2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier emerged as a key player in Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy, which aimed to introduce 10 refreshed or new vehicles within 20 months. This midsize pickup truck arrived with a bold, blocky design reminiscent of the classic Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s. The Frontier was available in a variety of colours, including Tactical Green and Deep Pearl Blue, and offered two interior shades. The PRO-4X trim level, in particular, stood out with its exclusive Baja Storm paint and charcoal leather seating. The Frontier's dimensions were slightly larger than its predecessor, yet it remained compact enough for easy parking and garage storage. It was positioned as a competitor to the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma, with a focus on targeting the Tacoma specifically.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, while redesigned, maintained a visual evolution rather than a complete overhaul. It was available in multiple trim levels, from the work-oriented XL to the luxurious Limited. The King Ranch trim, which we tested, featured 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and less chrome than previous versions. The interior was adorned with two-tone brown leather and the signature Flying W logo, offering a premium feel. The F-250's size was imposing, yet it managed to maintain a lower presence thanks to design elements like the front aero dam. The truck was equipped with features like a spray-in bed liner, LED in-bed lighting, and Pro Power Onboard, which provided a 2-kilowatt power output.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. This engine, retuned for the heavier 2022 model, provided strong acceleration and ample passing power on highways. The Frontier's nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with a 4WD system, offered smooth gear transitions and enhanced fuel efficiency. The truck's towing capacity reached 2,944 kilograms, while its payload capacity was 635 kilograms. Despite not leading the class in these metrics, the Frontier remained competitive. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the PRO-4X trim, which included features like an electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein shock absorbers.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered four engine options, including a base 6.8-litre gas V8 with 400 horsepower and a high-output PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 with 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission ensured optimal power delivery across all engine choices. The F-250's towing capacity peaked at 18,140 kg with specific configurations, while its payload capacity reached 3,628 kg. The truck's size posed challenges in tight spaces, but its precise steering and advanced towing features, like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, made it manageable on the road.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier excelled in front-seat comfort, thanks to its Zero Gravity seats, which were a standout feature in the midsize pickup segment. The truck offered ample storage options, surpassing competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. However, the backseat space was limited, especially in the King Cab configuration, which featured jump seats more suitable for storage than passengers. The Crew Cab provided better headroom and legroom but still fell short of full-size pickup standards. The Frontier's cabin included eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seats.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with bed lengths of 6.75 feet or 8 feet. The SuperCab's rear-hinged doors required the front doors to be open for access, offering a wide opening for the cab. Our test model featured a Warn winch and a soft-opening tailgate, enhancing its utility. Inside, the F-250 boasted numerous cupholders, a massive centre storage bin, and dual glove boxes. The Super Crew's rear seats folded up to create a large cargo area, protected from the elements.

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 was user-friendly, featuring physical knobs and buttons for essential functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though they required a wired connection. 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 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model featured a larger 12-inch screen with wireless connectivity options. The system's layout was intuitive, with redundant dials for radio and climate controls. The F-250 also offered multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging. The navigation system included Trailer Navigation, optimizing routes based on trailer dimensions and weight.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to perform better than its predecessor. The truck came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Eight airbags were standard, and the PRO-4X trim offered traffic sign recognition.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting at the XLT trim, included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features. Depending on the trim, this suite offered automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The truck's parking camera system was essential for navigating tight spaces. Our test model featured power-adjustable trailer mirrors and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system, enhancing towing safety. The F-250 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.