The Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition Is Just Cool

How will you not just like the Nissan Frontier Hardbody Version? It’s simply an look package, positive, nevertheless it’s one which works, with throwback three-spoke wheels, 4×4 graphics, and a black entrance bumper that evokes its Eighties namesake. All it wants is a few KC Daylighters on the game bar to finish the package deal.

What’s humorous is that the Frontier doesn’t want retro styling to really feel like a throwback. Sure, this third-generation Frontier debuted simply three years in the past, nevertheless it’s primarily based on the second-gen truck that got here out in 2004. Even in 2021, this Frontier felt a bit previous, and since then, we have seen the launches of brand-new variations of the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. (Plus the arrival of the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick, and an replace for the Honda Ridgeline, if you wish to embody car-based pickups.)

Get within the Frontier, and also you’ll discover bits and items Nissan’s used for many years. There’s no choice for a digital gauge cluster, no massive fancy infotainment display screen, nothing. And the place all the opposite mid-size rivals use turbo four-cylinders—hell, the Tacoma’s gone hybrid—the Frontier has a naturally aspirated V-6. It’s behind the instances, but it’s not an enormous downside.

Normally when an automotive journalist describes a automotive as “charming,” it’s actually damning with faint reward. Besides, that’s not the case with the Frontier. This truck has all you want, and nothing you don’t. 

I’ve spent a whole lot of time in new Tacomas just lately, and whereas it’s a fantastic truck, a whole lot of its bang-up-to-date expertise doesn’t essentially make life higher. The digital gauge cluster in that truck is tough to configure, and whereas the infotainment system is actually higher, you’re simply going to make use of CarPlay or Android Auto anyway, so who cares? And why do we’d like such massive screens?

Professionals: Hardbody Package deal Seems to be Superb, Easy Inside, Nice Journey High quality. 

The Frontier’s driving expertise is on par, too. Typically, the trip is excellent, although you do get a number of the low-to-medium-speed jitteriness frequent with unladen body-on-frame pickups. Out on the freeway, it’s remarkably quiet, and the elective Bose sound system on this one is surprisingly good, too.

For some purpose, the steering may be very heavy at low speeds, which generally is a ache. And admittedly, the naturally aspirated V-6 feels a step behind a contemporary turbo four-cylinder. It’s obtained 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, that are good numbers, however the torque peak is method up at 4,400 rpm. The brand new Tacoma’s 2.4-liter 4 makes 317 lb-ft at 1,700 rpm, and even the low-output model of GM’s 2.7-liter makes its 260 lb-ft from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm. There have been instances within the Frontier the place I want I had a bit extra grunt down low. In passing particularly.

However past that, it’s arduous to fault. The Frontier isn’t the final phrase in absolute refinement, however neither are any of its ladder-frame rivals. Regardless of Nissan not having the finances to pour engineering sources into its mid-sizer, it’s made one thing that’s nonetheless very worthy.

The Frontier Hardbody version isn’t a full-on off-roader just like the Professional-4X, nevertheless it does get some helpful upgrades. It has all-terrain Hankook tires, an aluminum skid plate, and metal rock rails. That ought to be greater than sufficient for light-to-medium obligation off-roading, however the Professional-4X does add upgraded Bilstein dampers, a locking rear differential, and hill-descent management. 

Cons: V-6 Wants Low-Finish Torque, Overly Heavy Steering, Costly

The largest knock towards the Frontier is that it doesn’t actually current a fantastic worth proposition towards its extra fashionable rivals. This truck specifically is dear. The Hardbody package deal is $3,890, it additionally requires the $2,190 Comfort Package deal and $995 Expertise package deal. These plus a pair different niceties push the MSRP right here to $47,135. That’s about the identical as a Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport hybrid, and never far off the $48,395 base for the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.

A whole lot of its rivals have stuff you don’t essentially want, however when the pricing is so shut, the Frontier’s raison d’etre begins to fade away. You need all the most recent tech and engines once they don’t actually price you any extra cash.

And but, the Hardbody is simply cool. No mid-sizer on sale at this time appears to be like this good, and no matter worth, that has an attraction all its personal.