The Nissan Frontier pick-up returns as a 2022 model, confirmed for the US market.
Many Nissan fans in Malaysia might remember a time when Edaran Tan Chong Motor sold not one, but two pick-up trucks – the Navara and the Frontier. Well, they’re actually different names for the same vehicle. In Malaysia, the Frontier was essentially the 1st generation Navara. When the Navara name was introduced to Malaysia, this was to sell the newer generation of pick-up truck and slowly the Frontier pick-up was phased out of production.
By 2015, ETCM launched an all-new generation of pick-up and by this time, the Navara name had become the only pick-up model sold in Malaysia by Nissan. Well, things are about to become a bit more confusing for some.
That’s because Nissan USA just announced an all-new Nissan Frontier pick-up truck for the 2022 model year. It is unlikely that this Frontier will replace the Navara in South East Asian markets, as the facelift to the Navara was just announced a few months ago and it hasn’t even been brought to market here yet.
More likely, Nissan has split up the product to have the Frontier cater to the American market. This would be more in line with its current global strategy, which puts Nissan in charge of product planning for the US market.
Well, even if we never get to see this Frontier on our roads, we still think it looks absolutely fantastic. US customers will start seeing it in showrooms by Q3 of 2021.
Check out details of the new Frontier in the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Aggressively imposing exterior design
The all-new Frontier design combines aggressive, modern style with elements inspired by the iconic Nissan Hardbody, a truck that burnished its rough and rugged reputation winning off-road races in the 1980s and 1990s.
Frontier features a powerful front end with a massive grille and chiselled hood, framed by new precision interlocking headlights. A wide, elevated stance and massive vertical fenders evoke durability and strength, accentuated by a high eye-point and high shoulder bodysides – where natural light and shadows meet.
In the rear, precision lighting features a machined, structural look, with the lamps appearing to clamp to the body sides. The muscular rear fenders combine with the rear bumper for an athletic, uncompromising stance.
Body colours such as Tactical Green Metallic offer a new, yet familiar, perspective – inspired by tech-savvy backcountry gear. Another example, Boulder Grey Pearl, helps accentuate the Frontier’s exterior form and pairs well with bold accent colours.
And for an even more aggressive look, the specially-equipped 4WD-only Frontier PRO-4X and new-for-2022 2WD-only Frontier PRO-X feature LED headlamps, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED fog lights and Lava Red grille accents.
Confident capability
Building on a proven chassis and frame – one of the most durable in the mid-size truck segment with multiple industry quality and durability awards – the engineering team refined and tuned the powertrain, steering and suspension with a focus on the demands of U.S. truck owners.
The standard 310-horsepower 3.8-liter direct injection V6 engine, which was all-new for 2020 with 93 percent new or redesigned parts, offers best-in-class horsepower1. Torque is rated at 281 lb-ft.
Matched to the engine is a 9-speed automatic transmission designed to maximize efficiency and provide strong acceleration. With an expanded lockup area, a new high-response electro-hydraulic system, long input shaft and a 99 percent wider gear range (versus the previous Frontier 5-speed design), the transmission offers quick, crisp and direct shift response throughout the entire gear range.
Nissan also retuned Frontier’s hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear for 2022 to provide better on-center feel, reducing driver fatigue on long trips. Steering gear ratio has been increased by 16 percent, leading to a faster response with less steering effort.
Frontier’s front and rear suspensions offer best-level ride and handling both on- and off- road. New hydraulic cab mounts reduce road vibration by 80 percent, while new urethane jounce bumpers – the only in class – provide improved damping for a smoother ride. In addition to a larger front stabilizer bar, a rear stabilizer bar reduces body roll and increases traction. Standard 4-wheel ABS disc brakes provide confident stopping power.
Frontier 4WD models feature a shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes operated by an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. Frontier 4WD models are available with a 4-wheel limited-slip system, which helps transfer power to the drive wheels with more grip on low traction surfaces. Hill Start Assist is standard on all models, and Hill Descent Control is standard on all 4WD models – helping adventurers safely climb and descend steep grades.
The PRO-4X model adds an electronic locking differential, Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and underbody skid plates for the most fierce of off-road adventurers.
Bed utility continues to be a strength for Frontier, with an available high-utility bed that includes a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and Utili-trackTM Channel System. The Utili- TrackTM system provides ultimate cargo hauling flexibility through the use of three special “C” cross-section rails mounted in the bed. In addition, four fixed bed tie-down hooks help secure adventure gear of all shapes and sizes.
A dampened tailgate assist – new for 2022 – is standard on all models. Inside the bed, two standard stop lamp lights mounted on the back of the cab and two new available LED cargo bed lights make the all-new Frontier ready for any adventure, night or day.
Frontier’s towing capacity is rated at up to 6,720 pounds (maximum, when properly equipped). New for 2022 is standard Trailer Sway Control, which detects sway and automatically applies the brakes to eliminate it for a more confident towing experience.
