2020 Nissan Frontier: A Modern Take on a Classic Midsize Pickup
Well, this is unusual. Standard operating procedure for a vehicle at death’s door is for a manufacturer to let it quietly atrophy and to fend off all questions about a replacement with a “we don’t comment on future product” statement. Not so with the 2020 Nissan Frontier, the current granddaddy of the compact/midsize pickup segment. It’s receiving a new powertrain, and Nissan is making it abundantly clear that this is a retirement present. We will see this engine in an all-new version of the Frontier, which is expected soon.
New Powertrain Overview
The Frontier’s current four- and six-cylinder engines will both give way to a single powerplant: a new direct-injected 3.8-liter V-6 that delivers 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. That’s 49 more horsepower compared to the 4.0-liter V-6 found in the 2019 Frontier. While torque remains unchanged, this new engine promises to offer a significant increase in acceleration and fuel economy, thanks in large part to its accompanying nine-speed automatic transmission. As usual, the 2020 Frontier will be available with rear- or electrically-shifted part-time four-wheel drive.
Updated Features for Comfort and Convenience
Along with the new engine, the Frontier is stepping into modernity with a newly standard tilt-adjustable steering column, power windows, and power locks, as well as push-button ignition— which is anticipated to be an automotive trend of the 2000s. The model lineup is being streamlined; Extended (“King”) cabs are offered in S and SV trims, while the crew cab will be available in S, SV, and Pro-4X levels with two wheelbase choices for SV models.
Market Timing and Future Outlook
Nissan is not shy about the fact that a new Frontier is coming. It has made it clear that this new powertrain will play a starring role in the next-generation model. After all, the current Frontier was introduced in 2004 and face-lifted in 2009, with rarely a mention in the ongoing midsize pickup wars against competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Jeep Gladiator.
Interestingly, the timing of this new powertrain suggests that Nissan plans to take a leaf out of Toyota’s book with its latest Tacoma model, opting to enhance the existing truck’s features—something more extensive than a simple facelift but not entirely new. This decision could signify that Nissan aims to stick to a proven formula for the Frontier, ultimately balancing cost-efficiency while delivering a reliable and updated vehicle.
Conclusion
The 2020 Frontier and its new engine are set to go on sale this spring. While an exact launch date hasn’t been announced, it’s reasonable to predict that the 2021 Nissan Frontier will debut within the next year, marking a significant return to form for this longtime favorite in the midsize pickup truck segment.
