After being sold on our market unchanged for over a decade, the Nissan Frontier compact pickup finally gets a complete model redesign for the year 2022. While it still rides on the same architecture, it houses an all-new 3.8L V6 good for 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an equally new nine-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2.5L four-cylinder and six-speed manual transmission are now things of the past. The Frontier retains a hydraulic power steering setup for improved feel and precision during off-roading. The towing rating, however, drops from 6,720 to 6,490 pounds. Same story for max payload, it slightly dips from 1,460 to 1,400 pounds.
Here’s our full 2022 Nissan Frontier review with drive impressions.
Why the Pro-4X Is the Frontier’s Wild Side
Key Pro-4X Specs:
- Engine: V6
- Transmission: Automatic
- Drivetrain: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Off-Road Features: Skid plates, Bilstein shocks, all-terrain tires
- Exterior Design: Unique badging, dark-colored accents, roof rack (possible)
- Interior Features: Supportive seats with Pro-4X branding, advanced infotainment
- Safety Features: Advanced driver-assistance systems
The new Pro-4X includes off-road specific gear like a rear-locking limited-slip differential, Bilstein performance shocks, off-road tires, and skid plates to protect its oil pan and transfer case. While the US market will have a choice of two-wheel or 4-wheel drive configurations, Canada gets standard 4-wheel drive across the lineup. King and crew cab configurations are back, with five or six-foot beds available.
A Redesigned Nissan Frontier Interior
Changes were also applied inside, where the new Frontier gets a much more modern and refined interior. Pro-4X models get unique colour combinations, while the entire lineup receives an all-new infotainment system with 8- and 9-inch screens. The system will incorporate a slew of off-road specific apps as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot and Android / Apple CarPlay connectivity. Here’s the outgoing 2020 Frontier vs. the redesigned 2022 model to close out.
2022 Nissan Frontier Full Specs
| Spec | Metric |
|---|---|
| Body configurations | King Cab, Crew Cab |
| Drive configuration | 4-wheel drive |
| Platform | Heavy-duty fully boxed ladder frame |
| Powertrain | 3.8-litre direct injection V6 |
| Horsepower | 310-hp |
| Torque | 281 lb/ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Towing capacity | U.S. – 6,720 pounds/3,408 kilograms – S 4×2 Canada – 6,490 pounds/2,944 kilograms – S 4×4 |
| Payload | 1,400 pounds/635 kilograms – 4WD S |
| Brakes | 4-wheel vented discs, ABS |
| Steering | Engine speed-sensitive power rack and pinion |
| Wheels | 16-inch steel or 17-inch aluminum-alloy |
| Tires | 265/70R16, 265/65R17 or 265/70R17 |
| Wheelbase | Standard Wheelbase (SWB): 126.0 in./3,200 mm Long Wheelbase (LWB): 139.8 in./3,550 mm |
| Overall width | 73.0 in./1,853.5 mm |
| Overall length | Standard Wheelbase (SWB): 210.2 in./5,338.1 mm Long Wheelbase (LWB): 224.1 in./ 5,692.1 |
| Bed dimensions | Length: 58.9 in./1,495.5mm – SWB Crew Cab PRO-4X 73.3 in./1,861.5mm – LWB Crew Cab and standard King Cab 72.6 in./1,845.5mm – King Cab Pro-4X Width: 61.4 in. (at C-Channel) Depth: 19.4 in |
