Name: 2020 Nissan Frontier
Brand: Nissan

Nissan Frontier

EPA MPG: 19 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 19 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Nissan Frontier First Drive

Summary

Introduction

All-New Engine for Long-Running Nissan Frontier

The final Frontier gets a major upgrade right before a complete redesign

Overview

One of the oldest vehicles on the market is getting a major update. The Nissan Frontier will have a new engine and transmission for 2020—one of the biggest changes this compact pickup has undergone since its last major redesign in 2005. The Frontier competes with other compact pickup trucks such as the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma, which have all been redesigned in the past few years.

Nissan promises the 2020 Frontier’s new powertrain will have better fuel economy and more power than either of the two outgoing engines it replaces. Still, the rest of this truck is long past its prime—so much so that we think buyers who are concerned about crash test results and active safety should wait until an all-new Frontier debuts next year.

Impressions

If you’ve seen a Nissan Frontier in the last 15 years, you’ve essentially seen the 2020 model. In its last year before a total redesign, Nissan says it "streamlined" the Frontier lineup and axed a few special trims.

Both the King Cab and Crew Cab will be available with front- and four-wheel-drive in both S and SV trims. The Frontier Crew Cab with a 73.3-inch long bed will only be available in the higher SV trim, which also comes with more attractive alloy wheels rather than steel ones. A PRO-4X trim—designed for off-roading—will still be offered.

Nissan added a few standard features that should keep the base-model Frontier from feeling too bare-bones. Push-button start, a leather-wrapped shift knob, tilt steering wheel, power door locks, and power windows now come standard on all Frontiers.

Although some buyers may miss the spartan character of the old Frontier’s more basic interior, our Owner Satisfaction survey data shows that most Frontier owners weren’t very happy with their trucks. Perhaps a few common niceties will help.

There’s only one engine and transmission choice: an all-new 310-horsepower V6. While the new engine is smaller in terms of displacement, it has 49 more horsepower. It’s matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission that’s similar to the one found in the current Nissan Titan truck. Neither a four-cylinder engine nor a five-speed manual transmission is offered for 2020.

Together, Nissan says the new powertrain is good for improved fuel economy and acceleration—good news, since we measured a lousy 15 mpg from the old 4.0-liter V6 when we last tested the Frontier.