Testing the "competition"

As somebody who is currently in the market for a 22 Tacoma, I’ll probably take a look at the 22 Frontier. I feel like I’d have to really be blown away during my test drive to chose it over the Toyota though.

While I think it’s a good looking truck, I still prefer the looks of the Tacoma. I just get a bit of a “knock-off” vibe with the Frontier design (even though I know all the companies are constantly copying each other). I also don’t like the red-orange accents on the Pro-4x model, though I’m sure there will be easy aftermarket solutions to that.

 

It's definitely heavier but not a bad way, I have seen it mentioned on various reviews so it's probably not just me.

I think the biggest reason why someone might go to a frontier is the powertrain, it's a noticeable improvement and then there is the looks, personally I think it looks great.

All the red accents are only available in the base Pro 4X with those sporty cloth seats, it goes away with the leather seating.

 

I like the looks of the Frontier as well and I think they put out more than 300hp.

 

If you got to K2's base camp in a motorized vehicle it was a damn helicopter lol

 

Weird when someone doesn't drink the cool-aid? Is it also weird when people evaluate things and want to make educated judgements/decisions?
Hmmm....ok.


OP, I couldn't agree more. Not considering the upcoming refreshes by other models, I would really give the Nissan a hard look. The Hyundai, may be an outstanding performer by most accounts, I just don't know if I could do it. LOL It's intriguing all the same.

 

I'm digging the off road renderings of both the santa cruz and santa fe.

 

Pretty much looks like a Taco knockoff from this angle....

 

Many a found memory with that truck haha. My first ever ticket and first car wreck. Wasn't driving both times lol.

 

I bought my Taco in mid May and only had the 2021 Frontier to look at. When I looked at local inventory at area Nissan dealers it looked like they either had S and SV trimmed trucks for around $30k msrp that were pretty stripped down, or the Pro-4X for well over $50k. Didn't seem like there was any in-between. I ended up with a TRD Sport with the advanced technology and premium audio packages, and a long bed as an added bonus. Paid just over $37k + TT for a truck that had an msrp of $39.9k, so I felt given the supply situation at the time I did ok. Never got as far as test driving the Frontier because I didn't see myself seriously considering it based on what was available. Admittedly, I was biased towards Toyota to begin with because of the ownership experience I've had with other models (Rav4, Prius, and Camry). If I were looking now I would give the 2022 Nissan a serious look though.

 

If I had no vehicle at all and wanted a midsize truck, I would have no issue pitting the Frontier vs the Taco honestly, a Taco clone with a better powertrain ain't that bad lol

Reliability remains to be seen though but the old frontiers had good reliability

Yup, all the SC needs is a 2 inch lift and some meaty tires and it would look pretty decent.

 

the santa cruz is like a camry with the top cut off the back half

 

It's good to hear about the competition, it confirms I made the right decision.

 

When it's time for me to get a new truck I will look at everything that is available. I like Toyotas but I'm not married to the brand by any means.

 

I like the styling of the Santa Cruz better than the styling of the new Tundra. Not that the SC is a full size pick up, or would I want a full size that looks like a SC. I don't like the look of the SC that much, I could tolerate it, if that was the kind of vehicle I wanted to drive. I just dislike the look of the new Tundra that much. Toyota exterior design usually grows on me, maybe the Tundra will look better over time. The Tundra, looks like the Corolla Cross, but that styling looks better on the CC.

 

Think of it like an I.Q. test but with harder questions:

"Joe Lunchbox posts on a compact truck forum his review of several compact trucks. Why do you think he might have made the post?"

Your answer: "I have no idea, I'm completely puzzled"

 

If Toyota are the “Transformers” of the auto industry, Nissan has always been the “Go Bots”. Nothing has changed.

 

It’s neat, don’t get all the lights in the grille though.

 

That is an odd approach to lighting design. I like that the lights blend into the grille when not illuminated. I like conventional lighting design better. The top row of lights could go across the entire grille and function as a sequential turn signal.

 

I'm in the M/T camp. Until another company decides to add a manual, I'm sticking with my taco. Even if I ever decide to upgrade to a full size, it'll be a used Ram 2500 from before they discontinued their manual trans.

 

I absolutely have a weakness for new vehicles…