1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Tacomagui, Jun 16, 2008.

  1. Jun 16, 2008 at 12:21 PM
    #1
    Tacomagui

    Tacomagui [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Member:
    #7275
    Messages:
    4
    I'm in the market for a new truck - I've been looking at the tacoma and also the nissan frontier. I've not had either brand before but I've heard some complaints that the tacoma isn't as comfortable a ride. Can anyone here let me know what they think about the two? Here's a link to the two trucks:
     
  2. Jun 16, 2008 at 12:31 PM
    #2
    taco@you123

    taco@you123 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
    Member:
    #6989
    Messages:
    262
    Gender:
    Male
    mesa, arizona
    Vehicle:
    07 toyota tacoma prerunner sr5 with
    6" pro comp lift, moto metal rims, front grill
    I own both a frontier and a tacoma and i can argue with anyone who says the frontier is a more comfortable ride, the tacoma is waaaaay! more comfortable ride, and i would trade my taco for anything, tacos are better than the frontier in many ways, just stick with the taco:D:cool:
     
  3. Jun 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
    #3
    steviestyles

    steviestyles The "Search" tab is your friend!!

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2006
    Member:
    #430
    Messages:
    1,268
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Colorado Springs
    Vehicle:
    07 DC 4x4 TRD Off Road
    Bone Stock
    :deadhorse:

    This is going to be a biased crowd. Your best bet if you haven't already is to go test drive both and decide for yourself.
     
  4. Jun 16, 2008 at 2:09 PM
    #4
    Buzz

    Buzz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2008
    Member:
    #4057
    Messages:
    42
    They both have pros and cons.

    I shopped both early this year and ended up with the Tacoma. I was shopping the 4x4 double cab, so some things might be different for you.

    Things I liked better about the Frontier:
    - Better option packages that included traction control, side air bags, and leather (the Tacoma had no leather option)
    - More comfortable driver seating position
    - Less expensive. The Nissan people were definitely ready to deal.
    - Ride was less harsh
    - Easier to get in an out of
    - Roof rack - I don't like the look, but I can see where it would be useful at times

    Thins I liked better about the Tacoma:
    - Resale value
    - Better interior (the Frontier felt cheaper, in terms of dash, materials, etc)
    - Less road noise in the cabin (the Fronters I drove were significantly louder and that was a big turn off)
    - Felt like more room in the back seat, although the specifications say the Frontier is actually larger
    - More useful storage
    - 0% financing at the time
    - Tighter turning circle

    Overall, I'm pretty happy with the Tacoma after 6 months.

    I will say that the less comfortable driver seating positon in the Tacoma is a bigger deal than I thought it would be. I thought I would get used to it, but I haven't.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
    #5
    wrxed96

    wrxed96 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2007
    Member:
    #1441
    Messages:
    56
    My dad has an 05 Frontier LE and I have an 06 Tacoma TRD. He really regrets buying his truck over a Tacoma, which is what he had before the Frontier. I have driven his truck a few times and don't think it is near as nice. He jokes every once in a while when he takes his truck in for service that he is going to turn in to Toyota and just get a Tacoma. I don't think my opnion is really that biased because I don't really like either. At the same time I can't seem to find a truck worth getting rid of the Tacoma for.
     
  6. Jun 16, 2008 at 2:58 PM
    #6
    kngharley

    kngharley Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2006
    Member:
    #110
    Messages:
    162
    Corona, Ca
    Had the same delema in 07. The Tacoma is more comfy than the Nissan, The nissan has more HP. Tacoma is larger than the nissan, Nissan has a more heavy gauge steel. Both have good warranties. Get the one that you like not everyone else. BTW Mine is a 07 Tacoma
     
  7. Jun 16, 2008 at 3:02 PM
    #7
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2008
    Member:
    #4570
    Messages:
    6,453
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryant
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 DC TRD SPORT Prerunner
    3” spacer lift, 285/75/17 KO2, Spidertrax 1.25” spacers
    The thing about Nissan is that they have no quality control. They do not stand by their product. Their customer service would rather tell you to go fuck yourself than help you. Also, their dealerships buff your car against your orders and ruin the paint job on your brand new black car. And then your power steering makes groaning noises before you have 60 miles on the car, to which they lie and claim nobody else has ever reported this problem yet you have service invoices from other people with the same issue and you know Nissan is trying to fuck you.
     
  8. Jun 16, 2008 at 3:05 PM
    #8
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    Member:
    #1475
    Messages:
    26,212
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    York,South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    '16 Tundra TRD Pro
    getting there....
    im in agreeance with steviestyles.......test drive both and see what you think. they are both awesome trucks, and either will last alot longer and have less problems than most domestics, more than likely anyway. i chose the tacoma because it has awesome reliability, i think it looks better than the frontier, resale value is great, etc. like i say though.....test drive both and see what you think, then decide whats best for you. as for the tacoma being uncomfortable, or less than the frontier.....i gotta disagree there. the tacoma is relaxingly comfortable in my opinion.:)
     
  9. Jun 16, 2008 at 3:06 PM
    #9
    death valley fan

    death valley fan National Champions

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2007
    Member:
    #1869
    Messages:
    62
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Louisiana
    2007 TRD OFF-ROAD
    I agree with kngharley, get what you like. I did the same thing when I bought my Tacoma. It all came down to the fact that they are both great trucks but the Tacoma had more of what I liked and the Frontier is fugly. Test drive both and buy what you like.
     
  10. Jun 16, 2008 at 3:09 PM
    #10
    neontrail

    neontrail ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    Member:
    #5844
    Messages:
    10,109
    Gender:
    Male
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2004 NISSAN XTERRA XE/SE
    De-badged, Tint 20%, Blue 48 LED dome-light, .......
  11. Jun 16, 2008 at 3:17 PM
    #11
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    Member:
    #1475
    Messages:
    26,212
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    York,South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    '16 Tundra TRD Pro
    getting there....
    same here!!! the frontier was a step behind in most of the tests, and they still come out on top!! yeah.........bs!!! i'd say tacoma has that one, but they are pretty damn close anyway.
     
  12. Jun 16, 2008 at 4:38 PM
    #12
    Asgard

    Asgard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2008
    Member:
    #6078
    Messages:
    1,087
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Vehicle:
    06 PreRunner DC SR5 w/LSD

    I had three Nissan pick-ups before switching to Toyota and I know the famous power steering problems all too well. The Nissan has a better rear suspension set up though, I could throw anything in the bed without any problems. Oh, and the Nissan's turn radius is so high, making a u-turn can be embarrassing at times.
     
  13. Jun 16, 2008 at 4:43 PM
    #13
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,607
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    I have a buddy with the Nismo Frontier and all he sees of me (street or dirt) is my tail lights. He has ridden with me and admits his truck is inferior!:D
     
  14. Jun 16, 2008 at 5:01 PM
    #14
    tarheelfan_08

    tarheelfan_08 Carolina Alliance

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    Member:
    #4098
    Messages:
    2,944
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2010 White 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma Short Bed
    Chrome Grill, Chrome accessories(door handles and mirror covers), LEER Super White Cover, Mirrors with Turn Signals, Window Vent Visors, Step Rails, WeatherTech Digital Floor Mats, Mini Maglight Holder, Chrome Bull Bar
    I have drove both the Tacoma and the Nissan. And ultimately they ride about the same. But the Tacoma is just a bit smoother of a ride for long distances and off road it is amazing. The Tacoma also holds up a lot longer in my opinion. And to me the more time its on the road and the less it is in the garage is a major factor.
     
  15. Jun 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM
    #15
    06TRDbama

    06TRDbama Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    Member:
    #2784
    Messages:
    51
    Maryville, TN
    Vehicle:
    06 Prerunner TRD Sport
    main factor for me honestly was exterior looks. the interior appeared nicer on the taco, but i have to admit it appeared you could get more features or bang for your buck with the nissan. i ended up not even driving a frontier. i probably hold exterior looks hgiher up than most, however...
     
  16. Jun 16, 2008 at 5:16 PM
    #16
    M2M

    M2M Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Member:
    #4720
    Messages:
    179
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    bilstiens, sport 08 w/o scoop, debadged
    bad / low seating is way, way overblown-
    I have a a$$ gasket that I've had for years -
    gell pack and it solves all the problems
    in sales, your driving A LOT and I have 0, nada, ziltch complaints on seating after 16k in the seat
     
  17. Jun 16, 2008 at 5:37 PM
    #17
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Member:
    #5340
    Messages:
    8,315
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Chihuahua, Mexico
    Vehicle:
    TRD Sport Dcab 4x2 Black Sand Pearl
    OEM All Weather Mats, wheel locks, Toyota Silver Tube steps.....
    I looked at both at the time of purchase, but didn't test drove the frontier, to me it looked like a more delicate vehicle than the Tacoma, i could see it falling apart after a year, plus i didn't liked the frontier looked as a mini-titan, also, Tacoma was just about 1k higher in price, but it was the trd sport so i went for that.... and i don't regret it after 3 months....
     
  18. Jun 16, 2008 at 5:40 PM
    #18
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Member:
    #5269
    Messages:
    5,129
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Rocklin, Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2001 prerunner doublecab limited
    2001 with; cat-back side-swept twin exhaust, elbow mod, Westin bullbar with Hella 450 driving lights, Snugtop XTR camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.
    To put it quite simply-the Nissan does NO justice to the people here. That's why we all have the absolute 'zenith' of all pickups in common. Compared to our trucks, Nissan is a cheesy wannabe
     
  19. Jun 16, 2008 at 7:39 PM
    #19
    Wolfpack

    Wolfpack Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2008
    Member:
    #6842
    Messages:
    66
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner
    I owned an '07 CC LB Fronty (till the wife got slammed into and it was totaled) and I now own an '08 DC Prerunner LB Taco. The Fronty has amazing power and beats the Taco gettin on on-ramps for sure. The MAJOR drawback for the Fronty is the turning radius in the crew cabs whether short or long bed...it sucks. I used to have to do 3 point turns just to get into a parking garage.

    The back windows don't roll all the way down in the Fronty, they do in the Taco. The dash looks alot better in the Taco. I like the Fronty's tie down system in the bed better as they have 2 channels in the bottom of the bed....would be better for tying down dirt bikes and heavy objects. I put ALOT of miles on my trucks and expect the Toyota to outlast the Nissan which is why I went with the Taco....that and the turning radius in the Fronty makes it a no sale for me. :D
     
  20. Jun 16, 2008 at 7:42 PM
    #20
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,607
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    I dont knopw about that. My buddy has the Nismo extended cab Frontier 2wd with auto, I have the double cab Prerunner w/auto and I leave him at freeway on ramps.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top