The current, way too outdated version of Nissan’s mid-size pickup is finally going to be replaced. It’s been 15 years since the current generation was new, so it’s not hard to conclude that it needs a lot of improvement in order to compete with much younger rivals. So far, this truck was popular mainly because of Nissan’s policy to give it at a bargain price. However, even will stop working in the near future, so the Japanese manufacturer decided to give a complete overhaul. The new model was planned as the 2021 model, but that has been delayed and the latest reports suggest we are about to see an all-new 2022 Nissan Frontier in the second half of the year.
At this point, we know a couple of details about the new generation. While the styling and interior design still remain a mystery, we are already familiar with the engine and transmission. Also, we know for sure that Nissan won’t do anything radical and that the new model will ride on a significantly updated version of a familiar F-Alpha architecture.
2022 Nissan Frontier Redesign
Given the fact that the outgoing model has been around for a full 15 years, it’s no wonder that the new 2022 Nissan Frontier will bring tons of significant changes. However, it won’t be built from the scratch, as some were expecting. Instead, it will continue to ride on a well-known F-Alpha platform, which will be significantly updated for this occasion.
Of course, it will utilize lightweight materials, so the new model will certainly be lighter but the new technologies should also make it stiffer. Furthermore, we count on a completely new suspension setup and we would be glad to see something similar to the internationally-offered Navara, which offers a very balanced ride that is comfortable but doesn’t sacrifice capabilities and overall performance.
Exterior
When it comes to the exterior design, many things are still kept a secret. The testing model has been a spotter a couple of times. We saw both extended and double cab layouts and both of them still wear a complete camouflage. However, some things can be seen through the cover and that particularly refers to the front end. There, you can notice a pretty massive grille, which obviously takes a lot of inspiration from the updated Titan. On the other side, headlights look quite similar to those in Navara.
The rest of the exterior is still a mystery. Still, the test model doesn’t seem much bigger than the current generation. For reference, the current model features around 126 inches in wheelbase. Another interesting thing is that one of the mules is actually an off-road version, which will come under the Pro-4X badge. This one will bring all kinds of upgrades, both in terms of mechanics and aesthetics.
Interior
This is where we expect to see the most significant improvements. As we are talking about a 15-year-old vehicle, there is no wonder that the cabin is the weakest point at the moment. Simply, a lot of things have changed in the last 15 years. Pickup trucks aren’t just working mules anymore. There is a lot about style and interior quality as well, as manufacturers are trying to provide the best-possible drive experience.
So, we expect to see nothing less from the 2022 Nissan Frontier. It will certainly come with a modern cabin, with attractive aesthetics and much finer materials. Of course, we also count on the latest tech goodies, which would include a large infotainment screen, smartphone integration, loads of driver-assist features etc. As we already mentioned, we count on all three cab layouts to be in the offer – regular, extended and double.
2022 Nissan Frontier Engine
This is the thing we know most about at the moment. The new engine already debuted in the current generation and it brings notable improvements in terms of power. Instead of a 4.0-liter unit, there is now a 3.8-liter V6 engine, which puts out 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. Also, it comes in pair with a new 9-speed automatic transmission.
The new engine will show its quality with the new generation. We expect it will be able to provide higher efficiency, but also higher capabilities. The current model can tow up to 6.720 pounds and features a max payload of 1.450. We have no doubt that these numbers will improve, at least marginally.
2022 Nissan Frontier Release Date and Price
We expect to see 2022 Nissan Frontier sometime in the second half of the year. The exact date is yet to be announced, but we know that base models will go around 28.000 dollars. That’s significantly higher compared to the current model, but the new generation will still be an amazing value, given the fact that the V6 engine is standard. Most rivals offer four-cylinder units at this price range.
