2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier emerged as a key player in Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy, marking a significant redesign in the midsize pickup segment. With its rugged, blocky styling reminiscent of the classic Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s, the Frontier presented a bold new look. The design process, led by Hiren Patel, involved crafting the truck's shape from a solid block of metal, resulting in a robust and distinctive appearance. Available in nine exterior colours, including the exclusive Baja Storm for the PRO-4X trim, the Frontier offered a choice of interior shades, enhancing its appeal. Despite being slightly longer than its predecessor, the Frontier maintained a manageable size, fitting comfortably in garages and parking spaces. It targeted competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma, with a focus on the latter during its engineering process.

The Frontier's interior was a significant leap forward, featuring Nissan's acclaimed Zero Gravity seats and improved insulation for a quieter ride. The truck offered practical storage solutions, including a new centre console and ample space for personal items. Customization was a priority, with over 80 optional accessories available, catering to the growing demand for personalized trucks. The Frontier's versatility extended to its cab configurations, with King Cab and Crew Cab options, though the King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The truck bed featured practical enhancements like an available spray-in bedliner, LED lighting, and a three-channel tie-down system, making it a well-rounded choice for midsize pickup enthusiasts.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 showcased a design that sparked mixed reactions, with its small headlights and aggressive styling drawing comparisons to a Transformers-inspired aesthetic. However, the Silverado offered a range of appearance packages, such as the Rally Edition and Redline Edition, allowing buyers to add visual flair. Inside, the cabin was a more agreeable space, with functional controls and two distinct interior layouts based on trim levels. The WT and Custom trims retained the pre-facelift interior, while other trims boasted a modern dash design centred around a large touchscreen. The Silverado's interior options catered to various preferences, from the work-oriented WT with vinyl upholstery to the luxurious High Country with premium features.

The Silverado's versatility extended to its trim levels, offering a range of options from the off-road-ready Trail Boss to the luxury-focused High Country. The LTZ trim provided excellent value with features like leather upholstery and wireless charging, while the ZR2 Bison package enhanced off-road capabilities with heavy-duty skid plates and steel-stamped bumpers. The Silverado's adaptability made it suitable for various needs, whether as a workhorse or a comfortable daily driver. With Canada-specific True North packages available, the Silverado catered to climate-oriented features, ensuring a well-rounded offering for Canadian buyers.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier was powered by a retuned 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering class-leading power specs of 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. This robust powertrain provided strong acceleration and ample passing power on highways. The Frontier's nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with a standard four-wheel drive (4WD) system in Canada, ensured smooth gear transitions and efficient power delivery. The truck's towing capacity reached 2,944 kilograms (6,490 pounds), while its maximum payload was 635 kilograms (1,400 pounds). Although not class-leading, these figures were competitive within the midsize truck segment. The Frontier's hydraulic rack and pinion steering system offered a heavier feel, appealing to traditional truck enthusiasts, though it made urban driving slightly more challenging.

The Frontier's off-road capabilities were highlighted in the PRO-4X trim, featuring an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, and skid plates for enhanced trail performance. The truck's best-in-class approach angle of 32.3 degrees further solidified its off-road prowess. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with estimates of 13.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 10.6 on the highway, making it less economical than some competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking V8 power, the Silverado provided a 5.3-litre engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 6.2-litre V8 delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Additionally, a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine offered 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado's towing capacity reached an impressive 6,000 kilograms (13,300 pounds) with the 6.2-litre V8 and Max Towing package, while the base four-cylinder engine managed a maximum payload of 1,025 kilograms (2,260 pounds).

The Silverado's power delivery was commendable, with the turbo-four engine providing good pickup despite some mechanical noise. The eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth, though the 10-speed automatic paired with the V8 engines offered refined gear transitions. The Silverado's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, making it a suitable choice for both commuting and off-road adventures. While not as refined as the Ram 1500, the Silverado excelled in tackling trails and navigating challenging terrain, making it a versatile option for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier excelled in combining comfort and capability, particularly in the front seats. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, setting a new standard in the midsize pickup segment. The Frontier's interior offered convenient storage options, surpassing competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. While the Crew Cab provided adequate headroom and legroom for backseat passengers, the King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier's cabin featured eight cupholders, with four large enough to accommodate one-litre bottles, and additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of body styles, including regular, double, and crew cabs, each with different bed lengths. The regular cab, tied to work-oriented trims, featured a front bench seat accommodating up to three passengers. The double cab provided easy access to rear seats with conventional car doors, though legroom was limited. The crew cab offered spacious seating in both rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The rear bench folded upward, providing significant in-cabin cargo space for valuable items or tools.

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, though requiring a wired connection. The PRO-4X trim added wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability, while the optional 10-speaker Fender audio system offered premium sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a base infotainment setup with a 7-inch touchscreen on WT and Custom trims, offering straightforward functionality. Higher trims boasted a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a fully digital instrument panel. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports, catering to tech-savvy buyers seeking modern infotainment features.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. While crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, the new model was expected to perform better than its predecessor. The Frontier also featured eight airbags and traffic sign recognition on the PRO-4X grade.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. The LTZ trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The Silverado received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and high scores from IIHS, ensuring peace of mind for safety-conscious buyers.