2013 Nissan Frontier vs Toyota Tacoma

[nissangirl74]

and the winner is...... The Frontier!!!

Looking for a mid-size truck? Looks like the Frontier is your best bet!

The CarConnection did their own comparison and picked the Frontier, with a 7.6 to 6.2 rating. They preferred the Frontier in the categories for style, performance, quality, and safety. For features and green, there was a tie.

I did a side-by-side comparison of the two trucks on Nissan's website and once again, at least on paper, the Nisan outperforms. You can see all the details below, but here are a few that I thought were worthy to point out:

- Horsepower. F: 261. T: 236
- Torque. F: 281. T: 266
- GCWR (Gross combined weight rating) F: 11,133 pounds T: 8,100 pounds
- The Frontier also had more front and rear legroom, front and rear hip room, and overall passenger volume.
- Starting price for Frontier is $620 cheaper.
- Combined MPG, Nissan is slightly better. 22 vs. 21

http://compare.nissanusa.com/nissan_com ... nu=results

I've never driven a Tacoma but I love my Frontier. If you were in the market, which one would you choose?

[MinisterofDOOM]

That's a HUGE difference in payload/tow capacity. I wonder if it's because the Tacoma's frame is not fully-boxed like the Frontier's. (Which, while we're on the topic, makes NO SENSE considering that the FJ Cruiser's frame IS fully boxed...which one are you going to be piling dirt in the bed of again? WTF Toyota?). Could also be related to the brakes or other mass-handling attributes...though you'd think Toyota would man up and offer a Tow Package with some proper brakes and a decent trans if that were the case. Even WITH the tow package on the V6, the Taco is rated at a miserable 3300lb (HALF of the Frontier's maximum rated capacity). Even the new CVT-equipped unibody Pathfinder is rated higher than that (not that I trust those numbers). Heck, I could probably have towed more than that with my HT4100 Cadillac.

I wonder if it's Toyota's way of trying to shift buyers toward the LOOK AT MY STEROID BULGES I'M SO MANLY Tundra for towing needs? You can, after all, get a Tundra with the 4 liter (while you CANNOT get a Titan with anything but the 5.6).

[NolimitZ32]

I've owned both a WD Pathy and several 2nd Gen 4Runners, I also owned a 2011 Tacoma and looked into buying a Frontier when I bought my Tacome (new). Just on my experience the baest of them all is my 1995 4Runner, I went back to the 4Runner after having owned the 2011 Tacoma. I use my 4x4s for traveling and for fun more than utility and I am cool with the 130 or so HP that the 14mpg gets me because the thing just refuses to quit and because I'll run circles around anything on almost any terrain.

Having said all that (if I still have your attention) I did a full head to head in depth comparo when I was buying my Taco and was extremely disappointed with the Frontier. I can't name any particular points sorry guys and gals but it has been a bit over 3 years. I'f I can remember anything or find anything I wrote down I'll add it here.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'd like to see a comparison with their 4 cylinders.
If I were to buy the truck, I'd probably go for the 4 banger option, although I simply can't get over my deep rooted hatred for the QR.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

On paper, the 'yota 4 banger definitely looks superior, although as Chris mentioned, the frame is far superior in the Frontier.

[AZhitman]

That's a HUGE difference in payload/tow capacity. I wonder if it's because the Tacoma's frame is not fully-boxed like the Frontier's.

Our Frontier tows like a beast. My trailer isn't light, and we've put a 3K-lb Datsun on it and made the PHX - Long Beach run at 85 mph. Temp gauge never moves, even with the A/C on, and she pulls that long hill up through Palm Springs like a champ.

Even WITH the tow package on the V6, the Taco is rated at a miserable 3300lb (HALF of the Frontier's maximum rated capacity).

Cripes. That's pathetic. Wonder if people realize it's that wussy?

Then again, all they know is what they see on the commercials. Nothing tough about a 3300lb towing capacity.

I wonder if it's Toyota's way of trying to shift buyers toward the LOOK AT MY STEROID BULGES I'M SO MANLY Tundra for towing needs? You can, after all, get a Tundra with the 4 liter (while you CANNOT get a Titan with anything but the 5.6).

More marketing / packaging voodoo. People see beefy bodywork and think they're getting a workhorse. Not so.

[nissangirl74]

You can, after all, get a Tundra with the 4 liter (while you CANNOT get a Titan with anything but the 5.6).

Why in the sam hell would you want less motor to haul more a**? The Tundra weighs 1,640 MORE pounds than the Tacoma.

[WDRacing]

Wonder if people realize it's that wussy?

Then again, all they know is what they see on the commercials. Nothing tough about a 3300lb towing capacity.

I'm betting this is the case. Low-information-consumers who rely on salesman tradecraft for their information.

3300lbs is barely enough to tow a Uhaul car trailer and a Geo Metro.

[Bubba1]

Glancing at the New CU Auto issue. The Frontier was recommended and Tacoma was not.

[JTR32gtst]

I have owned 3 Frontiers. 2000, 2001 and 1998. The 2000/2001 were both V6 4x4's, one auto, one 5 speed. Both did everything I asked of them and more. Both spent zero times in the shop and I ran them very hard. The 2001 made many trips to Colorado and elsewhere, doing pretty good on fuel mileage, and it also towed a many a cars behind it and still did 70 mph. The 1998 was a 4 cyl 5 speed 4x4 and was by far the toughest truck I have owned. It was a pig in power and speed, though it did manage to haul my friends 240sx to Selena Kansas and back and I picked up a Trueno for him and brought it back to Dallas one weekend. The whole time was basically pedal to the floor and hills, forget it, but it never overheated and did everything I ever asked of it. It too, had zero shop time. The only Toyota I have ever owned was a 1994 4 cyl 5 speed 4x4. It went through three head gaskets, I head and two motors in a span of 2 years. It was trash compared to my Frontiers, however, before I replaced the motor, I let it run with a bad head gasket. I was not nice to it. The 22RE is a pretty solid motor, I will give it that. It got so bad, I was putting a gallon of water in it after driving for 15 minutes. I ran it hot, to redline, and it never quit. I decided to quit waiting for it to go so I replaced the motor before I managed to find it's breaking point.

My 2011 Pro4x Titan, however, is by far the most comfortable, powerful truck I have owned or riden in. I love the backseat space, the towing capacity, the pull of the motor and the ergonomics of the cabin space. I do dislike the fuel mileage, but on a long trip, twice, I managed to squeeze 20.3 mpg out of her, which I will take any day from this size truck. I am impressed with its off road capability, yet smoothness on the streets to where my newborn sleeps in the back seat without being jolted around. The ground clearance sucks stock, but Rough Country leveling kit has fixed that and it cleared the logs fine when I was in the bottom of a drying out pond. I thoroughly enjoy my Titan and have yet to reach its limits. My friend has Tundra, and they are equipped about the same. I like the ease of use with the BT in the Tundras compared to the Titans. He can play music from his phone through BT on the Tundra, where as the Titan BT is only for the phone. Granted, the Titan has both the cable for iWhatever in the glove box and an Aux jack, but that requires cables and what not. Otherwise, I love my Titan and would not own another full size truck.

[Rev_D21]

Had a Tacoma 2WD parts delivery truck during my time at Hyundai, did not like the interior one bit. I hated the gauge cluster layout the most, it just looked silly to me.

[asoomal]

Is Nissan advertising the same way Toyota does for tow ratings?
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/th ... -tech-dept

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/07/j2 ... years.html