Tacoma/frontier

I just traded in my 2016 4x4 4L V6 Frontier for a 2023 Tacoma. I did not consider another Frontier only because the dealership left my town, Santa Cruz, and it is a 70 mile round trip over the Santa Cruz Mountains to get there and back. They don't do loaners and getting someone to follow me for drop off and take me back became to much.

Our local Toyota dealership runs a full time shuttle service, for both pick up and drop off.

Side note: I must admit I'm not a big fan of how angular some of the 2024 truck models have become. But, knowing me in a couple years I will probably adjust to the change.

 

What do you think of the V6 in each?

 

That is a good question, I have thought about that myself. They both have almost the same HP and torque numbers but the Tacoma displays them in a much smoother and more refined manner. My Nissan was almost impossible to drive smooth the throttle almost appeared binary when pulling away from a stop where as the Tacoma is very smooth under acceleration.

The Tacoma responds to very well when asked to, so for that reason I would pick the Tacoma power band at this point.

I just pulled our travel trailer today for the first time and the Tacoma responded very well pulling our Fiberglass Casita that is over 3,000 lbs loaded up. The tow haul function along with the number of low gears you have to pick from on the fly and the built in trailer sway control made it a great pull.

No question about it the Nissan was a fine truck but the Toyota is so much more refined.

 

Both automatics I take it? Thanks for the feedback.

 

39K is basically just SR territory.

 

The price difference between the frontier and new Tacoma is pretty staggering. At the end of the day they both do pretty much the same thing.

 

Good thread, lots of reasonable points here. No fanboys!

 

It is.

Imagine cross shopping an SR vs. a pro4x 2 years ago lol.

 

Toyota vs anything in its class or model range is staggering. It's 7k more in the Toyota to get ventilated seats vs. the GM twins. 7K!

And that is before the forced port options or dealer stuff.

 

I honestly can't fathom dropping 50, 60, or 70k for a light duty utility. If I was going to drop that budget, might as well go baller with a ragtop MT gladiator.

If my truck exploded tomorrow, the Frontier is currently the primary candidate.

 

Same for me although I really prefer a 4th gen. I just need the price increase to match what I think the Toyota tax should be worth and call it good. I find the 4th gen to be high right now.

At current 4th gen prices, i'm looking 1/2 ton. At a price I could be happy with, Frontier.

 

I'm going to be weird and honest about the 4th gen. I like the improvements and innovations,, I like the performance. But. The looks just aren't growing on me. That interior just hits all of my strange little pet peeves and I can't get over it.

I don't have any legitimate gripe against the 4th gen. I jus don' like it.

 

I get that. I don't love it as much as I thought I would, but I do believe in its class it will be the one to beat. Eventually. I don't like the visible cost cutting on certain trims though. Weird creases outside as well if I am making a list lol.

Unfortunately GM made a really good looking competitor and Nissan is keeping 2017 pricing alive, so the competition is thick. I even like what Ford is doing with a Ranger, but I have yet to see one.

 

I love the look of the 4th gen interior!

The Frontier interior is way more basic, which isn't always a bad thing.

The new 4th gen Tacoma interior looks kinda like mid-80's Toyota angularism (did I just make a new word?) updated with tech....

 

I have had both brands of trucks and you really can't go wrong. The frontier interior was way outdated when I had mine in 18 but it was a good truck. Nissan has definitely improved and updated their truck. I seen my first 24 Tacoma on a lot this past weekend as someone had brought back a sport, it had 1,200 miles on it. Salesman said they decided a Tundra better suited their needs. I didn't like the looks of that particular truck but I am sure others would. I would definitely give both Nissan and Toyota a look if I was in the market.

 

Wow, they traded in a 24 Tacoma after 1200 miles?

 

Yes, sure did. I pulled in thinking it was brand new but had been traded back in for a Tundra according to the salesman.

 

This is a new review video of the Pro4X with the factory lift kit. Sadly I don’t think we learn anything from the video except that you need mud tires to drive through deep mud.
https://youtu.be/cX6KO2mqfr8?si=LKd-rCvtILUscqFs

 

I sold my '06 NISMO crew cab (bought new in '06) last year after 17 years of ownership & bought a new '23 TRD Off-Road. I had previously owned a '94 Toyota pick-up (bought new) & '96 Tacoma (bought used in '98) but wanted to try something different, hence the Frontier. Prior to purchasing the Nissan, I test drove the Toyota equivalent the very same day, but decided to purchase the frontier. What made my decision was, at that time the Frontier was 4.0 V6 & Tacoma was 3.7 & acceleration and breaking were much more responsive in the frontier, other than that I felt things were very similar including the price.
But I can tell you, from my experience with my frontier, I sank a ton of money into "regular maintenance" starting at 100k miles. I missed the recall on the radiator, which when failing caused the transmission fluid and coolant to mix, strawberry milkshake of death, so I did that on my own. At 136k both front catalytic converter's needed replacement, even though I only always used Chevron 91, and performed detailed regular maintenance. Over the years many sensors, plugs, & other "routine maintenance" started to add up & decided I needed to cut my losses & return to Toyota. After only 156K miles many of the problems I had don't often or at all exist with the Tacoma of the same year, I checked. Maybe I just got a lemon that was slow to reveal its issues.
I'm sure there exist Frontiers that weren't as much as a Money Pit as mine was, but from my personal experience I won't be buying another Nissan. Not ever.

 

I have owned several Frontiers, and I still own a 2013 Xterra Pro 4X with just under 200k miles. They have all been very reliable with zero issues worth mentioning. The Xterra is still stock, and it is an amazing off road vehicle for stock. They are powerful, reliable, and the transmission actually functions like it knows what it wants. I love my Tacoma, but don't be blinded by people's complete commitment to one brand. I will say that Nissan lost me when they jacked the price up with the new design. I guess Toyota just did the same, but when I bought my 2022 Tacoma it was the same price as a comparable Frontier. Given the two at the same price, I'd pick the Tacoma all day. Looking at the new Tacoma w its hybrid turbo 4 cylinder and new pricing, I'm not sure I wouldn't go with a Frontier.