2024 Nissan Frontier King Cab

Having debuted for the 2022 model year, the third-generation Nissan Frontier is still relatively new. But it didn’t push any boundaries when it arrived, and now it’s competing for buyers against even newer midsize trucks from Chevy/GMC, Ford, and Toyota. There’s plenty to like about the Nissan, just not as much as there is to like about most of its rivals.

A new range-topping trim, the SL Crew Cab, makes its debut this year, bringing leather seating surfaces, LED lighting, and a Fender-branded audio system. The NissanConnect Services trial subscription is extended from six months to three years (offering features like remote start/stop/lock/unlock), but it’s only offered with the Pro trims. A Hardbody Edition package with the SV Crew Cab 4×4 evokes the original Nissan midsize pickup with cosmetic additions. It costs $3,890.

Other contenders in this midsize pickup arena include the Ford Ranger, starting at $32.5K. The Chevrolet Colorado comes in around $30K, with the GMC Canyon closer to $38K. The Toyota Tacoma begins in the $28.5K region.

Before buying a new Frontier truck, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The Frontier’s resale values are slightly below average, similar to the Colorado, and better than the Canyon. But the Tacoma does best, followed by the Ranger.

The Frontier is propelled by 310 horsepower from a 3.8-liter V6. That’s appreciably more than the base engines in competitive trucks. We also like the comfortable, stable ride quality and midsize dimensions. It’s not a liability in city driving like a full-size truck can be. Our only gripe is the unnecessarily heavy steering. Oh, and the steering column does not adjust for reach.

The Pro-4X isn’t an extreme off-roader to the levels of the Ford Ranger Raptor or the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. However, it still has plenty of mud-splashing talent, thanks to additions like an electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein suspension components.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize pickup trucks, including the Nissan Frontier.

Payload and Towing

The 2024 Nissan Frontier’s maximum payload is 1,620 pounds, achieved by the rear-drive SV with the shorter bed (59.5 inches). This same variant also offers the Frontier’s best towing capacity: 6,640 pounds.

Fuel Economy

With rear-wheel drive (RWD), the Frontier achieves 20 combined mpg (18 city, 24 highway). A comparable Ford Ranger returns 23 combined mpg.

Swap in 4-wheel drive, and fuel economy dips slightly by one mile per gallon on the highway. The all-terrain tires of the Pro-4X reduce that to 19 combined mpg (18 city, 22 highway).

King Cab or Crew Cab, the Frontier has seating for five occupants. But our reviewers noted that even the 4-door Crew Cab is not quite so generous with its rear legroom as some rivals. Compare the Frontier’s 33.2 inches with the Ford Ranger’s 34.6. The Chevy Colorado has another tenth beyond the Ford’s, if that matters. That said, we like the utilitarian and contemporary cabin.

The big story this time is the Hardbody Edition, a retro package that includes 17-inch wheels wearing all-terrain tires, special-design decals, and black exterior elements.

Despite its royal name, the 2-door King Cab is the smaller of the two cabins available. The standard bed is 59.5 inches long. A longer bed, measuring 73.3 inches, is attached to the King Cab and available with the SV Crew Cab.

Standard V6 engine
The trend is to install a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, but there’s also something appealing about the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 in the 2024 Frontier. It makes as much power as some optional engines in rival trucks.

Comfortable front seats
Nissan knows what it’s doing with its front seats. We’ve found the ones in the Frontier to be exceptional.

Technology package
We recommend springing for this bundle, which is optional across the 2024 Frontier lineup. It adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, emergency reverse braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Utili-track system
This comes in a couple of Convenience packages. It has three rails in the bed with adjustable tie-down cleats, providing quite a bit of versatility when securing a load.

Nissan Skill for Amazon Alexa
This allows voice control for those NissanConnected features like remote start. Just say the words, and the action is carried out.

Pro-4X
Even if we’re not going to explore the wilderness every weekend, this off-roading model has a certain coolness thanks to its bold look and dedicated hardware.

There’s just one engine in the Nissan Frontier, a 3.8-liter V6 making 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. This connects to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the default setup, with 4-wheel drive offered as an option or standard in the Pro-4X off-road specialist.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Nissan’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, with roadside assistance included for the same term. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This coverage is typical of the segment.

Safety Ratings

This generation of Frontier pickup hasn’t been tested fully by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and not at all by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking is standard, but blind-spot monitoring is optional.