With a new model year arriving, the competition among the different manufacturers is certainly growing, particularly when it comes to the pickup truck. Many people typically associate this vehicle class with the domestic manufacturers such as Chevy, Ford, GMC, and RAM, but 2024 is the year in which the expectations of the industry are greatly surpassed by the arrival of the Nissan Frontier.
Nissan has amassed a reputation over the years as a brand constantly on the cutting edge of technological innovation, which is certainly present in many of the safety and driving assistance features they’ve been instrumental in developing. The 2024 Nissan Frontier definitely has its work cut out for it as it goes up against not just the domestic brands who have been instrumental in establishing the pickup truck as the prevailing force for the working and off-road world. It also pits itself against the other offerings from Japan, such as the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline. But its stiffest competition is with itself, as it constantly works to continually produce vehicles better than it has before. As we’ve seen over the years, Nissan has always been known for their ability to rise to any challenge and adapt to the many changes that occur within the industry, and this is certainly present in the presentation and performance of the 2024 Nissan Frontier.
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If you were to ask several different truck owners what they look for first in a new truck, there’s a very good chance that most, if not all of them, would probably mention performance, in particular the vehicle's powertrain and how capable it is. Nissan has taken steps to streamline the production of many of their vehicles in recent years and make one powertrain available across all trim levels. The 2024 Nissan Frontier is no exception to this practice. Under the hood, you’ll find a 3.8L V6 engine equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The specifications relating to the performance of the V6 are rather impressive, as it moves the vehicle forward with the benefit of 310 hp and generates 281 lb-ft of torque.
By all accounts, the newest edition of the Frontier is agile and easy to maneuver around with minimal difficulty. While certainly geared for power and performance, its powertrain is also capable of conservative fuel economy and is an adaptable workhorse for those who need that on the job. Drivers can expect mileage of 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. These numbers are consistent with most pickup trucks in the Frontier's class. It proves to be efficient at towing as well, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 6,720 lbs when properly equipped. There are a variety of features that aid in the Frontier's performance, such as a double-wishbone suspension and off-road performance shock absorbers.
It only takes one look at the Nissan Frontier to know that you’re dealing with a vehicle that possesses a commanding presence. Its jet-black front fascia and rugged exterior are precisely what many drivers want in their trucks—the ability to make a memorable first impression. And while the Frontier certainly has a style to it that almost everyone will find attractive, drivers will also be pleased to know that there’s plenty of substance to match that style. The Frontier can be outfitted in two distinctive cab designs. There’s an extended King Cab, which can carry four passengers, and a Crew Cab version for drivers who need room for an extra passenger.
Besides the different cab configurations you can choose from, the Frontier can also be outfitted with a five- or a six-foot bed, and with a maximum payload capacity of up to 1,620 lbs, it should have enough muscle and space to carry anything you need to haul.
But what about the interior? After all, this is where you’ll be spending a great deal of time.
Like many other vehicle interiors, the Frontier is anchored by its infotainment system. The Frontier has been equipped with a brand-new screen for the 2024 model year. An eight-inch setup is the standard offering from Nissan, but a larger nine-inch version is available. By all accounts, the new system is intuitive and easy for anyone to operate. Aside from accommodating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there are several charging outlets and a port to connect with your phone via USB and USB-C jacks. An available Wi-Fi Hotspot will allow you to access the internet without using cellular data. Wireless phone use via Bluetooth is standard on all trims, and for the discerning audiophile, there are a variety of stereo setups to outfit the Frontier with. There are four different stereo options altogether, with base trims having a system with four speakers. Mid-level trims can upgrade to a system that has either six or ten, and for those who are looking to maximize their audio experience, a high-end system from Fender can be installed that features ten speakers for maximum enjoyment. Other offerings that come on all levels of trim include voice recognition and Sirius XM radio.
The 2024 Frontier comes standard with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite of safety features across all trims. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection allows you to navigate city streets and parking lots with an extra set of eyes to keep you and people outside your truck safe. High Beam Assist scans the road ahead of you when you drive at night and automatically adjusts your high beams to prevent you from blinding oncoming traffic. Lane Departure Warning lets you know when you have lost focus and are drifting out of your lane, and Blind Spot Warning lets you know when it is safe to switch lanes. All 2024 Frontiers come with Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and adaptive cruise control is available.
Many drivers in the market for a new truck talk a good game about gas mileage and insurance premiums but, in their hearts, are much more interested in how well their new truck will do off-road, splashing through mud, crawling rocks, and climbing mountains. There are plenty of vehicles on the market that are specifically designed for this sort of thing. Unfortunately, they usually come with a hefty price tag. That's not the case with the Frontier. The 2024 Nissan Frontier offers two distinct trims that are designed with off-roading in mind: the PRO-X and PRO-4X. The PRO-X has an MSRP of $36,000, and the PRO-4X will set you back an additional $3,000. [a] For perspective, the off-road trims of many comparable pickups cost almost twice as much.
While they still use the same powertrain as the rest of the trims, the PRO-X and the PRO-4X offer almost ten full inches of ground clearance—two more than their less adventurous brothers. The primary difference between the trims is the drivetrain—the PRO-4X is 4WD exclusive, and the PRO-X can be outfitted with either 4WD or RWD. Both vehicles offer an increased approach and departure angle, and both versions come with all-terrain tires with 17-inch wheels, which are more than capable of navigating the harsh terrains that adventurers love. Any experienced off-roader will attest that there’s much more to embarking on the path less traveled than simply having an effective powertrain and 4WD, and Nissan has taken the initiative to equip these trims with the necessary items.
Both off-roading trims have their undercarriages, fuel tanks, and transfer cases protected by skid plates. To maintain a smooth ride when the terrain is unforgiving, specially built shocks from Bilstein are in place, as is a suspension that’s been crafted for the off-road-ready trims. Both also feature turn-by-turn navigation, so you’ll have no trouble finding the right trail for your next adventure. With two distinctive trims that are priced so much lower than the high-priced off-road ready trims from the competition, the Frontier certainly lives up to its name as the ideal vehicle for exploration.