Thoughts on the Nissan Frontier for a non-Tacoma truck?

Go test drive both. I thought the 2nd gen taco was way more comfortable than current frontier. I second all the subaru statements. The wife is driving a '17 outback; very comfortable, impressive clearance, and handles snow like a champ.

 

So our local Toyota dealership has a brand new 2016 Tacoma v6 4x4 access cab for 31k Thai seen! How is the space in the access cabs? I've always had 4 doors but never really had anyway ride in the back but on occasion! My dogs usually ride in the back seat! Lol if someone would ride with me would it be comfortable and spacy back there? I need to go and take a look at it! But at that 31k price that's on par with the Nissan only difference is the frontier is a 4 door!

 

watch out for the rear diff recall: https://www.trucks.com/2017/04/27/toyota-recall-tacoma-trucks/

 

My good friend bought a used 2006 Frontier a few years ago to use as his weekend truck for projects around his house and hauling stuff around. I ride in it every few months and it just feels cheaper and uncomfortable compared to my Tacoma. I'm not saying that our Tacomas are the epitome of luxury, but the Frontiers feel like they are a notch below. He's done some work on it but nothing I consider major for a truck with over 100k on it. Before he bought the Frontier he looked around for a used Tacoma but just couldn't find a decent one for under $10g. He's okay with the Nissan but he keeps telling me that he wants to buy my Tacoma whenever I'm ready to upgrade.

 

Tires make a huge difference in snow, moreso than drivetrain IMO. Get some good snow tires, studdable if you wish, and throw a few sandbags over the rear axle and it'll be better than 4wd with all terrains.

Throw in a TruTrac limited slip and you'll be putting along better than most.

 

I have had Nissan and Toyota trucks in the past. Last was a 06 Tacoma 4x4 sport. I wanted to get into a mid size truck from my 09 Ram. I test drove Nissan, Toyota, GMC/Chevy. I ended up with a Nissan Frontier Pro 4x. I could not justify the higher prices Toyota and GMC was asking.
The Frontier reminds me a bunch of my 06 Tacoma.

- Nissan is a dated design. Most bugs have been worked out. Transmission cross contamination fixed. Ride is fine. Cab does have a bit more road noise compared to the others. MPG is not quite as good. I am getting 15 in town, 19-20 highway.

- Many get over 100K before needing to do much to the Frontier.

I am satisfied with the Pro. imo, it was more comfortable than the Tacoma. GM/Chevy has terrible ground clearance. In the end it is a personal choice. Time will tell on reliability. So far so good

 

I have not been back to this site in months.... since I bought my '16 Frontier Pro4X 6 speed. I had a 2000 Tacoma (4wd 4cyl 5 speed- best truck ever), and they went downhill from there. My '09 was plagued with transmission and driveline problems, and my '12 was already showing frame scaling after 3 Michigan winters. I looked at the 3rd ten Tacomas, and even at dealer cost through a friend, it was still $4K more than the Fronty, plus the weak new engine and transmission ratios are not suited for my needs. I use my trucks as daily drivers, plus on our small farm hauling trailers, building supplies and water down narrow paths where a full-size is impractical. I have also owned 2 Xterras, and still own a '95 4Runner, so I like both brands, but the Frontier is much more a "real truck" to me than the 3rd gen "lifestyle" vehicle Taco is. Dated styling for sure, and the interior has harder surfaces, but that makes it easier to clean and more practical. As far as longevity, the SMOD on the auto transmissions is a problem (now solved), but Taco's have their problems too. Other than far less aftermarket support, and an owner website than is not nearly as active or even as close to entertaining as TacomaWorld is, I am very happy with my choice.

 

I've had my 82 Datsun 720 4x4 for 35 years (still going strong) and some Hardbody's along the years but just switched to a 16 Tacoma last year because Nissan has dropped the ball by staying competitive with the Tacoma. It is night and day and a no brainer by choosing a Tacoma. Take it from me who's always been a Nissan guy.

 

Drove a rental Frontier for a week on vacation. If the Tacoma didn't exist, I'd get the Frontier before the Colorado. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/nissan-frontier-quirks-and-oddities.340658/