2020 Nissan Frontier review
Nissan Frontier highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Potent V6 engine
- Off-road prowess of Pro-4X
- Smooth nine-speed automatic transmission
Cons
- Minimal on-road comfort
- Lacks interior refinement
- Antiquated tech
Mileage (EPA estimate)
17 city, 23 highway, 19 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Powerful midsize truck performance.
Discover standard V6 performance, various cab styles, and 4x4 capabilities with the 2020 Nissan Frontier. This midsize pickup is built for work and off-the-clock fun, with a solid foundation and an off-road-oriented trim to seize great adventures. Whether carrying a crew or loading up friends and camping gear to spend a weekend outdoors, the 2020 Frontier delivers a spacious cabin with seating for four or five passengers (depending on the model you choose). Two bed lengths let you customize your payload needs, while the off-road PRO-4X conquers the roughest terrain. For a compact truck, the Frontier has a lot to offer.
All Nissan Frontier years
What is new for the 2020 Nissan Frontier?
- The Desert Runner and SL trims have been discontinued for 2020.
- Frontier trims have been upgraded with Smart Key and Bed Liner as standard equipment this year.
- The S trim now comes with Power Locks, Power Windows, CD Audio, and Power Mirrors as standard equipment.
- The SV trim now comes with CD Audio as standard equipment.
- The PRO-4X trim now comes with Leather Seats, Sunroof(s), and Power Seat(s) as standard equipment.
2020 Nissan Frontier trims
S
Includes 16-inch steel wheels, power windows with driver's one-touch auto-down, power door locks, Bluetooth® connectivity, seven-inch touchscreen display, and more.
SV
Adds 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, sliding rear window, chrome rear bumper, dual power outside mirrors, six-speaker audio system (Crew Cab models), and more.
PRO-4X:
Adds Bilstein off-road performance shocks, skid plates, power sliding glass moonroof, 5.8-inch touchscreen display, navigation system, and more.
Nissan Frontier photos
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Nissan Frontier
1. Variety of cab styles and bed lengths
Whether you need a midsize pickup for work or family duties, the 2020 Nissan Frontier offers two cab styles: a King Cab with seating for four passengers and a Crew Cab with five-passenger seating. Two bed lengths are also available to suit your needs. The 2020 Nissan Frontier King Cab comes standard with a six-foot-one-inch bed, while Crew Cab models have a five-foot bed on all trims except the SV, which offers a choice of either length. The Crew Cab is a solid bet if you're looking for the most interior space. This model boasts 33.6 inches of rear-seat legroom versus the King Cab's 25.4 inches.
2. Powerful performance
If you're looking for a midsize pickup with standard V6 performance, the 2020 Nissan Frontier delivers. This truck skips a four-cylinder altogether and goes right to a 3.8L V6 engine with 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. The engine connects to a nine-speed automatic transmission with 4x2 (standard on S and SV) or 4x4 (optional on S and SV; standard on PRO-4X). When properly equipped, the 2020 Nissan Frontier can tow an estimated 6,720 lbs., which is excellent muscle for towing a boat or trailer.
3. Strong frame
The 2020 Nissan Frontier is a tough and rugged midsize truck featuring a full-length, fully boxed ladder frame for extra strength. The structure also uses welded cross members and super-high-tensile-strength steel, which is sturdier than conventional steel and provides extra torsional stiffness for enhanced on- and off-road performance. Even with its rugged frame, the 2020 Frontier's ride is agile and features an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-leaf rear suspension that soaks up road imperfections with ease.
4. 4x4 capabilities
With the 2020 Nissan Frontier's 4x4 system (optional on S and SV trims and standard on the PRO-4X), you can customize the midsize pickup's performance. Choose between 2WD, 4H, and 4LO to match the truck's capabilities to the terrain. Other features, like hill start assist and hill descent control, are included when equipped with 4x4 and provide the 2020 Frontier with extra traction when tackling steep inclines and declines.
5. PRO-4X trim
If you're an outdoor enthusiast who likes to let loose on the trails, the 2020 Nissan Frontier includes an off-road trim designed for adventure. This model comes standard with 4x4 capabilities and other off-road-oriented features, including Bilstein® off-road performance shocks, skid plates to protect the oil pan, fuel tank, and a 4x4 transfer case. An electronic locking rear differential also helps conquer even the roughest terrain. In addition, the 2020 Frontier PRO-4X comes standard with a Utili-track® Channel System in the bed, with four adjustable tie-down cleats to keep camping equipment secure while traversing over rugged ground.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2020 Nissan Frontier, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
Reintroduced after a hiatus, the 2019-2021 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup available in SuperCab and SuperCrew body styles and three trims (XL, XLT, Lariat). 2019-2021 models use a 270-hp turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine with 310 lb-ft of torque that can tow an estimated 7,500 lbs., when properly equipped.
Standard features on the 2019-2021 Ford Ranger XL include:
16-inch silver steel wheels
Cloth upholstery
Rearview monitor with hitch assist
The 2017-2021 GMC Canyon is a midsize truck with two- and four-passenger Extended Cab body styles and a five-seat Crew Cab. 2017-2021 Canyon engine options include a standard 2.5L four-cylinder, a 3.5L V6 on higher trims, or an available 2.8L turbodiesel.
Standard features on all base models of the 2017-2021 GMC Canyon include:
Four-way power-adjustable driver's seat
Stability control system
Rearview monitor
The 2017-2021 Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup (available in Access Cab and Double Cab styles) featuring a rugged body with one-piece frame rails with eight-inch cross members and a fully boxed front sub-frame. Engine options include a 159-hp 2.7L four-cylinder on the 2017-2021 SR and SR5 trims, or a 278-hp 3.5L V6 on TRD Sport and higher trims.
The 2017-2021 Toyota Tacoma SR includes these standard features:
16-inch steel wheels
Sliding rear window
Bluetooth connectivity
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Nissan Frontier an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Nissan Frontier 2nd out of 8 among Midsize Trucks.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Nissan FrontierNissan Frontier features and specs
S 2WD 4D Crew Cab
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bed Liner
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.8L
Horsepower
310
Torque (ft-lbs)
281
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
21.1
Wheelbase
125.9"
Overall length
205.5"
Width
72.8"
Height
70.1"
Leg room
F 42.4"/R 33.6"
Head room
F 39.9"/R 38.6"
Front tires
P265/70TR16
Rear tires
P265/70TR16
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
662/6620 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2020 Nissan Frontier FAQ
The main difference between the 2020 Nissan Frontier SV and PRO-4X trims is that the PRO-4X is designed with off-road capabilities. This rugged trim features added equipment, including Bilstein off-road performance shocks, skid plates, and a locking rear differential.
The 2020 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab model comes standard with a power sliding glass moonroof with a tilt feature. Other trims of the Nissan Frontier do not include a sunroof, and this feature is not available in a package.
The 2020 Nissan Titan is a full-size truck with a 400-hp 5.6L V8 engine, which is more potent than the 2020 Frontier's 3.8L V6. When properly equipped, the 2020 Titan King Cab can tow an estimated 9,370 lbs. The 2020 Nissan Frontier towing capacity is an estimated 6,720 lbs., when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
The 2020 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab model includes PRO-4X embroidered leather-appointed seats in a graphite color. The leather seats complement a leather-wrapped steering wheel in the PRO-4X trim, which is also unique to this model.
More about the 2020 Nissan Frontier
Color options
Exterior colors:
Arctic Blue Metallic
Brilliant Silver Metallic
Cayenne Red Metallic
Glacier White
Gun Metallic
Magnetic Black Pearl
Interior colors:
Graphite
Steel
Interior details
The 2020 Nissan Frontier interior seats four passengers in King Cab models and five passengers in Crew Cab models. S and SV trims include cloth upholstery, while the PRO-4X model has PRO-4X embroidered leather-appointed heated front seats. 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab models also come standard with a 60/40 split flip-up rear bench seat to easily store extra cargo. The 2020 Nissan Frontier King Cab and Crew Cab models have 42.4 inches of front-seat legroom. Rear-seat legroom is more generous in the Crew Cab, with 33.6 inches versus the King Cab's 25.4 inches.
Child seat details
2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab and King Cab models have two complete sets of LATCH connectors on the outboard seats and three top tether anchors that allow the installation of three child seats in the back row. This includes LATCH car seats, infant car seats, rear-facing convertible car seats, forward-facing convertible car seats, and booster car seats. However, the tether anchors can be hard to find, and the lower anchors are difficult to work around.
Performance
The 2020 Nissan Frontier offers one engine option: a 310-hp 3.8L V6 with 281 lb-ft of torque. All models pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission with 4x2 (standard on S and SV) or 4x4 (optional on S and SV; standard on PRO-4X). With the 3.8L V6 engine and 4x2, the 2020 Frontier returns an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined.2 Opting for the 3.8L V6 engine and 4x4 gets you an EPA-estimated 19 mpg combined.
Year comparison
2005-2021 Nissan Frontier (second generation)
The second-generation Nissan Frontier was released in 2005 in Crew Cab and King Cab models, with a four-cylinder engine or a V6. In 2013, a Desert Runner trim was added to the lineup, which also included the off-road-capable PRO-4X. The midsize truck was available with rear- or four-wheel drive three years later, and a locking rear differential was added to the PRO-4X in 2014. A Midnight Edition joined the 2018 Frontier lineup, and a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system was added in 2019. A standard V6 and nine-speed automatic transmission were unveiled for the 2020 Nissan Frontier.
2022-present Nissan Frontier (third generation)
Nissan redesigned the Frontier for its third generation with a more rugged-looking exterior and a modern interior. New standard features include an eight-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capabilities. In addition, driver aids such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and driver drowsiness monitoring are standard on all trims.
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