Nissan was a pioneer of the small truck, starting with its Datsun 1000 back in 1959. The little trucks were useful for hauling whatever folks were making, growing or fixing — even if it only had a meager 37 horsepower.
These days Nissan is a major player in the midsize truck market (small trucks grew bigger), and forget about 37 horses. The 2022 Frontier Pro-4X has the most powerful engine in its class with 310 horses. And, at long last, the Frontier has been totally redesigned and re-engineered, marking the first overhaul in 16 years.
Its new design is chunky and rugged, and engineers retuned the powertrain and suspension for improved ride and handling. Nissan also expanded the standard safety package and enhanced the cabin with niceties like best-in-class 9-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The rugged exterior was inspired, Nissan says, by its Hardbody truck that won its reputation in off-road races in the '80s and '90s. It has a massive grille, muscular hood and fenders with interlocking LED lights all around. Most dimensions are nearly the same as last year, but overall length grows by 5 inches.
A "sport bar" on top, behind the cab, adds lighting and the impression of extra muscle, but not everyone likes it. Since it's an $1,100 option, skip it if you don't. The test truck also came with step rails, another option at $750, but they are unnecessary. They might even get in the way on off-road adventures, though they can be removed with a couple of bolts.
Power comes from a 3.8-liter direct-injection V-6 engine, introduced two years ago with 93 percent new or redesigned parts. Torque is rated at 281 pound-feet. Mated to a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain moves the Pro-4X to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and it does the quarter-mile in around 16 seconds, both of which match past figures.
The 4x4's ride is enhanced with hydraulic cab mounts that Nissan says reduce road vibration by 80 percent, while added insulation in the roof and floor makes it quieter, too. Bilstein off-road shocks mean smoother rides on and off road. Nissan says many changes were inspired by customers and other truck owners.
The retuned steering is nicely-weighted on the highway but comes with a quirk: It gets heavier around town and in parking lots, when it needs to be lighter.
Armed with all-terrain tires and a package of off-road equipment, the Pro 4X is not a hardcore off-roader but can tackle most rocky trails.
It is equipped with electronic locking rear differential, hill decent control and steel skid plates for the oil pan, transfer case and fuel tank, and an aluminum plate up front. A new off-road mode automatically turns on the cameras in 4LO to negotiate tight trails without a spotter outside.
Nissan also added a pair of tow hooks up front and standard trailer-sway control, which automatically applies brakes when needed. Frontier can tow up to 6,720 pounds, adequate for most moderate boats and trailers, and has a payload capacity is 1,610 pounds.
Finally, mileage figures are about the same as last year at EPA-estimated 17 mpg city, 22 highway, for 19 combined. A 500-mile mostly highway trip averaged 18 mpg during a test week.
With all that's going on outside the cabin, some of the best improvements to the Frontier Pro 4X are found inside, starting with a best-in-class 9-inch touchscreen that houses Nissan's latest infotainment system. It is intuitive and easy to use, and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A 7-inch screen to the left displays the speedo, tach and a configurable driver-data section at center. Other electronics include a wireless phone charger and available 10-speaker Fender sound system.
Zero-gravity seats, adorned with accent stitching, are soft yet supportive and provide ample lateral support to combat fatigue on long trips. The steering wheel tilts but still doesn't telescope. Go figure.
Rear seats offer limited legroom for taller folks and the upright seat back has drawn some complaints. A plus, however, is extra storage found underneath the rear seats.
While it's a cleaner, more refined cabin, it did not forget the creature comforts. Buttons and knobs control the climate. The center console has four liters of storage, nearly twice that of most pickups, Nissan says. And there are eight beverage holders for the thirsty.
The cargo bed is deeper by 1.4 inches, leading to 49 more cubic feet of space — a 7% increase over last year. A convenience package ($1,990) includes trailer hitch/wiring and 12V outlets in the cargo bed and rear seat.
Plus, a new dampened tailgate-assist makes it feel lighter while opening or closing, allowing one-handed loading and unloading. That's handy, say, when sliding in a kayak.
Nissan's Safety Shield 360 provides automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning as standard. A technology package ($900) adds class-exclusive automatic rear braking, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning.
The Frontier is the first to feature Nissan's Around View monitor with object detection and off-road mode.
So kudos to Nissan for retaining what customers loved most: an aggressive-looking, capable midsize truck that's built to commute or hit the trails on weekends. Adding class-leading horsepower and a classier cabin? No complaints here.
2022 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X Crew Cab
MSRP: $37,240
As tested: $46,570 (Includes step rails, $750; Convenience package with trailer hitch and Around View monitor, $1,990; Pro Premium package with leather seats, sunroof, Fender sound system, $2,790; sport bar, $1,095; Technology safety package, $990)
What's all the excitement about? Long-awaited (16 years) redesign brings best-in-class horsepower, biggest touchscreen, expanded safety.
Powertrain: 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine, good for 310 hp; mated to 9-speed transmission
How's the performance? Retuned suspension, Bilstein off-road shocks improve ride on and off the road; 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds
Fuel economy: EPA-estimated 17 mpg city, 22 highway, 19 mpg combined
