2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from 2020, offering three Crew Cab trim levels in Canada: SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve, each with distinct design elements. The Titan SV featured a dark grille, while the Platinum Reserve boasted a satin chrome one, and the Pro-4X had a black grille with a unique lava-red script logo. The Pro-4X also stood out with lava red tow hooks. The Titan's new headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, complemented by available LED fog lights for enhanced visibility. The truck bed was illuminated by four LED sources, a significant improvement over older models. The rear featured LED taillights and unique tailgate finishers, with the Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve having black and satin chrome finishers, respectively. The Titan's interior was modernized with a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim, offering an attractive look. However, the steering wheel design felt dated compared to competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier marked a significant redesign, reflecting Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy. Its blocky, rugged styling paid homage to the old Nissan Hardbody pickups. The Frontier was available in nine exterior colours, with the PRO-4X trim offering exclusive charcoal leather seating. Slightly longer than its predecessor, the Frontier maintained a manageable size for garages and parking spots. It was available in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, with the King Cab offering a 6-foot bed and the Crew Cab a 5-foot bed. The Frontier's interior was a leap forward, featuring Zero Gravity front seats and improved insulation for reduced noise. The new centre console provided ample storage, and Nissan offered over 80 optional accessories for customization.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Titan offered smooth shifts and strong acceleration. However, it lacked engine start/stop functionality, impacting fuel efficiency. The Titan's 4WD drivetrain averaged 15.2 L/100 km in the city and 11.1 on the highway. It had a payload capacity of up to 739 kg and a towing capacity of 4,178 kg. The Pro-4X trim featured off-road equipment like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Frontier's 4WD system included 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes. The Frontier's fuel efficiency was estimated at 13.7 L/100 km in the city and 10.6 on the highway. It had a payload capacity of 635 kg and a towing capacity of 2,944 kg. The PRO-4X trim offered off-road features like an electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein shock absorbers, making it capable on trails. The Frontier's hydraulic steering system provided a traditional truck feel, though it was heavier than competitors.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered seating for five or six, with Zero Gravity front and rear outboard seats for comfort. Heated and cooled front seats were available, though petite adults might struggle to find an ideal driving position. The Titan provided ample seating space and storage, with a large centre console and smartphone holders. A panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window were available, enhancing the cabin experience. The Titan's interior featured thoughtful design elements like easy-to-reach grab handles and folding rear seatbacks.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier excelled in front-seat comfort, thanks to its Zero Gravity seats. It offered more storage options than competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The Crew Cab provided adequate headroom and legroom, though the King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier featured eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab. Overall, the Frontier's interior felt spacious and comfortable, setting a high standard in the midsize pickup segment.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class. It offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. Navigation, HD Radio, and additional USB ports were available. The Titan's interface was responsive, though its graphics lagged behind competitors. A 7-inch programmable information display was standard, and buyers could upgrade to a 12-speaker Fender Premium Audio System.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant technological advancements, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch screen on the PRO-4X. The interface was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though wireless projection was not supported. The PRO-4X offered wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The optional 10-speaker Fender audio system was available as part of a Luxury Package.

The 2021 Nissan Titan came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, and an Around View Monitor. The Titan boasted a five-year/160,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best in Canada.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. The Frontier also featured eight airbags and traffic sign recognition on the PRO-4X trim.