-Sn!PeR- Posted May 1, 2020 Posted May 1, 2020 Pros Smooth new engine New 9-Speed transmission Familiarity can be comforting Decent value Cons Dated interior Very small touchscreen on PRO-4X Missing expected safety features What’s New this year? For 2020, the Nissan Frontier is essentially the same as it’s been for more than a decade, with two big exceptions. The engine and transmission are new. We know an all-new 2021 Nissan Frontier will show up soon, and the new 3.8-liter 310 horsepower engine and 9-speed automatic transmission in the 2020 Frontier will both be part of that all-new truck. People Also Ask Is the 2020 Nissan Frontier all-new?No, only the engine and transmission are new. We know a new Nissan Frontier will be arriving sometime in 2021, but this truck is very similar to the previous years of the Frontier pickup. A new engine and transmission are the main new attractions for 2020. How much does the 2020 Nissan Frontier cost?The 2020 Nissan Frontier is estimated to have a starting price near $26,000 How much can the 2020 Nissan Frontier tow?The 2020 Nissan Frontier has a maximum towing capacity of 6,720 lbs. Is Nissan canceling the Frontier pickup?No. Nissan has a 2020 Frontier and will continue with a new 2021 Nissan Frontier. The 2020 Nissan Frontier will be the last version of the current truck which has remained very similar for more than a decade. Is the 2020 Nissan Frontier worth buying?Yes. Its main advantage is value. Because the Frontier has been around so long, the price has stayed relatively low. How long will the 2020 Nissan Frontier last?The Nissan Frontier should last well over 100,000 miles, but some owners in Nissan forums report transmission problems at about 100,000 miles. However, the 2020 Nissan Frontier has an all-new engine and transmission, so problems with the older trucks are not likely to be repeated with the 2020 model. What is the ground clearance of the 2020 Nissan Frontier?The standard rear-wheel-drive 2020 Nissan Frontier has 8.9 inches of ground clearance. Four-wheel-drive models have 10.1 inches. The PRO-4X version adds off-road friendly features like high-pressure shocks, skidplates, all-terrain tires, and an electronic rear differential. Where is the 2020 Nissan Frontier built?The 2020 Nissan Frontier is built in Canton, Mississippi. The engine for the 2020 and 2021 models is assembled at Nissan’s engine facility in Tennessee alongside the Endurance V8 that powers the full-size Nissan Titan. A Nissan pickup was actually the first Nissan vehicle built in the US in 1983. Overview For 2020, Nissan has added a significant update to a pickup that’s been around for quite some time. Although the 2020 Frontier looks a lot like the same old thing going back many years, it is worth checking out simply because of the new engine and transmission. When the all-new 2021 Nissan Frontier arrives, this 3.8-liter V6 and 9-speed automatic transmission will be found under its skin. The main selling point with the 2020 Frontier is that it uses a simple truck formula, but it’s completely modern under the hood. Because of that new engine/transmission combination, fuel economy is on par with the Toyota Tacoma, and acceleration is actually better than the Tacoma. With the 2020 Nissan Frontier, there’s beauty in simplicity. If you’re looking for a fancy, state of the art interior, this isn’t the truck for you. Big touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, lane-departure prevention, adaptive cruise control – you won’t find any of that here. You do get push-button start and a decent level of standard comfort features. However, if you like the look of the current Frontier combined with modern driving experience, it’s worth considering. When it comes to truck attributes, the Frontier barely tops the Tacoma in maximum towing capacity (it’s rated at 6,720 pounds), and it has more horsepower, more torque, and more ground clearance than the Tacoma. Driving the 2020 Nissan Frontier Thanks to the new engine and 9-speed transmission, the improvement in acceleration is noticeable right away. Without a load in the bed, this pickup’s pick up is impressive. Not only does the truck feel quicker than the previous V6-powered Frontier, it also feels quicker than a 2020 V6-powered Tacoma. The engine’s responsiveness is a real high point. It almost feels like a sport truck. For Nissan fans, the 2020 Frontier feels a lot like the supercharged Frontier from several years ago. Because of that new engine, the Frontier is really quiet for a truck. Unlike the Tacoma and the old Frontier, there’s no loud growling/whirring kind of noisiness. As a result, at highway speeds, you can kind of hear some wind noise coming from around the mirrors. The all-terrain tires on the PRO-4X make a little bit of noise too. Based on driving dynamics alone, the 2020 Frontier is very good. The ride is a great combination of firm-but-comfortable. On-road handling isn’t the best, as the pickup does lean quite a bit, but it is a body-on-frame truck so that’s to be expected. The Frontier is also surprisingly good at absorbing small road imperfections. However, there is a little extra movement when going over big bumps at speeds above 40 mph. In terms of overall quiet and comfort on the road, the Chevrolet Colorado is a little more pleasant, and the Frontier better than the Tacoma. Favorite Features FRONTIER PRO-4X MODELThis version of the Frontier looks cool. The wheels, roofrack and body-color outside mirrors give this version of the Frontier a classic “Tough Truck” look. 3.8-LITER V6 ENGINEThe new engine makes the Frontier fun. It feels quick but delivers its power without excessive noise or harshness. 2020 Nissan Frontier Interior Basic is the overall theme here. There’s not a lot to love or hate, it’s just functional. Pessimists will say it looks old, but an optimist will see it as “authentic,” especially when it comes to doing real-truck work or off-roading. If you need a truck that can get dirty inside without much complaining, this is it. The PRO-4X version comes standard with NissanConnect and navigation as well as a parking camera, but it all runs through a 5.8-inch touchscreen. That’s very small by today’s standards. For comparison, the Toyota Tacoma has an 8-inch touchscreen and the Subaru Outback has an 11.6-inch screen. Frontier S and SV models come with a 7-inch touchscreen radio, but that does not include navigation. Despite, the basic vibe, the seats are comfortable, and the controls are easy to reach. A new-for-2020 item is push-button start. The SV Value package adds two additional audio-system speakers, an auto-dimming mirror, a vehicle security system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. 2020 Nissan Frontier Exterior There are three distinct flavors for the 2020 Frontier: base S, mid-grade SV, and off-road-ready PRO-4X. In addition, both King Cab and Crew Cab versions are available. Think of the King Cab as a traditional “extended cab” with small access doors on both sides, as well as small “jump” seats that may accommodate a kid or two. The Crew Cab has four traditional doors and can comfortably fit adults in the back seat. On the Crew Cab SV, buyers can opt for a Special Edition package which adds a trip computer, special chrome grille, a body-color rear bumper, and 18-inch wheels. Rear-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive versions are offered, as are short- and long-bed configurations. There are also standard- and long-wheelbase versions. The long-wheelbase Frontier is a Crew Cab with a long bed. In that configuration, it looks a little awkward — as a 17-foot-long midsize truck sometimes can. In addition to the Special Edition package, there’s also the Midnight Edition with blacked-out wheels, bumpers and trim. 2020 Nissan Frontier Standard Features Happily, the 2020 Nissan Frontier S starts with the new 3.8-liter direct-injection V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. This is the only engine/transmission combination for 2020. Other standard Frontier S features include cloth seats, rear jump seats, 16-in steel wheels, a chrome rear bumper, a black front bumper, and front, side and side-curtain airbags. Also standard are air-conditioning, Bluetooth, a backup camera, a 7-in color touchscreen, a USB/iPod port and Siri Eyes Free, cruise control, two 12-volt DC power outlets, keyless entry, and power windows with auto-down for the driver’s window only. The Frontier SV adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a manual-sliding rear window, power outside mirrors, bed-rail caps, a body-color front bumper, vehicle immobilizer, oil pressure and voltage gauges, and both sun visors have vanity mirrors. Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab models include Bilstein off-road shocks, skid-plates on the fuel tank, oil pan, and transfer case, electronic locking rear differential, 16-inch alloy wheels with a unique finish, and 265/75R16 off-road tires. All PRO-4X models get a body-color grille, bumper, outside mirrors, and fog light housing. Inside, PRO-4X model drivers enjoy a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, white-faced gauges, and a trip computer. Instead of the 7-inch touchscreen, PRO-4X models get NissanConnect and navigation with a 5.8-inch touchscreen. This system also includes voice recognition for the navigation and audio system, satellite radio, and streaming audio via Bluetooth. 2020 Nissan Frontier Options Option packages available for the 2020 Frontier include the Midnight Edition. This appearance package adds gloss-black paint to the grille, wheels and mirrors, and includes a Midnight Edition badge. This is available only on Crew Cab SV short-bed versions. Opt for the Value Truck Package on the SV trim and you get rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, two additional audio-system speakers, an auto-dimming mirror with built-in compass and outside temperature display, spray-in bedliner, the Utili-Track bed system with four adjustable tie-down cleats, heated cloth seats, fog lights, a tailgate/bed extender, and a trailer hitch. Finally for 2020, there’s a Special Edition Package on Crew Cab SV short-bed models. This includes a trip computer, matte-finish chrome grille, a body-color rear bumper, and 18-inch wheels. 2020 Nissan Frontier Engine For the 2020 model year, the Nissan Frontier comes with one powertrain setup: a new 3.8-liter 310 horsepower engine and a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This configuration adds both quicker acceleration and some much-needed horsepower and torque bragging rights to Nissan’s midsize truck. 3.8-liter V6 310 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm 281 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg (rear-wheel drive) 17/23 mpg (4-wheel drive) How Much Does the 2020 Nissan Frontier Cost? Nissan hasn’t announced pricing for the 2020 Frontier yet, but we expect the base price to be around $26,000. Which Model is Right for Me? 2020 Nissan Frontier S16-inch steel wheels Black front bumper Full-size spare USB port 2020 Nissan Frontier SV16-inch alloy wheels Oil pressure and volt gauges Power side mirrors Sliding rear window w/ lock 2020 Nissan Frontier SV Value Truck PackageSpray-in bedliner Tow hitch Heated seats Movable cargo tie-downs for the bed Fog lights 2020 Nissan Frontier Midnight EditionGloss-black grille Gloss-black painted side mirrors 18-inch black wheels 2020 Nissan Frontier PRO-4XOff-road shocks All-terrain tires Electronic rear differential Skidplates In-car navigation 2020 Nissan Frontier Special Edition18-inch alloy wheels Body-color bumper Trip computer Special chrome grille 2020 Nissan Frontier Safety Technology Crumple zonesThe 2020 Frontier doesn’t have much in terms of advanced safety features, so this is a good spot to reiterate a vital safety feature shared by all modern vehicles. Every Frontier is built to include crumple zones at the front and rear of the truck. Crumple zones help keep occupants safe by absorbing the impact energy of a crash and channeling it away from the people inside. Rear parking sensorsIn addition to the rear parking camera, parking sensors that sound an audible alert if you’re getting too close to an object as you’re backing up are available. This requires the Value Truck Package.
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