2023 Nissan Frontier vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, was beginning to show its age despite a facelift in 2020. Its exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the interior revealed its dated design with hard plastics and older switchgear. The Tacoma was available in various configurations, including Access and Double Cab, with a range of packages from the standard to the TRD Pro. Standard features included a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offered more luxurious features like leather seating and a power moonroof.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Frontier, inspired by the 1986 Nissan Hardbody, boasted a well-received exterior redesign and a refreshed interior introduced in 2022. The Frontier offered six trim levels, including the new Midnight Edition with blacked-out accents. The Pro-4X trim featured unique 17-inch alloy wheels and Lava Red interior accents. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were available on most trims, and the Frontier offered a choice of nine exterior colours. The Crew Cab configuration provided ample interior space, while the King Cab offered a more compact option with a standard 6-foot bed.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and a payload capacity of 583 kilograms. While the V6 provided decent acceleration around town, it struggled on highways due to its gearing and transmission. The TRD Pro trim excelled off-road with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, making it a capable trail vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,952 kilograms and a payload capacity of 635 kilograms. The Frontier's shift-on-the-fly 4WD system allowed for easy transitions between RWD and 4WD. The Pro-4X trim balanced off-road capability with on-road comfort, thanks to its Bilstein shock absorbers and improved suspension. The Frontier's hydraulic steering was enhanced for better maneuverability, and its fuel economy was rated at 12.8 L/100 km city and 10.2 highway.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab configurations, with bed lengths of five feet and six feet one inch. The Access Cab featured clamshell rear half-doors and limited rear legroom, while the Double Cab offered slightly more space but remained tight for adults. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the steering wheel's limited adjustment could be uncomfortable for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed included in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier offered Crew Cab and King Cab configurations, with bed lengths of five and six feet. The Crew Cab provided more interior space with four full-sized doors, while the King Cab had two full-sized and two rear access doors. The Frontier's bed featured LED under-rail lighting and increased cargo volume, with the 5-foot bed offering 1,135 litres and the 6-foot bed 1,314 litres. The hydraulically assisted tailgate was designed for easy operation, and the Pro-4X trim included skid plates for off-road protection.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth compatibility, while higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with SiriusXM. The system was user-friendly, with a simple layout and large icons. A wireless device charger was available, though it required manual activation. The Tacoma's tech features were basic but functional, catering to an active lifestyle.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier offered wireless Apple CarPlay on the Pro-4X trim, with wired connections for other trims and Android Auto users. The Pro-4X featured a 9-inch infotainment system, the largest in its class, and a 10-speaker Fender premium sound system. The Frontier included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, keyless entry, and push-button start. The Pro-4X's off-road gauge cluster displayed real-time angles, and the Intelligent Around-View Monitor provided off-road camera views.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pro-4X trim added traffic-sign recognition. The Frontier received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests but lower ratings in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS rated the 2022 model highly for pedestrian crash prevention.