Every truck in our 2016 Mid-Size Truck Shootout represents each manufacturer’s off-road package, and the Nissan Frontier can be fairly described as the truck in most need of a refresh. But the PRO-4X Frontier has really held up to the test of time. The truck enters this year’s test as the most affordable at $35,810, and while the Frontier returns with no major changes it still offers a great value proposition for mid-size truck buyers.
Powered by the tried-and-true 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6, the Frontier is rated to produced 261 horsepower a 5,600 rpm, and its torque rating at 281 lb.-ft. is only beaten by the Canyon’s Duramax diesel. It’s worth noting the Frontier is the only truck in the test with a five-speed automatic transmission, as both GMC and Toyota have moved to six-speeds, and that lack of one gear might be part of the reason the Frontier’s 3.5L V6 is rated as the least efficient engine of the treat at 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway.
The Frontier is the shortest truck of the test (205.5 inches compared to the next-closest Tacoma at 212.3) and has the shortest wheelbase as well (125.9 inches vs. the Tacoma’s 127.4). The Frontier does still offer a competitive towing capacity of 6,100 lbs. and a maximum payload rating of 1,049 lbs.
Be sure to see which truck took home the crown in this year’s 2016 Mid-Size Truck Shootout.
2016 Mid-Size Truck Shootout – Tale of the Tape
2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
Specifications
2016 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
Engine: 4.0L DOHC 24-valve V6
Model: Crew Cab
Horsepower: 261 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 281 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Curb Weight*: 4,580 lbs.
Height: 73.9 in.
Track Width: 61.8 in.
Length: 205.5 in.
Wheelbase: 125.9 in.
Ground Clearance: 8.9 in.
Approach Angle: 32.6 degrees
Departure Angle: 23.3 degrees
Breakover Angle: 20.5 degrees
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: N/A
Towing Capacity: 6,100 lbs.
Payload Capacity: 1,049 lbs.
Fuel Tank: 21.1 gal.
Seating Capacity: 5
Axle Ratio: 3.357
MPG Rating: 15 city, 21 hwy
Aver. MPG (tested): 17.6 (combined)
Price: $35,810
*Weighed with full tank of gas