2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier marked a significant step in Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy, arriving as a dramatically new midsize pickup truck. Its design, inspired by the old Nissan Hardbody pickups of the 1980s and 1990s, featured blocky, rugged styling. The Frontier was available in nine exterior colours and two interior shades, with the PRO-4X trim offering exclusive options. Slightly longer than its predecessor, the Frontier maintained a manageable size for garages and parking spots. It was positioned as a competitor to the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma. The Frontier offered King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, with various bed lengths and optional features like a spray-in bedliner and LED bed lighting. Inside, the Frontier boasted Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, improved insulation, and a new centre console for enhanced comfort and storage. With over 80 optional accessories, the Frontier catered to customization enthusiasts.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the start of its third generation, with a complete redesign and engineering overhaul. Its exterior featured a dynamic, expressive look with a large hexagonal grille and distinct trim-level differences. The TRD Pro trim stood out with retro "TOYOTA" badging and a technical camo pattern. Inside, the Tundra embraced premium materials and amenities, with a 14-inch touchscreen display standard on Limited and Platinum grades. The interior design echoed the exterior's cohesive style, emphasizing the Tundra's role as a family adventure vehicle. The Tundra's interior updates included a focus on premium materials and amenities, with a 14-inch touchscreen display standard on higher trims. The Tundra aimed to be a versatile and capable vehicle for everyday adventures.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering class-leading power specs of 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. This engine, retuned for the heavier 2022 model, provided strong acceleration and ample passing power at highway speeds. The Frontier's powertrain included a tow mode for improved performance under load, with a maximum payload of 635 kilograms and a towing capacity of 2,944 kilograms. A nine-speed automatic transmission managed power delivery, with 4WD standard in Canada. The Frontier's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the PRO-4X trim, featuring an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, and skid plates. The Frontier's approach angle of 32.3 degrees was best-in-class, enhancing its off-road prowess.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced two new engines, departing from the previous V8. The base i-Force engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, produced 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain combined the V6 with an electric motor, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD standard on most trims. The Tundra's fuel efficiency was competitive, with the hybrid powertrain consuming 12.2 L/100 km combined. The new chassis and suspension improved handling, with a multi-link rear suspension providing a more compliant ride. The Tundra's off-road capabilities were enhanced by the TRD Off-Road package, offering features like adaptive variable suspension and load-leveling rear-height control.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier offered a comfortable and spacious interior, particularly in the front seats, thanks to Nissan's Zero Gravity seats. The Frontier provided convenient storage options, surpassing competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. While the Crew Cab offered manageable headroom and legroom, 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, making it a practical choice for drivers seeking comfort and utility.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra came in Double Cab and CrewMax configurations, both offering ample rear seat legroom. The Double Cab provided 846 millimetres of legroom, while the CrewMax offered an SUV-like 1,057 millimetres. The Tundra's aluminum-reinforced composite bed saved weight and maintained payload capacity, with towing capacity reaching 5,443 kilograms. Inside, the Tundra prioritized smart storage solutions, such as a sliding tray in the front centre armrest and a conveniently placed 12-volt power tap. These thoughtful design elements enhanced the Tundra's practicality and user-friendliness.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant advancements in technology, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch screen on the PRO-4X. The infotainment system featured physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The PRO-4X trim offered wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability, while the optional 10-speaker Fender audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced a new infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Toyota Connected services and a Qi-compatible charge pad. Upper trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch head-up display. Off-roaders benefited from the multi-terrain select system and multi-terrain monitor system, enhancing the Tundra's off-road experience.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and more. Eight airbags were standard, and the PRO-4X grade offered traffic sign recognition.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra had not received crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, featuring a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. The Star Safety System and eight airbags were standard, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on most trims.