Tacoma SR vs Frontier SV

Hey guys,

I am about a month into researching my next vehicle purchase (which usually takes about 4 months). The only cars I have ever owned are Toyotas - however I have never owned a truck before. I want a small pickup simply because I want one. I don't really need it for anything except for:

- Hauling light construction supplies to the house on occasion
- Moving target stands, guns and ammo around the shooting range
- Getting my mountain bike to the trail
- Helping my hot neighbor move furniture

That is pretty much it. Realistically I could do all these things in a small SUV but I would much rather have a truck. Now all that being said I am stuck wast deep in analysis paralysis over which truck to get. As a Toyota lover I really want a Tacoma but there are so few options where live (Kansas City, MO). I was reading up on the Nissan Frontier and there are a lot more options near me. Here are the packages I am looking at:

Tacoma 2018
- SR Access Cab, 2.7, 4x4 ~ 29k MSRP

Frontier 2018
- SV King Cab, 4.0, 4x4 ~ 29K MSRP

I think that I could get a much better deal on the Frontier as there are simply more of them and my family is close with many of the dealerships in the area. Fanboy loyalty of the Toyota aside - I really like the V6 option in the Frontier. Will I ever need it - probably not. But it is the same price or cheaper. I am planning on test driving these trucks this weekend to get my first impressions.

I was hoping some of the members here who have ownedboth trucks could provide some insight on their experiences. Thanks

 

Hey buddy-

I had a Frontier LE for years but it was totaled due a hydroplan accident on freeway.

I loved the size and the idea of the small/midsize truck. When the Nissan was totaled I completely knew the Tacoma was my new go too! As for looks & customizations you can't even come close to the Taco options. I always knew I wanted an SR & do some simple mods & personalize my Tacoma.

Also, I had several big issues with my Frontier transmission that were big fixes. Happened twice for right at 105k & 130K.

Tacomas are known to be reliable but that's just my experience.

 

Frontier is hard to beat. That 4.0 and associated drivetrain is hard to beat too. The Nissan is less of a platform though, so if you're an off-road mod kind of guy you'll be making a lot of your own parts haha

 

Frontier has that bullet proof powertrain At work I never see any major issues. Tacoma also is a great truck. Only thing I'd consider is if you want old design outdated interior frontier compared to new modern design on tacoma I guess you can say

 

Drove my frontier for 10 years before trading for my taco in 2017. Great little truck and very reliable. Frontier rides more car like and the taco is more truck riding. You can't go wrong either way. But if ya want folks saying, GREAT looking truck, go taco!

 

I just went through the same thing. I was looking to upvrade from my compact SUV. When I started to look, i didnt really like any of the next sized SUVs. That's when I came across this class of truck and it came down to the taco or the frontier. I started off looking at the used trucks and found something like a 3 to 1 ratio of frontiers to tacos. I decided to get the 2018 SR because I did like it better, to me it looked like I had more mod options, and they seem to hold their value.

 

What really sold me on the SR was the manual transmission, but it’s not available anymore. Frontier is a good truck, but you’ll get better gas mileage with the 2.7 vs 4.0. I’d say test drive em both the same day and pick the one you like more.

 

I really liked the Pro-4x I test drove but the interior felt really dated compared to my SR5. It definitely feels like a small truck while driving a Tacoma makes you think you're driving a much bigger truck, but theyre about the same size.

 

You will need a taco to help your hot neighbor move furniture.

 

For your sake, and the hot neighbor, go with the SR.

Chics dig Tacos.

Nissan? Not so much.

 

I was at the same place last year. Started out test driving a 4cyl, and a 6cyl Frontier. Didn’t go right to a taco, because of price difference. I’ve owned Toyotas in the past. The Nissans were both “ok”, but preferred the 6cyl. Then, before I pulled the trigger I decided to at least test drive the 4cyl taco.
GAME OVER!
The Nissan felt “meh” in comparison, and every one I drove rattled somewhere. The Tacoma just felt ...right. I bought a 2.7 that day. I will say though, that I soon regretted the 4cyl choice. I ended up in a 6cyl taco, totally happy. @Tehkoema is right, the taco feels bigger, in a good way.
Test drive everything you can, you’ll know based on your gut. Look into a leftover ‘17 Tacoma v6, you might be surprised at the deal they can make. I know you said you are a ways out from the decision, but...
Also, the Frontier’s resale is nothing like the Tacoma. Kbb says it’s the highest resale value vehicle 4 years running. That equals good financial sense if you’re trying to justify a more expensive purchase.
Good luck, keep us posted.

 

Both are fine trucks. But resale and reliability—Tacoma is king.

 

test drive test drive test drive.

 

Frontier lol is this even a real question

 

If you plan on offroading taco wins hands down, if you want looks and updated interior, taco wins hands down.
If you want good resale value years down the line, taco wins hands down, if you want to make the right impression on chicks, taco wins hands down.
And if you want reliability, take a trip down to Africa, south of baja Mexico central & south America and you'll see 20-40 yr old Toyotas still beating the dirt down. No Nissans.
Fords & Chebbys? Forget about it, they're not even in the map lol!

But if you want a cheap good ride for the money, Nissan wins hands down!

Hope that helps!
Cheers!

 

You will get a better deal on the Nissan and it's a pretty solid truck, the Tacoma is a safer truck if you were ever to unfortunately get into an accident.

 

Sounds like what you want is the Taco. Both kinds.

 

For all the reasons mentioned, the Taco wins, hands down. The hot neighbor factor is the icing on the cake because it is a well known fact that classy ladies love guys with Tacos! My classy and hot wife has been like a college girl on spring break in Florida since my PRO entered our lives a month ago! Seriously, test drive both and you'll know the right decision. Whatever extra you may spend on the Taco, if you go Toyota, will be money in the bank and a much better investment. Best wishes!

 

spend the extra $2500 for a SR V6 4x4 and have no regrets!
https://www.toyota.com/configurator...ansmission/year/2018/series/tacoma/model/7594

 

Had a Nissan 4 banger reg cab back in the late 90's. It was a good truck and did all I asked of it. The ride, interior, accessories, etc not even close to my 1st gen Tacoma.

I always knew Toyota made a good truck in the Tacoma but bought the Nissan based on sticker difference alone. When I bought my 2017 I did not even seriously consider a Frontier. Drove one and it took me right back to the one I had in the 90's really no improvement or significant changes. My choice was clear and obvious.

Take a look at both, drive them, check KBB resale values, etc. Make up your own mind and you will be happy with your trcuk whichever you end up buying.