Under the Nissan NEXT business plan, the Japanese automaker has taken the veils off the brand-new Frontier for the U.S. market. Scheduled to arrive at dealerships this summer for the 2022 model year, the mid-size pickup comes with best-in-class horsepower thanks to a V6 engine.
Already introduced for the 2020 model year with 93 percent new or redesigned parts, the 2022 Frontier's 3.8-liter motor with direct injection cranks out 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet (381 Nm) of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission, which comes standard, features a much wider gear range compared to the previous five-speeder for a smoother, more economical driving experience.
Opting for the shift-on-the-fly 4WD system unlocks three operating modes, including 4LO for rock-climbing shenanigans on your favorite trail. Four-wheel drive further sweetens the deal with limited-slip assistance and Hill Descent Control, which is similar to cruise control but for off-road driving.
Level up to the PRO-4X trim level and Nissan is much obliged to improve the Frontier with an electronic locking differential, off-road shock absorbers from Bilstein, underbody skid plates, and a few decals on the sides of the bed. Speaking of which, a dampened tailgate is standard across the range.
LED bed lights, two stop lamp lights mounted on the back of the cab, Trailer Sway Control, and the Utili-track Channel System for maximum cargo hauling flexibility are worthy of your attention as well. When properly equipped, the Frontier is capable of towing 6,720 pounds (3,048 kilograms).
Described as a “right-sized pickup for a workweek in the city or a weekend off-road," the newest competitor in the segment offers more tech than its predecessor. It boasts Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning as standard. The Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode is optional, as are the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, Traffic Sign Recognition, and 9.0-inch multimedia system.
Available either as a King Cab or Crew Cab with five- and six-foot beds, the Frontier for the 2022 model year can be specified in no fewer than nine colors for the exterior. These are Glacier White, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Red Alert, Cardinal Red Metallic TriCoat, Deep Blue Pearl, Baja Storm, Tactical Green Metallic, and Boulder Grey Pearl. Last but certainly not least, more than 85 official accessories will be available at launch.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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