Expert’s First Drive in the All New 2022 Nissan Frontier

The flaming fall colours were the backdrop to my recent first drive of the 2022 Nissan Frontier. We were trekking through the Gatineau hills on the north side of the Ottawa River in Quebec – on road and off. My first impression of the Frontier (a truck that has remained virtually the same for the past 17 years) was a sense of familiarity – I knew how the truck felt – and it felt very much like any Frontier I had driven in the past decade. Probably the first reason for this is the hydraulic steering – that has not changed, even though most trucks have now gone to electric. The second reason is that the frame and much of the running gear remains the same in this newest version. In fact, what had changed was the interior (which needed an update) and the powertrain. My takeaway on the whole package after a day behind the wheel was that the 2022 Nissan Frontier is now current and competitive. On the other hand, there was not one outstanding improvement that I’d want to highlight. The truck as a whole, soldiers on as the model you’d want to cross-shop with Toyota Tacoma, Ford Escape and of the GM twins (Colorado and Canyon). Stephen and I produced a video review for the Truck King channel.

My highlight list of the new 2022 Nissan Frontier

• Standard 3.8L direct injection V6 engine, producing best-in-class 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque
• The new engine has a direct Injection system, cylinder heads with integrated exhaust manifolds, variable displacement oil pump, variable timing control and variable tumble control valve
• Standard 9-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission
• Shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes, electronically controlled part-time transfer case
• Standard Hill Start Assist
• Hill Descent Control
• Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control
• Available electronic locking differential (PRO-4X)
• Available trailer hitch with wiring harness
• Standard Trailer Sway Control, available tow/haul mode switch
• 6,490 lb max towing capacity (when properly equipped)
• EPA estimated fuel economy: 13.7L/100 km city, 10.6L/100km highway and 12.3L/100km combined

Nissan says that its PRO-4X model is its biggest seller. This off-road version not only gets the most capable extra equipment, Nissan has added more interior luxuries such as:

• Available PRO-4X cloth and PRO-4X centre instrument panel and door panel accents, unique leather steering wheel with stitching
• Available LED fog lights
• LED taillights
• Available dual power outside mirrors, available heated outside mirrors
• Tinted rear window, available sliding rear window
• Available auto-tilt and slide moonroof with manual shade
• Two standard front tow hooks
• Steel skid plates (front – all models; transfer case, fuel tank – PRO-4X)
• Aluminum front skid plate (above steel skid plate) – PRO-4X
• Locking tailgate with dampened opening, closure assist and spoiler
• Available Utili-Track system with four adjustable aluminum-alloy tie-down cleats
• Available factory-applied spray-in bedliner
• Available under-rail LED bed lighting
• Available accessory racks, trays, dividers and modular storage systems
• 1,430 lb max payload
• Nine available exterior colours: new Boulder Gray Pearl, Tactical Green Metallic, Baja Storm and Cardinal Red Metallic Tricolour, along with Deep Blue Pearl, Red Alert, Glacier White, Gun Metallic and Super Black

In the realm of new technology and infotainment systems inside, Nissan has stepped up. Here is what you’ll find inside the new 2022 Nissan Frontier:

• Available largest-in-class 9.0-inch colour touchscreen
• Standard NissanConnect 8.0-inch colour touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Largest-in-class 7.0-inch Advanced Driver Assist Display
• Available NissanConnect with WiFi Hotspot and wireless smartphone charger
• Available Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode (PRO-4X)
• Standard Rear-view Monitor
• Two standard front USB ports (Type-A, Type-C); two standard rear USB ports (Type-A, Type-C; Crew Cab)
• Two available 120V outlets with 400-watt capability (1 rear; 1 bed)
• SiriusXM Radio with advanced audio features
• Available Fender Premium Audio with 10 speakers including dual subwoofers
• Available Nissan Door to Door Navigation
• Standard Push Button Engine Start
• Available Remote Engine Start
• Standard Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant

Here is a list of the Safety Technology now available in the 2022 Nissan Frontier.

• Standard Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes: Class-exclusive Rear Automatic Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist
• Standard Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
• Available Traffic Sign Recognition
• Standard Intelligent Cruise Control
• Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front passenger classification sensor)
• Standard front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor
• Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags
• 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
• 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including center position (Crew Cab)
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor system
• Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Easy Fill Tire Alert

Trucks are on sale now across Canada. MSRP pricing is as follows.

Frontier S King Cab 4×4 $39,998 CAD
Frontier SV King Cab 4×4 $41,498 CAD
Frontier SV King Cab 4×4 Conv. Pkg. $43,498 CAD
Frontier PRO-4X King Cab 4×4 $45,598 CAD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 LWB $43,998 CAD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 Sport LWB $45,398 CAD

*Photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co.