Road test | 2022 Nissan Frontier: New from old

A lot can happen in 16 years. Four terms of American presidents, several thanked Canadian coaches and a number of technological innovations that reinvent our daily lives. This is also the immensely long period that the second-generation Nissan Frontier has been offered, from 2005 to 2021. The midsize pickup, which has long been a staple in the segment, got a facelift for the 2022 model year , but in no way rethinks the concept.

Charles Rene
The Press

Design

At first glance, this third vintage of the van resolutely changes its presentation, which was previously rather generic. In Pro-4X attire of the livery tested, the Frontier presents an image of vigor supported by its well squared shoulders as well as its rectangular grille with beefy moldings. The well-exposed front skid plate flaunts its off-road pretensions, as do its barely-there 17-inch wheels donning meaty pneumatic tires to withstand protruding obstacles. In terms of configuration, two types of cabin are available to the buyer: one less voluminous (King Cab) with rear doors with reverse hinges and the other, full-size (Crew Cab). Two box lengths are available: 1.5 m or 1.86 m. The latter is standard if you opt for the smaller cabin.

On board

Nissan takes up here the stylistic codes consecrated in traditional vans. The Frontier sports generalized rectangular shapes to give an industrial, more robust look to the rendering. To break with the dark shades, some orange accents are added in the finish of the doors and by means of topstitching. Moreover, we salute the great simplicity of the rendering compared to more recent approach models which require the use of the infotainment system for almost everything. All the keys are within easy reach, but there is however a generalized use of parts made of rigid plastic. In addition, the assembly seems a little uneven in parallel in places. The absence of a telescoping steering wheel also limits adjustments for the driver. If you opt for the shorter cabin, the rear seats will probably make even your dog wince at how snug they are. There is therefore no tangible advantage in opting for this combination, except to save slightly or to benefit from the long hull without increasing the overall length.

Under the hood

It’s a 3.8L V6 that’s responsible for moving this Frontier. It features direct injection and belongs to the venerable line of VQ engines. Despite that fact, Nissan says it’s made up of 93 percent new or tweaked parts to help it produce 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, all in all competitive numbers. It is joined by a 9-speed transmission to perform the task. Overall, her outfit is very satisfactory. The power curve is progressive and its manners are much better than the previous V6s of this line, criticized for their roughness. The transmission, operated by means of a good old lever, also responds in an acceptable time, without jerking. The pickup’s towing capacities are between 2844 kg and 2980 kg, which is far behind the Ford Ranger and the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon duo, but comparable to the Toyota Tacoma.

Behind the wheel

This 2022 Frontier is essentially based on the reworked ladder chassis of the previous generation, but Nissan assures that efforts have been concentrated on the steering and on the suspension elements. These elements nevertheless remain very conformist in their design: steel arms with double wishbones at the front and leaf springs at the rear. The steering is one of the few to use hydraulic assistance, but you don’t get the more communicative feel benefits often associated with this technical approach. It is also oddly very heavy at low speeds. Despite the use of Bilstein shocks, the Pro-4X version proved rather bouncy and clumsy in daily driving. When the surface becomes more crevassed, their long stroke nevertheless diminishes the effects of shaking. This off-road-focused option package also adds an electronic locking differential for traction. It teams up with a standard four-wheel-drive system that doesn’t offer an automatic mode.

Embedded technologies

There is very little to say about the purely technological aspect of the Frontier. It features an optional large 9-inch touchscreen that controls an infotainment system that’s easy to use but rather outdated in layout and functionality. It is certainly not a product that targets technology enthusiasts. The heartbreaking quality definition of its reversing camera exposes it in an obvious way. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are nevertheless integrated as standard, which is now essential in the automotive world. The instrumentation, which mixes physical needles with a digital central screen, is for its part readable. Regarding safety, all the common elements are there as standard: blind spot sensors, adaptive cruise control and active braking assistance.

The verdict

Probably working with limited means to ensure the development of this new generation of the Frontier, the engineers tried as best they could to pull this intermediate van up. Certainly, it is more refined than before thanks to a refreshed cabin, a smoother and smoother engine as well as a higher degree of soundproofing. The fact remains that we have the irrepressible impression of driving an old vehicle. It is also less financially accessible than its American rivals while being able to tow a lower load than them. It therefore really targets the Tacoma head-on in its price range and its capacities, without having its notoriety. We would probably have liked to have a little more around the bone, especially if we take into account the arrival of new generations of vans with monocoque chassis which are more refined and less greedy, but obviously do not offer its robustness. It all depends on the needs, in short.