Compare the Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma on power, towing, features, and value. Find your perfect pickup at Ed Hicks Nissan in Corpus Christi today!
If you’re shopping for a compact pickup truck, two heavy hitters deserve to be on your radar: the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. These two midsize legends share a bonafide reputation for rugged reliability and off-road grit while offering abundant everyday practicality.
But you can only pick out one for your driveway–so which small truck best fits your needs? It’s time to compare the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. We’ll take the two toe-to-toe and break down their specs, performance, features, and overall value to help you make the right call.
Let’s start by popping the hood. When you compare the Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma specs, you’ll find Frontier’s inner workings make a bold first impression.
Every new Frontier has a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering a best-in-class 310 horsepower and an impressive 281 lb-ft of torque. The Tacoma? Its base engine is a modest four-cylinder, while the optional V6 tops out at 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque.
While the Tacoma is a solid truck, that extra muscle gives the Frontier a confident, more responsive feel on the road—and a clear edge when it’s time to tow, haul, or merge onto the highway.
Speaking of towing– it’s clear both of these small trucks are built to work! The Frontier offers a towing capacity of up to 6,720 pounds, while the Tacoma truck maxes out at around 6,800 pounds when properly equipped.
It’s nearly a towing toss-up, at first glance. Still, it’s worth noting that the Frontier offers its full towing potential without needing to upgrade to a premium trim or optional package–which isn’t the case for the Tacoma.
In the battle between Frontier vs. Tacoma for towing, payload capacity is nearly neck-and-neck, too.
So whether you’re hauling gear to the job site or towing a camper for weekend adventures, either pickup gets the job done—but the Frontier gives you more standard power to work with from the start.
For those with off-road ambitions, you can rest easy knowing both the Tacoma and Frontier have proven themselves on rocky trails and muddy terrain.
Let’s compare two of the off-road-ready optional trims from both the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma lines:
Yes, Toyota has a long-established legacy in the off-road community. But the latest-gen Frontier PRO-4X is gaining serious ground and turning heads thanks to its modern tech, comfort, and off-road chops. Plus, it brings a bolder, more aggressive style.
Step inside, and you’ll find that the Frontier and Tacoma offer practical layouts and plenty of tech to peruse.
The Frontier has a fresh, modern interior with an available 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a quiet, comfortable cabin. Standard cruise control, intuitive controls, and quality materials make it a great drive–whether you’re tackling your daily commute or heading off to grab supplies for your latest DIY project.
The Tacoma offers similar amenities… but has been slow to update the cabin in recent years. Some have been critical of the most recent Tacoma, citing that the ergonomics and tech feel dated. If you’re looking for the freshest tech and most comfortable commute, you’re likely to find the Frontier is your fit.
Power and comfort are a plus, but safety is a must. Thankfully, both small pickups keep safety in mind.
The Nissan Frontier includes the Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard on most trims. With Nissan Safety Shield 360, you can expect features like automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning, and lane departure warning.
The Tacoma comes with Toyota Safety Sense, which offers similar safety tech and functionality. However, some features may be exclusive to higher trim levels.
Either way, you can drive with confidence in either truck. However, the Frontier makes it easier to access advanced safety features without breaking your budget.
Both the Tacoma and Frontier come in a range of trims, from basic work trucks to fully loaded off-roaders. However, the Frontier is a better value in terms of performance and features.
When you go with a Nissan Frontier, you don’t have to climb the trim ladder to get premium features or strong performance. Every Frontier has the same V6 engine; even the base trims offer solid equipment.
With the Tacoma, you’ll need to pay more to unlock its best features—and even then, you may find the ride a bit less refined.
To find your perfect fit, consider what matters most to you and how you’ll use your small pickup.
Here’s how it shakes out depending on what you need most:
Still deciding between the Frontier or Toyota Tacoma? There’s no deciding factor quite like the test drive! Get behind the wheel and explore our lineup of new and used trucks to experience the Frontier’s powerful performance, impressive towing capacity, and rugged capability. Need something bigger? Explore the Nissan TITAN, too.
At Ed Hicks Nissan, we offer certified-pre-owned and new Frontier trucks and quality used Tacoma trucks. With us, you’ll be able to test drive both back-to-back and determine the compact truck that best suits your needs and your lifestyle. Whether you’re commuting through Corpus Christi, heading out for a weekend adventure, or hauling gear across town, we’ve got the truck that fits your needs.
Browse our inventory online now and stop by Ed Hicks Nissan today and take home your perfect pickup!
