jobs done but it’s slightly behind trucks from Chevrolet and Toyota. Payload capacity is capped at 1,867-pounds.
2020 Nissan Frontier Fuel Economy & MPG
Despite having a new powertrain and more gears than the outgoing truck, the new 2020 Nissan Frontier isn’t particularly fuel efficient. According to the EPA the rear-wheel-drive version gets just 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The 4WD drops each of those numbers by a single digit.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
A lot of reviews on the Frontier will complain about how cheap and outdated the cabin is and to their credit, those critiques are valid. Nissan is desperately in need of a major update and they know that. Take one quick look at the steering wheel or the center control stack and you will too.
What many don’t mention is how rugged the interior actually is for workers or people who like to go play in the dirt. It’s easy to clean and hard to break. Those are important qualities for any truck.
In terms of comfort, the Frontier is fine. The rear seats are more cramped than we’d like but both occupants in the front seats should have no problem finding a pleasing seating position. We also love the visibility out of this truck which is as good if not slightly better than rivals. Finally, cargo space is a win too with multiple storage pockets in the cabin and decent enough storage in the bed itself.
Entertainment & Technology
Nissan includes a new 7-inch infotainment system with every Frontier for 2022. It isn’t a big step up though because it still doesn’t have Android or Apple connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or a good Bluetooth connection. In addition, there’s only a single USB port in the cabin itself. Nissan also fails to include any modern driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, or forward collision mitigation. The only real tech upgrade is a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system that’s only available in the Pro-4X. That trim also gets integrated navigation though it’s hard to program and feels far older than rival systems. Overall, technology is not the Frontier’s strong suit.
Safety Features
Overall, the Frontier is a step behind the times with regard to safety too. Not only does it lack any driver assistance technology but it also only scored four-stars in crash tests conducted by the NHTSA. Furthermore, the IIHS found that in many tests it was simply marginal in how it handled impacts.
2020 Nissan Frontier Trims & Pricing
S – $27,940
The base Frontier comes with rear-wheel-drive (4WD is optional), a 7-inch infotainment system, four speakers, steel wheels, cloth upholstery, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and a five-foot bed. Every Frontier uses the same 3.8-liter 310-horsepower V6. All trims are available in either a King Cab or a four-door crew-cab body style.
SV – $28,820
The SV gets alloy wheels, power-adjustable mirrors, upgraded cloth upholstery, and a sliding rear window. This is the only trim with an available 6.1-foot bed. It also comes standard with rear-wheel-drive but 4WD is available.
Pro-4X – $38,585
The off-road focused Pro-4X gets heated and power-adjustable front seats, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, skid plates, a locking differential, all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, a roof rack, leather upholstery, a 10-speaker infotainment system, and satellite radio.
Warranties
Nissan offers a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty on every brand new 2020 Frontier. That’s about the bare minimum for most companies these days.
What we think
2020 Nissan Frontier – usa.nissannews.com | Shop 2020 Nissan Frontier on Carsforsale.com
The 2020 Nissan Frontier is best used and owned as a workers truck. It’s not one that we’d pick for much else personally. It needs more technology, more safety equipment, and better on-road skills to qualify as a truck we’d want to drive every day or commute in. However, if your job requires you to be out in the wilderness regularly or you need a dependable work truck that’s hard to break, the 2020 Frontier might be the best option available.
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