Test Drives...Mid Size Trucks...

Hello,

New to the forum - thought I would provide some feedback as we just got back from test driving a '24 Taco Sport + vs. a 21 Taco SR5 - we have also test drove a Frontier, Canyon, and RL - here are our thoughts/insights:

-'24 Canyon - of our short list - IMO - best looking of our short list - but it's GM - so off the list
- '24 RL - best overall driving experience, lots of storage but VCM - off the list
-Frontier - best value in the mid size category - best engine being a naturally aspirated - but stiff steering (not a deal breaker) - but a Nissan - IMO - reliability below some of the Korean brands and GM IMO would be more reliable but it's GM and we would take a hit from a resale perspective - Frontier - off the list
-'21 Taco - nice looking truck - but as most people have said - unpowered (we drove the V6) and could sense the gear shifting - wasn't in the truck long enough to evaluate the poor seating position - it seemed ok to us
-24 Taco Sport Plus - of the four we test drove - by far the best - smooth shifting tranny good acceleration but the Frontier beats the Taco on this feature

The net of it - I think we are leaning towards the '24 Taco vs. the Frontier (both of these were on the short short list) until we test drove the '24 Taco - although the Frontier is cheaper and has the NA engine (am not a fan of the turbo) - we think that for the extra $5k/$6K for the Taco in the long run this will pay back in resale - although we really like the Nissan - I think the Yota badge on the front hood is likely going to win out.

JH

-

 

Imo Nissan for the long haul award. Why? Because still to this day no one cares one iota about them. IMO that makes them the winner and you save a ton of cabbage right from the get go. If you can’t tell, I’m a Nissan fan boy Today, I want the Toyota turbo 4 because… well, we’ll just have to wait…

 

Never met a person who has had trouble with a Frontier. My was rock solid for 100k miles with just oil changes.

 

GM will never sit in my driveway again, their lies and deception being the reason. My 06 blew the engine within warranty and they cheated me 6 ways to Sunday on the job.

I had a 2019 Frontier DCSB for 2 months in 2021 while getting my Tacoma reframed. That config was more truck than I would use (the DC) so I'd ideally want a regular cab, if not available then access cab. I'd have to look more into the history of the Frontier etc but if asked just on what I think today I'd give it a serious look.

My brother in law loves his Ridgeline, but to me it's the 4 seat thing I don't need as well.

6 foot bed is one of my short list of needs really so I'd probably go for that first in general.

I just had a 22 Tacoma DCSB out for a week. Seemed to do what I needed for me.

 

I know nothing about Nissan's, what kind is financing and/or discounts are they offering? I spec'd a crew cab pro 4x to what I felt like was on par with an off-road with upgrade and it was right around 46k. Using an online broker you can can get that Tacoma for the same price.

 

If the Frontier offered a Manual Transmission it would be under consideration.

 

Drove a Nissan Frontier 5 speed for 11 years, 165k miles. No major issues whatsoever. Dependable truck, but traded it in 2014 for my 2.5 2nd gen that I'm still driving today. Great truck too.

While I have no plans to purchase anything in the near future, my Frontier did everything my Taco does and I refuse to pay the price being asked for a 24 Taco. I will take a hard look at the Frontier when the time comes. Last Chevy/GM I bought was in 1999 and never again.

I love the Honda brand, but the RL is the ugliest truck maybe ever. The engineers/designers should have been fired when all they did was cut the back 1/2 of the Pilot off, I was so disappointed.

 

I think a lot of us have been burned in the past by General Motors or Ford. The new Canyon looks damn good but experience tells me it’s just lipstick, a lot of whiskey, and late at night.

 

I wasn't upset that my engine blew. Not ideal but stuff happens. The dealers and main office lying and each blaming the other is what pissed me off. Under 2 warranties issued by GM for the job I shouldn't be getting a $2000 surprise bill and basically "pay up or we keep your truck and charge you storage".

 

Tesla Cybertruck: "Hold my beer!"

 

If they are so great - why are their tranny's a POS and they exited the full size truck market? Buy a Nissan and take a hit in the resale market - I have kept an eye on Frontier inventory in my country - guess what none are moving and dealers are selling at MRSP and not willing to deal - at several dealerships - they have several '23's - again - they are not willing to budge off of MRSP.

 

Look it up on the RL - if they are so great - why are there a bunch of engines that have blown due to their high tech VCM?

 

I like the look of the Canyon - but when they just launched their 24s just a little while ago and already had a stop sale - ummm - no thanks - pass.

 

If they are so great - why are their tranny's a POS and they exited the full size truck market? Buy a Nissan and take a hit in the resale market - I have kept an eye on Frontier inventory in my country - guess what none are moving and dealers are selling at MRSP and not willing to deal - at several dealerships - they have several '23's - again - they are not willing to budge off of MRSP.

 

If they are so great - why are their tranny's a POS and they exited the full size truck market? Buy a Nissan and take a hit in the resale market - I have kept an eye on Frontier inventory in my country - guess what none are moving and dealers are selling at MRSP and not willing to deal - at several dealerships - they have several '23's - again - they are not willing to budge off of MRSP.

In terms of the price delta - Frontier vs. Taco - in my market - generally speaking about a $5K difference - however - if you look at the total cost of ownership - that delta narrows due to the Nissan being in the shop lots of times. You might want to move quicker on the Frontier - rumour has it that they are going to a turbo et la like the Taco.

Agree on the RL - fugly - the deal breaker - their stupid tech - shutting off the cylinders to save gas - an expensive repair bill just waiting to happen - plus - am not interested in a Pilot truck.

 

Agree - on the Honda Pilot Truck - fugly - not really a truck - more of a soccer mom vehicle.....

 

But their owners love them.

 

All the soccer moms.

 

All the soccer moms.

 

Have you considered a Ford Ranger?