2025 Ford F-150 vs 2025 Nissan Frontier

The 2025 Nissan Frontier, with its new Afterburn Orange paint, evoked nostalgia reminiscent of a quirky aunt's choice of a pumpkin orange Chevy pickup in the 1970s. This vibrant hue was hard to miss in a parking lot and added a distinctive flair to the Frontier PRO-4X Luxury, the off-road-ready version of Nissan's pickup. Available in various trims and body styles, the Frontier offered a range of prices in Canada, with the PRO-4X Luxury model starting at $59,295. Minor styling updates for 2025 included more black exterior trim and a modernized interior with new orange accents and a larger infotainment screen. The cabin's switchgear was a highlight, allowing for easy operation of features without relying on touchscreens, and the materials used felt of higher quality compared to some competitors.

In contrast, the 2025 Ford F-150 Tremor SuperCrew was a robust and visually striking truck, equipped with a 5.0-litre V8 engine and standard four-wheel drive. Priced from $71,005 in Canada, the Tremor featured distinctive design elements like Active Orange accents and exclusive wheels. The new Space White Metallic paint added a sophisticated touch to its rugged exterior. Inside, the Tremor's black interior with orange accents and optional leather upholstery provided an industrial yet comfortable atmosphere. The F-150's cabin was spacious, with ample storage and features like a panoramic sunroof and power sliding rear window enhancing the driving experience. Despite its size, the Tremor offered a quiet and composed ride on highways, with its off-road capabilities further enhanced by Ford's Trail Control system.

Under the hood of the 2025 Nissan Frontier was a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. All Canadian models featured a standard shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system. While not particularly fuel-efficient, the Frontier exceeded expectations with a combined fuel economy of 12.5 L/100 km during testing. The 2025 model saw an increase in towing capacity, with the King Cab PRO-4X models capable of towing up to 3,100 kilograms. The PRO-4X trims were equipped with off-road enhancements like Bilstein shocks and skid plates, though the suspension was stiff on rough terrain. Despite occasional transmission hesitancy, the V6 engine delivered a satisfying performance, and the Frontier's handling was surprisingly sporty on mountain roads.

The 2025 Ford F-150 Tremor boasted a powerful 5.0-litre V8 engine, generating 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a maximum towing capacity of 4,490 kilograms and a payload capacity of 780 kilograms. While the base twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 offered better fuel efficiency, the V8's performance and sound were compelling. The Tremor's off-road capabilities were enhanced by a long-travel suspension, skid plates, and Ford's Trail Control system. Despite its size, the Tremor handled trails with ease, though its dimensions required caution in tight spaces. On highways, the Tremor offered a quiet and composed ride, with its all-terrain tires limiting handling on twisty roads.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seat design, providing comfort for the driver and front passenger. The test truck included leather seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats and steering wheel. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with a short cushion and nearly vertical backrest. Storage options included a full-width storage area under the rear seat and various nooks and crannies in the front. The cargo bed was equipped with Nissan's Utili-Track system, a spray-in bedliner, and illumination, though it lacked a step for easier access.

In the 2025 Ford F-150 Tremor, running boards facilitated entry and exit, and the spacious cabin offered long-haul comfort with power-adjustable front seats and a roomy rear bench. The test truck featured perforated leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The optional panoramic sunroof and power sliding rear window enhanced the driving experience. Storage was plentiful, with the Mobile Office package transforming the centre console into a workstation. The Tremor's cargo bed included the Pro Access tailgate, a hard tonneau cover, and a spray-in bedliner, with a retractable rear step for easier access.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen for the NissanConnect infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with an active data plan. The infotainment system, while improved, had a clunky interface, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The test truck's wireless smartphone charger and 10-speaker Fender audio system were highlights, though the Frontier lacked some advanced towing features found in competitors.

In the 2025 Ford F-150, dual 12-inch displays provided impressive usability despite their relatively small size by modern standards. The infotainment system and 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system were excellent, with seamless smartphone integration and outstanding voice recognition technology. The Tremor also featured a widescreen head-up display, helpful cameras for off-roading and parking, and a suite of trailering assistance features. The infotainment system's usability and the effectiveness of the native navigation system were standout features.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver assistance and collision-avoidance systems. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Adaptive cruise control was standard, though the lane-departure warning system issued frequent false alerts. The Frontier received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with concerns about its driver protection and rollover resistance ratings. The IIHS had not released complete safety ratings at the time of writing.

The 2025 Ford F-150 Tremor featured an impressive array of safety technologies, including new oncoming-traffic detection, evasive steering assist, and predictive speed assist. The BlueCruise hands-free driving technology was standard, offering a reliable hands-free experience with clear communication of its operational status. The F-150 earned high marks in crash tests conducted by the NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS also rated the F-150 highly, with only the Toyota Tundra performing better.