You keep your weak sauced Taco with it’s shifty transmission. And I’ll take the Fronty with the more powerful (3.8L V6) powertrain and very capable (9spd trans) drivetrain along with its 5 year warranty.
I like that you guys actually drive these trucks like most people would. Some reviewers just crawl around, sweating the littlest scrapes. You guys bomb through the mud laughing off the hits.
When I bought my 2021 TRD off-road Tacoma and brought it off-road tons of people were complaining because it was brand new. What’s the point of buying one if you don’t use it is what I say.
True, if I had the money I'd go for the Tacoma but to save thousands on the Frontier for it to do the same job i'm taking the Frontier. Lets just hope the Frontier doesn't need a lot of maintanence.
@@sae1er clearly haven’t seen the the last frontier which 90% of the truck is based. Just new a body, interior, suspension geometry. We have 13 2010’s on our job site still going with 230k+ miles and nothing but annual oil changes, batteries and brakes pads. 1 set of front rotors each and obviously tires. We’ve lost 2 Silverado‘s and 1 F150 I’ll before they hit 160k……we almost replaced them before production ended on the D40 to keep op costs down especially since Nissan was selling SV 4wd for 22k .
For the price difference, the frontier would be my choice. With the extra money you saved, you could upgrade the suspension and tires and have a far superior vehicle
I keep wondering what a set of KO2's on the Pro4X could do, so yeah, cheaper truck with a bit of room to upgrade could be a nice pathway to a nice piece of kit without having to pay the Toyota tax.
In the NH overland challenge, teams with Toyota’s had zero broken parts, the one team with Nissan’s had broken CV axles. There were a lot more Toyota trucks in the field. It doesn’t matter how much you “upgrade” there is no way Nissan is more superior platform to a Toyota. Sorry dude.
Hello from Northern Wisconsin 🌲 I’ve got a 13’ Pro 4X with a 105k and I’ve had that thing everywhere… never failed me. In 4-low I can blast through 2-3ft of snow or mud without any issue, and if I do get stuck, E-lock will crawl me out… but most of the trail driving and snow driving is done in 4-Hi. My buddy is a Nissan tech so he does all the maintenance for a great price… all synthetic fluids changes done liberally. Only issue is gas mileage, especially if 4WD is used often… and the 4x4 icon doesn’t disengage immediately after using 4-low and E-lock (no idea why) But she’s been golden from Montana to Maine 🙏🏻 🇺🇸
That's why sometimes is better to buy a base trim. Might as well put some real stret tires, because you are paying for those soft terrain tires. To me when they offer offroad trims, they should have aggressive all terrains or mud, waterproof seats and level stance.
@@TheRamblinDude my 20 Tundra came with Michelin AT 2s....I got Toyota steel rims and had Duratracs put on. I drive those for the late fall to mid spring.
And a certified pre owned Frontier with less than 20k miles is a hell of a deal. They don't keep their resale value like Toyotas, to our benefit as the buyer.
I'd love to see this video without switching drivers. I was looking forward to hearing the comments from the driver as a comparison, but you guys switched out. The driver plays a huge part in doing these runs, so I think that's a little bit of a miss for this test.
This was my first thought when they switched drivers. Then they continued to do so. Fun for them on this outing but it potentially greatly weakens the results. However good video and I felt they gave an honest opinion. Been looking for a new ride for a couple years now. Toyota seems to have went down hill with the newest models in 2024. Nissan seems to be stepping it up a bit. Personally I want the simplest truck I can get my hands on. Pretty sure its gonna be a Nissan for me.
I’ve got a 2012 pro 4x and love it. Running some Toyo AT. Never a second thought when entering what others won’t attempt. Also should mention 125k miles and nothing but oil changes and battery. Solid truck.
Lol “what others won’t attempt” 😂 dude I go places that would swallow a fucking Pro4X and I know this for a fact because my Buddy has a pro4x and I’ve had to rescue him multiple times. Same goes for the Tacomas
Dad/Senior Partner was awesome in this video. Dropped a curse and pulled rank to get out the rain. Must be proud to have two big boys in his image 👍. Great work fellas!
But then thats not comparing the top trims of each truck.... comparing a top trim (pro 4x) with a 2nd tier trim (trd offroad) doesnt make any sense buddy
Nissan has been the greatest thing to happen to small pickups in a long time. Tacoma hasnt had any competition and its made an honestly sub par truck compared to the first and second gens 20 years ago. Nissan is pushing the bar and giving us more options
@@jakestclair5682 i argree, but those a bigger trucks. Those compete with the tundra more than anything. Tacoma is a smaller pickup more aligned with jeep and more recently the ranger, but not many people like the ranger, so the Nissan is their biggest competitor
3rd gen literally uses a lot of the same panel stamps, frame and dimensions as the 2nd gen. Motor was upgraded to a Lexus block with forged bottom end. What exactly makes it subpar vs the 2nd gen?
@@WolfPackM98c nothing honestly, i love the 4.0. Your definitely correct. They dont seem to be as common, and I personally own a 3.4 4runner, so 3rd gen, but same motor as second taco. So im a little biased😂, i got a buddy with a supercharged 2010 and he loves it, it has 230k on it last i talked to him, they are great motors. My only thing is I personally dont like to body style or the interior as much. But thats pure opinion, its based on looks. I like what toyota did with the 4th gens, which are definitely reliable, but compared to 2nd and 3rd or even the 1st gen 22re they arent nearly as good
@@RandomUser2388 Well yeah everything across the board is inferior to the 80’s-90’s Toyota’s. Completely different business model now. But the change came in the mid 2000’s. I just don’t know why people bash the 3rd gen so much when it is so close to the 2nd gen in actual design and materials. If anything there was a significant drop off from the 1st gen and then 2nd-3rd gen are basically identical. 4.0 is a good engine but again I don’t understand the favoritism over the 3.5. It’s the same block and the 2GR was designed at the same time as the 1GR with stronger components for Lexus platform vehicles. It is, literally, an upgraded version of the 1GR. Since 2010, 4.0’s have used the same VVT-i system that was first put on the 2GR.
There was probably slight differences in the test because the Toyota went first. I think to really even things out you would need to make multiple passes in each truck and then have an average to base the overall performance on. It was cool seeing what you did do though.
I was thinking the same thing here. Who hasn't drawn straws to see who gets to go first. The second truck is always going to struggle a little more. My 2019 Frontier Pro4 does a great job AND it was significantly less expensive.
Im a Tacoma owner. I am glad to see Nissan putting out the mid-sized truck again. It doesn't look that bad either. More competition is better for the consumer. I am confused though, the bed stickers say TRD off road, and it has Pro badges...
I see SR5 badges all the time with trd off road 4x4 logo on the side. What i came to believe is the trd off road badge is only placed when bilstein Suspension, yet just misses locking diff, sometimes it will be a give snd take what they will add
I agree the trd off road is different than pro. I’ve got a 21 trd off road with bistein shocks and also the trd logos only say v6 on tailgate I thought and had the trd logo on side
@@criss_vision1225 No, it's just SR5 guys pretending they have the TRDOR. The best thing I can assume on the TRDPRO is it's a test vehicle loaned to the truck king or a TRDOR with a bunch of pro parts put on it. That hood has a decal that is either a copy of the TRDPRO one or one of the non-logo's used on the early test/promo vehicles.
Another great actual review. You guys drive like most people would be out in the back woods, unlike many other reviewers who stop at the slightest bit of mud, you guys hammer through it like any normal person would. That's what people need to see, what does the vehicle really do when you drive it like you really would be in the real world.
For trails, sand and less hardcore offroad I decided to get the Frontier simply because they seem close enough in performance but I liked the Frontier's styling a little better.
I think the better comparison would have been the Tacoma TRD Off Road. Nissan has less trim levels and the TRD PRO is considerably more expensive. Not to mention it should be automatic to automatic. Manuals are very difficult to find in the lower 48. Toyotas auto shifts odd on the road. Great videos love the channel.
Really good review of these two trucks. TRD PRO and a manual isn't the same, but close enough to show the Nissan's capability. I am in the market and the Nissan's comfort will probably be what sways me. I don't care about cost, will never go heavy offroading, have no brand loyalty and will likely keep it so long that resale isn't really a factor. Which truck is better to haul a small dual sport motorcycle around the backroads of America for a retired guy? Probably the Frontier.
Nissans are very underrated here in north america when it comes to the off road game because we never go the patrol. You throw in some Toyota tax and the frontier is a no brainer since you will be able to afford a nismo lift which the trd pro essentially has from the factory.
Well…. The NISMO name Carrie’s a LOT of weight. It’s known as one of the BEST performance lines out there. I like the Taco but a NISMO overland suspension on a 22 Frontier would be miles ahead of the TRD pro. We already have seen this on the last gen frontier. It slaps the shit out of anything Toyota put forward. Love both Trucks. Personal went with the Frontier because it drives more like a truck and has a pretty noticeable amount of power vs the taco. Also, when Nismo parts drop they’ll level the taco lol
Nissan has a history on putting the alternator on the bottom of the engine in some its off road vehicles. That’s a bad decision and I have seen Nissans fail after minor water crossings. Hopefully this truck is different.
@@313bootboy6 awesome. I’ve seen an Xterra and a Frontier have alternator failure on forest roads in Florida on different occasions. Both vehicles had alternators on the bottom of the engine which when submerged the caused alternator failure.
I second that with a 2005 Xterra that had alternator damage after getting stuck in about 3 feet of water once. Managed to get pulled out and drove off, but the alternator died a week later along with the throttle body. Nevertheless, a great truck with a super powerful and fun drivetrain with the 4.0 and a six speed manual.
I like both of these trucks. Can’t really make up my mind. I used to have a 2014 Frontier SV and (probably foolishly) traded it in at 75,000 miles for an SUV. But while I had it, it was the most impressive truck I’ve ever owned. Took it off-road a few times, and even though it had 4WD I literally never needed it on any terrain I took it through, even standing water and 8 inches of snow. It was a tank!
Great video. I just bought a '22 Frontier SV 4x4 and I'm super stoked. The dealer even threw in the bed tent for camping since it was a display truck, definitely going to be taking it into the wilderness :)
Ok I’ve been cross shopping these trucks and that brought me to this channel, but that’s besides the point because holy cow, This channel is amazing. Just some guys really thrashing some stock trucks. Most reviewers take it over a few little stones and nit pick each little thing, while yall throw it around in the mud like most people would. 10/10
I bought a Frontier Pro-4x and love it so far. I figured the Taco would do better off road and you showed that. The shots showing the suspension differences were hard to argue. I would still choose the Frontier just for the simple fact that everyone has a Taco and I wanted something different. Thanks for not stressing about little scrapes and actually pushing the throttle, other channels baby these trucks and wonder why they don't perform.
I'm looking at a Nissan fronteir now..I have a 2006..selling it. Do u tow anything with it.. hiw do u like it still.. I absolutely love the interior they updated them with
@@shawnlewis1356 I've towed my trike with it through the mountains. It did fine with no issues. Payload isn't the best but it's the same with most of the midsize trucks.
I bet the trd off-road would have felt about the same as pro-4x, because those two compete, trd pro is a class above pro-4x. Anyways, pretty cool video guys
Yeah exactly the trd off road is the direct off road trim competitor to the pro4x , not the TRD pro. ..too bad Nissan doesn't have a level above trim for off road. I'm assuming they are just testing what they were given by the manufacturers ..still cool to see Either way still nice video....one of the .best off road testing channels on RUclips!
TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shocks. These 2.5-inch shocks have remote reservoirs in the rear and offer more ground clearance, more travel, and maximum dampening without any fade vs. the Frontier's Bilstein monotubes? The Taco Pro is a desert runner vs. The Frontier being a slow dirt trail truck like the TRD offroad is.
@@edwilson9243 That’s the truth. The only thing is I doubt it’ll be a direct comparison. Only because NISMO performance is overkill lol. Probably need to do a Pro4x overland edition to make a fair competition. If you swap all the NISMO parts in it’s gonna smash the taco.
Have a 2022 Pro 4X. Love to drive dirt roads in the mountains and it does it without breaking a bead of sweat. Replaced the tires with BF Goodrich K02s, 10 ply. Installed a winch and real rock sliders. The only things I wish were different. 1. Remove the pause in the acceleration. It's like the computer needs to think about what you want. 2. Install seal around the tailgate. Tired of bring the dirt roads home in the back of the truck.
With a Frontier, you have to watch your gas foot when off road as the engine delivers more torque. Easier to spin the wheels because of the torque. Once you get used to it, you really like it though. FWIW, the torque has helped me with my Frontier out west, where the mountain roads are MUCH steeper. Can crawl slower w/o worrying about stalling because of the torque. I've had to wait for other people who were struggling in their Tacos, F150's and Rams, and then just walked up the hill with no issues on a mud and ice coated trail. Had to be light on the pedal though.
I’ve been saving my money for a diesel Tacoma available in the USA. It’s stupid that we don’t get one when Chevy has a midsize diesel pickup. I’ve been saving for years expected to get one in 22 but nope.. still waiting.
Love my 2017 it was my first new vehicle and its done everything I need I've pulled alot of trailers with it and gone across the country often with it and I've not had any complaints just paid it off gonna drive it until it blows up
My brother had a 2009 Frontier, he beat the hell out of that truck, canadian winters, 230,000km and he sold it to his buddies who use it still as a shop truck, hauling tires and stuff, still running. tough truck. tough rigs.
13’ Pro-4X with 105k and it’s been a beast ~ towing the bass boat, ripping trails scouting hunting spots, dealing with heavy snow here in Northern Wisconsin, and it smashes the dunes on Lake Michigan and the rough trails on Lake Superior… One small recall at 20k for an exposed wire harness and the annoying 4x4 icon taking forever to shift back to 2-wheel after using 4-low or E-Lock… but it’s not an issue. Both are great trucks and can make lots of great memories. Either will do😎
I personally own a 2018 Tacoma SR5 and with a change of tires I was able to do so much more with it. Hands down one of the best trucks available on the market.
What about a small lift on the frontier to increase angles etc? I have had both and honestly the frontier just feels better .everyone gets a truck and makes it their own anyways so I'm sjre either one will make people happy after some tweaks .
Lift, suspension, tires equals 10 grand minimum if you don’t DYI, also you save on gas with the tacoma and you need that extra hp in the Nissan for the extra 300+ lbs. so idk, both made for f’n around on the mountain for sure. 🏔 win-win IMO
@@STRAIGHTEDGEJAKE i guess it depends on what kind of lift .some go cheap now if you wanted kings,spc ucas,tires,rims,custom leaf springs I'm sure you spend close to ten grand .kings are gonna be about 3500 as it is but you could also do it much cheaper.get some bilsteins,dobinsons etc,aal or longer shackle ,rims,tires I could see it done for 3 grand ish ..my thing is the tacoma I had had issues and 4 dealers disnt care to help .also a plastic type bed was annoying in the wind .i had the rumble strip vibration even after new leafs,shim added,new drums etc any tsbs i found for 2019 that might of fixed mine they refused to look at since mine was a 2020 .even tho it zeema on tacomaworld about 50%of people had the same issues they claimed everything is normal.even if I just let it coast to a stop id get decel vibration.made me worried in few years id the tranny would have issues or if id just always seem rough.i dont wanna buy a new truck and everytime i drive im annoyed or have to wonder "wtf is wrong with this thing" i wanna drive it and daydream about other shit ...im happy with the frontier. No issues,much bwtter ride and it looks like if you did a lift you wouldnt need to worry about cv angles or driveshaft angles as much..have you zeen the frontier carrier bearing? This thing iz beefy!!if you havent gotten under a new frontier go check it out.looks like you do a few inch lift and not have to worry about angles .
@@STRAIGHTEDGEJAKE $10k? A decent lift kit is around $500 and tires around $1500. You prob spend a couple grand at the most. Adding Wheels might be an extra $1500 depends on brand but that's about it
At the price point I would just go with the TRD, I’ve owned a pro-4x and loved it it’s a great truck and I’ve pulled out stuck Tundras, F150’s and other full size trucks with ease. But with pricing being so close you can’t beat Toyotas quality. But to each us own.
My 3rd gen threw rods in cylinders 5 & 6 at 150K like quite a few other folks. Always serviced with toyota and corporate told me to just buy a new truck. Not down with Toyota, buying a new tacoma for over $40k to wheel with is one of the worst decisions you could make. Stupid overpriced for what you’re getting.
What would be really cool is to see the same test with the "TRD 4x4 off-road" because both of the 🚛's would have the same (similar) Bilstein suspension & see if the Toyota bounces around like that Nissan & see if it's the shocks themselves or the actual way that it's tuned from factory 🤷🏻
@@highrootsoriginals2870 Nissan might go out of business you might want to look into that I like the truck also I think the frontier looks good hopefully these new trucks will get some sales going for them but they're not in a good spot financially they've been pieces of shit cars for years especially that Altima 🤷🏻
I am a Taco owner and love the truck as well as do alot of off road with buddies. In the comments below, it is mentioned about the first tracks...first truck through the course. That is true. Whenever we off road the first truck through always has the easier time of it because he isn't following in stirred up mess from all the other vehicles and nor does he go as deep. When 2 vehicles are so close you need to test them on equal course not one after another. the second vehicle will always have a harder time. That's just the law of mud and rocks.
Dead on, brother… When they did the mudding test, the Taco ripped it up and then the Frontier had to cut through that slosh rut it made… First man always has it easiest ~
Nissan has stated that the Pro4-X is meant as a direct competitor to the TRD Off-road trim of the Taco... But great comparison nevertheless! Nissan should make a more capable Off-road Frontier with a suspension lift, better shocks, tires, and approach angles. Maybe a Nismo off-road Frontier?
I was just about to say the direct competitor to the Pro-4x is the TRD-Off Road. A trd off road Tacoma’s suspension would have struggle the same as the pro 4x.
@@Bigwilliestyle322 Not really when you factor in the options. The TRD Pro starts at $45k where as for 45k on the frontier, that’s literally every single option. If it was a base level Pro4x, it would have been $38k
The Frontier looks good. I like the manual transmission in the Taco. I know it can make towing (which I do) and off roading (also do) a little more difficult, but I like the manual.
rev hang, or should I say, emissions standards, ruin modern manuals. Older Toyota manuals were great, new ones would be good if they weren't programmed to force a delayed shift.
@@liveoak7838 What? The clutch and gear lever aren't drive by wire. You can clutch in and switch gears whenever you want, can you not? I drive a '94 Toyota pickup DLX (4x4, 22RE, Xtracab, 5 speed) so maybe I'm a bit detached from contemporary trucks.
@@cbh148 it's the programming that keeps the throttle body open longer and close slower when you let go of the gas pedal. drive by wire with electronic throttle body control is what gives the manufacturer that ability and they have to do it (they say) because of the emissions created if they let the throttle body close immediately like it does on your truck. just google rev hang and you will see. sure it's nice that they still offer manuals, but don't expect it to shift as nice as your 94 pickup. it will force you to delay shifts. you may not notice it if you didn't have an old school manual. there are companies like qrevs www.revhang.altervista.org/ that make modules to fix it for some vehicles.
@@cbh148 Modern manuals have accumulators that are supposed to make them easier for novices to engage/disengage the clutch. For experienced drivers it’s more of an inconvenience. Not a huge deal. I bought some hardline tubing for $20 and bypassed it on my 3rd gen Tacoma
@@WolfPackM98c I did the same thing on my 240sx. Makes bleeding the system easier too. But what the guy commented was that the newer Toyota’s were programmed to force a delayed shift, which makes it sound like less of a mechanical thing and more of an electronic deal, however that could work. Accumulators on the clutch lines have been around since like the 70s.
I've a 2023 taco TRD off road n love it! It has done everything I've put it thru. A friend went for the frontier because of the price difference n the warranty they added which was better than my taco warranty. Time will tell on long-term usage. I've a 1st generation with 600k on it. It has been a great truck n lasted a long time! That's the toyota reputation for you! Thanks for the video!
I think the Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 would have been a more apples to apples comparison. The TRD Pro is more a direct competition to the Chevy ZR2. I think the TRD Pro and ZR2 are the top offroad mid-size trucks in the segment as far as pure ability straight from the factory. Good to see the new Frontier keep up with the Pro. Just imagine how it would do with the Bilstein 6112s in the front and 5165s in the rear....
I own the same Tacoma but a 2020, and it really is a fantastic off road truck. When it comes to anything else though, most other competitors will have it beat. With a tune upgrade, the Toyota becomes much better and more lively to drive on the daily. The Pro Fox suspension really is great, but half the reason they work so well is the designed frame flex that most other manufactures don't have, they use a box frame which is much more rigid off road.
Frontier beats the Tacoma in every important head to head. You name it. Yes including reliability, those C-channel frames in the Tacoma rust and rot, unlike the Frontiers fully boxed frame, which is nuke proof. -Frontier 310HP > Tacoma 278HP -Frontier Torque 281 lb-ft >Tacoma 265 lb ft -Frontier Full Boxed Frame >Tacoma C-Channel Frame -Frontier Disc Brakes > Tacoma Drum Brakes Frontier has a premium interior, ride, transmission, seating, head room, materials/fit & finish, more safety features, better crash test, spray-in bed liner, the list goes on and on…not to mention styling, especially in the Pro-4X. Not to mention with a cheap lift kit and 33’s the Frontier would crush the Tacoma off-road.
Crawl ratio 60:1 fully boxed frame Dana 44 locking rear (pro 4X) Dana front diff, Spicer transfer case, powerful VQ engine, rear disc brakes, bullet proof made in the good ol' USA. Tacoma=33:1 crawl ratio, C frame (with ongoing frame recalls due to corrosion) rear drum brakes, now made in Mexico, reliability declining and Toyota tax.
This is the video I was looking for! Good job, Truck King. Yes the Taco performs better at higher speed, but the Nissan wasn't left behind. For well over $7k in savings when you factor in tax and financing, I'll stick with the Nissan. And if those seats are as good as the "zero gravity" seats I had in my 2015 Pathfinder, the Nissan will be way more comfortable all day long.
@@nonickerson frontier has good resale value, though not quite as good as the toyota...and the new model frontier hasn't even been on the market long enough to determine that.
@@josealvarez2149 my brothers toyotas have been anything but reliable, he owns a mr2 and a 1994 toyota pickup. They both have there fair share of problems...and the 3.0 v6 in those pickups is well known for all sorts of issues. That being said I still think toyota is one of the better auto manufacturers, but not perfect by any means. I have worked in the auto repair industry since 2003 and I can tell you the frontier and tacoma are so similar in construction, that it's really just about what you prefer. I for one find the tacoma uncomfortable with its low seating position and low roof. And I trust the nissan brand because I've owned 3. So I would choose the nissan.
@@shaunoftheguads Dude it’s not even close. The Tacoma is the best reselling vehicle there is. Look at used values, comparable Frontiers aren’t even fetching half the value of a Tacoma. Not only are Tacomas always demanding top market value, but they are hard to get even at that price which is why they appreciated this last year. My ‘17 Tacoma is still worth more than I paid for it new. Dealers are already doing 2K off MSRP for new Frontiers. I agree with you it’s a good truck. Could even be a better one. It will still be worth half as much in a few years.
Great catch on the suspension dynamics and performance. The suspension is probably the number 1 game changer when tackling off road obstacles at a higher speed as you did there in the videos.
But the toyota sucks on regular roads, which is 99% of where people use it. I hated driving a tacoma when I had one for work. Hated it. My old Colorado drives a thousand times nicer.
You have to take into consideration with the Nissan it's suspension hasn't been upgraded from the factory, I'd say the Nissan would take the win with upgraded suspension.
I'm a Toyo fan all day but am happy to see a new frontier..I hope they spend a little more time on suspension dynamics and tuning, ground clearance, shocks, spring rates, sway bar etc..I feel like Nissan does cursory overviews when refreshing their vehicles but they don't actually go balls deep re-engineering new models, due to to their money woes since 2008ish.
I mean look at the skyline tho. That thing is amazing. They have the potential and know how to make a great off-road truck they just don’t. Sure, this thing is nice but it could be a lot better. Where is the front locking diff? Where is the factory lift? A lot of misses on both of these trucks that claim to be “off road” trucks. Almost worth buying an Sr5 Tacoma and putting in the lockers and lift yourself.
My '17 OffRoad Tacoma came with Bilsteims as well and I love it so far. I did however just order a Dobinson 3" MRR suspension package to go with sliders. Tacomas are beast, but I liked the Pro4-X I test drove at the same time.
What a great video! Proper review of the manual tacoma, and i love to hear you guys giggling your heads off as you go through the trail! You guys may have the best job in the world! Great work. Cheers gents!
Frontier has stiffer suspension to tow a little more. I believe they’ve sacrificed handling off road to towing capabilities. Although the frontier is cheaper, tows more and handles pressure much the same as the Tacoma… I would say all and all the frontier wins. Can you do a tug of war between the two trucks? That higher sitting Tacoma will have trouble.
In Texas frontiers are everywhere where I am and dodge trucks I recently bought a 2019 frontier with under 17k miles for about 25k cash and a 4k car trade in he offered 2k but still took the car but I technically still paid 29 but the 4k car was free anyways so to me I only paid 25k
I just spent a few months researching midsize trucks for a daily driver, downsizing from a 3/4 ton diesel crew cab. Basically was targeting the Tacoma, and trying to validate my intuitions. Some comparisons against the Frontier gave Nissan similar truck at a lower price point, but still missing the appearance, reliability and resale value of the Taco. I've read numerous complaints about the Taco engine being underpowered, leading to delays in acceleration, weird shift points in auto trans, and frustrations with cruise control. I did pull the trigger on a 2019 Taco OR lease return, seems pretty much brand new. Accelerator response is great, but the engine doesn't have much power until you get up over 3000 rpm. As a daily driver that likes to use cruise, it's very difficult to work the TSS + cruise + auto with my traffic speed variances. I haven't been off road yet, but wanted to reinforce the Taco power issue unless you gear down so you can work in the torque range above 3000 engine rpms. Thank you for this comparison, and showcasing the Taco suspension and OF capabilities.....it reinforces that I did make the good choice, but still wish Toyota had a different engine with more torque at less engine speed.
It’s not the power of the Tacoma. It’s the gearing. They are geared too high from the factory for fuel economy. Look at Nitro gears, they will explain everything. This coming from a 2021 TRD Off road owner. Look into getting a re-gear.
@@vu7419 yup, I have a 2012 Tacoma with the 4.0 V6 and Auto transmission and my friend has an FJ with the same engine but a manual transmission, he doesn't experience the same issues as me with the auto.
Frontier is what I'd go for, It's a great platform to build to my liking. Plenty of clearance for 285s and no need to re-gear. Can't say the same for the Tacoma.
with the manual transmission there is no hunting for gears. automatic comes with 3.9 gear ratio and needs re gearing and Manual comes with 4.29. I got a 20 trd pro with stick. tuned and it's a blast to drive daily on and off road
@@Slippahjoe That only applies to their CVT transmissions. The trucks have regular automatic transmissions. I'd suggest doing some research before blatantly making assumptions like you just did.
I have a 2019 Tacoma Off Road and I've not been impressed. I have many friends that love it eventhough theirs performs as horrible as mine.....just not loving it. I love your review though, it's the most realistic I've seen EVER
Hahaha. Typical dad. I owned a 16 Tacoma 2x off road and drive a 16 frontier 4.0 for work. Toyota always has way better suspension than Nissan and it still shows here. You pay for what you get hand down. Thanks for the content.
If I got one I would get the taco with the standard and add the Magnusson supercharger. I'd also do after market gearing and air lockers which would also add the central air compressor system. Lastly, I'd go with a nominal 3" lift and finish I off with a set of ko2's.
this week it has been 3 years since my father passed you are the 2nd person that does what you did that expression 13:07 remind me of my father he did that every time a task was to be taken brought a smile to my face thank you, the first time I see this channel already like it kudos from the Dominican republic here the Hilux of Toyota is the flagship pick up to beat there are many mid sizes pick up that don't reach the U.S the Isuzu Dmax is one that give Toyota a run for its money.
i own a pro x and just tested it on my hunting trip and it did great and coming from a tune person it perform wonderful without issues and while people keep choosing tacoma cause of videos reviews while not owing one them selfs and its base on what type of trips you going to be using the truck for not cause manual transmission or how lifted it is ect no hate peoples and good review my man
@@David-or8oh on 4x4 or 4x2 ? Since there’s a difference on all tacos trims the since trd pro is best of off road since you and pro x is 4x2 but like I said it all depends what you need it for since I’m sure you know everything ✌️🤔 since I don’t do much off road or big mountain hill or soo I really don’t need 4x4 and since lots of people don’t even know what 4x4 really is so yes my man sure it would beat it like everyone say Toyota best of the best no hate I know they good reliable but that’s because people really don’t know anything about their own vehicle
@@XxansomexX I drive a 2012 pre runner, I can make it to most places other wouldn’t dare. Having a manual transmission helps out a bunch! My dad has a 4x4 2019 OR and it has amazing off-roading capabilities even tho I keep up with my old bucket! Lol 😂 but yeah I love my 4x2 truck
Another great video guys. I really like both trucks. I had ‘97 Nissan Hardbody I wish I never sold so I’m leaning towards buying a Frontier in a couple of years. Tacomas with a 3 inch lift and bigger tires does look awesome though.
TRD Off Road vs Pro4X would be a better comparison in my opinion; The Off Road has more similar features to the Pro4X. I get going after the highest trim available to compare to each other, but the Pro is a "pro" for a reason.
Is it? I always put the pro and pro4x together because of the full skid package and the selectable locker. I thought the OR was just a mild suspension lift.
Great info, but I will tell you why I bought my 2016 Frontier over the Taco, and it still applies today. For the $7K difference, I can add a lift kit (exceeding both the lift, and suspension capabilities of the Taco) and superior tires, and still keep $3k in my pocket. That's Money left over for a Proper bed cover and rails.
Good call on the suspension differences. The Taco is just way more compliant when the going gets rough. So even if the Frontier had the slightly better tires, the Tacoma could get its tires on the ground and maintain traction. Great vid as always!
@@Pengowirr what are you talking about my guy? 1) The Pro-4X is $37-43k the TRD Pro starts at $45k 2) "First off, let's level set what the Frontier PRO-4X is and what the Frontier is and is not. It is not a "Raptor fighter" or a Tacoma TRD Pro or Chevy Colorado ZR2 competitor. What it is, is Tacoma TRD Off-Road, Ford Ranger FX4, and Chevy Colorado Z71 competitor, leaving Nissan with plenty of headspace if it wants to enter the market with a Nismo package in the future.” - Motor Trend
very good review. The Frontier Pro 4x is more equivalent to a Tacoma TRD offroad not the pro model but I get you are comparing the best offered from both.
I’m pretty sure the Pro4X and TRD Pro are in different categories when it comes to off roading. It’s too bad there wasn’t a TRD Offroad available as I bet they have more comparable suspension and features.
With the money saved by not buying the Tacoma, you could certainly improve the Frontier's suspension and have a more powerful better performing truck for similar money.
Both cool trucks. I feel like ugrading suspension would be much easier to do than adding power. Long time taco fan but also a Nissan fan and the new frontier has my attention.
I own a 2018 Taco.. I will NOT give it up for nothing. all around a great mid-sized truck. appreciate the video guys, I do light off roading but I getting more into it.
I like this team. Nothing feels fake. I work in Africa and the terrain in this video is the closest to my reality. I am more likely to follow your recommendations.
Great video guys! I have a 2021 Nissan Frontier and I like how honest you guys are and FAIR. So many reviews are bias toward Tacos and it’s just annoying. I like you guys so much so, I’m going to like, subscribe, and buy some merchandise!
See our latest off-road comparison (Land Rover Defender vs Ford Bronco) right here! - ruclips.net/video/BxQP8h9DDM4/видео.html
You keep your weak sauced Taco with it’s shifty transmission. And I’ll take the Fronty with the more powerful (3.8L V6) powertrain and very capable (9spd trans) drivetrain along with its 5 year warranty.
If you picked the Tacoma should you pick the trd off road or trd pro?
I enjoyed watching how much fun you guys had doing this video. Very informative.
I like that you guys actually drive these trucks like most people would. Some reviewers just crawl around, sweating the littlest scrapes. You guys bomb through the mud laughing off the hits.
expert sitters
When I bought my 2021 TRD off-road Tacoma and brought it off-road tons of people were complaining because it was brand new. What’s the point of buying one if you don’t use it is what I say.
Actually most people don't drive like this. They spend 99% of their time on pavement.
@@sucha603boy if its brand brand new you might wanna break the engine in first.
@@sucha603boy get a lift kit if you plan on abusing it. Keep the undercarriage in good shape.
Nissan is gonna win the price battle every time so for something that can “keep up” with the Tacoma I’d call that a win for Frontier
True and most people don’t drive off road.
True, if I had the money I'd go for the Tacoma but to save thousands on the Frontier for it to do the same job i'm taking the Frontier. Lets just hope the Frontier doesn't need a lot of maintanence.
@@Daemien21 yeah but the frontier will probably catch up in $$$$ in terms of reliability
I’d rather a 2 wheel drive with posi then that Nissan. Nissans aren’t as reliable or even close to being as durable. Good luck 👍
@@sae1er clearly haven’t seen the the last frontier which 90% of the truck is based. Just new a body, interior, suspension geometry. We have 13 2010’s on our job site still going with 230k+ miles and nothing but annual oil changes, batteries and brakes pads. 1 set of front rotors each and obviously tires. We’ve lost 2 Silverado‘s and 1 F150 I’ll before they hit 160k……we almost replaced them before production ended on the D40 to keep op costs down especially since Nissan was selling SV 4wd for 22k .
For the price difference, the frontier would be my choice. With the extra money you saved, you could upgrade the suspension and tires and have a far superior vehicle
1,000 dollars difference tho
@@remycris2108 in the U.S, but in Canada that's a big difference
@@remycris2108 ? I counted $7232. plus 13% tax ($940) = $8172 CDN difference! Lots of play money. But, I still bought the '21 Taco...
I keep wondering what a set of KO2's on the Pro4X could do, so yeah, cheaper truck with a bit of room to upgrade could be a nice pathway to a nice piece of kit without having to pay the Toyota tax.
In the NH overland challenge, teams with Toyota’s had zero broken parts, the one team with Nissan’s had broken CV axles. There were a lot more Toyota trucks in the field. It doesn’t matter how much you “upgrade” there is no way Nissan is more superior platform to a Toyota. Sorry dude.
Bought a 2023 Frontier Pro4x and have zero regrets. Awesome truck!
Thank you I just got one to and never heard anything bad about the newer ones only the cars with the shit cvt but all cars with cvt are also shit
Same here 23 prò 4x glacier white. I love it
Good to hear! 2 months and 1k into a brand new 2023 pro 4x Nismo.
You won’t get the the same resale value as Tacoma. But a good choice
@@All-Miles-Matter My glacier white 4xpro is coming next week - can't wait
Hello from Northern Wisconsin 🌲 I’ve got a 13’ Pro 4X with a 105k and I’ve had that thing everywhere… never failed me. In 4-low I can blast through 2-3ft of snow or mud without any issue, and if I do get stuck, E-lock will crawl me out… but most of the trail driving and snow driving is done in 4-Hi. My buddy is a Nissan tech so he does all the maintenance for a great price… all synthetic fluids changes done liberally. Only issue is gas mileage, especially if 4WD is used often… and the 4x4 icon doesn’t disengage immediately after using 4-low and E-lock (no idea why) But she’s been golden from Montana to Maine 🙏🏻 🇺🇸
First thing you would have to do after buying either one of one of those trucks is definitely replace those street tires for sure
That's why sometimes is better to buy a base trim. Might as well put some real stret tires, because you are paying for those soft terrain tires. To me when they offer offroad trims, they should have aggressive all terrains or mud, waterproof seats and level stance.
I have a Tundra TRD Pro and that is the first thing I did. Put on oversized Cooper Discover STT Pro mud tires. They also work really well in the snow.
@@TheRamblinDude my 20 Tundra came with Michelin AT 2s....I got Toyota steel rims and had Duratracs put on. I drive those for the late fall to mid spring.
Nito ridge grapplers 👍
@@TheRamblinDude Just put some STT pros on my lifted 2nd gen tacoma. They are beasts of tires. How loud is it on the highway 1-10?
Your dad is the best. Only reason I watch. He knows more about trucks than most people aquire in their whole life.
Frontier offers so much more for the money. Pro4x starts at 37k, while trd pro starts at 45k by the way
And a certified pre owned Frontier with less than 20k miles is a hell of a deal. They don't keep their resale value like Toyotas, to our benefit as the buyer.
I'd love to see this video without switching drivers. I was looking forward to hearing the comments from the driver as a comparison, but you guys switched out. The driver plays a huge part in doing these runs, so I think that's a little bit of a miss for this test.
Was thinking the same.
Yes. Major flaw. Basic experiment design tells you to eliminate variables where you can, not add them.
Agree I think both trucks would have been even with same driver
This was my first thought when they switched drivers. Then they continued to do so. Fun for them on this outing but it potentially greatly weakens the results. However good video and I felt they gave an honest opinion. Been looking for a new ride for a couple years now. Toyota seems to have went down hill with the newest models in 2024. Nissan seems to be stepping it up a bit. Personally I want the simplest truck I can get my hands on. Pretty sure its gonna be a Nissan for me.
I’ve got a 2012 pro 4x and love it. Running some Toyo AT. Never a second thought when entering what others won’t attempt. Also should mention 125k miles and nothing but oil changes and battery. Solid truck.
I love my taco , but that 4x is a ultimate ride
Lol “what others won’t attempt” 😂 dude I go places that would swallow a fucking Pro4X and I know this for a fact because my Buddy has a pro4x and I’ve had to rescue him multiple times. Same goes for the Tacomas
@@BoostedYote cool story bro.
@@BoostedYote XJ?
You got a lift kit on it? Can’t find good ones for the pro 4x
Dad/Senior Partner was awesome in this video. Dropped a curse and pulled rank to get out the rain. Must be proud to have two big boys in his image 👍. Great work fellas!
Thanks for that. Blessed to be able to work with my sons.
@@TruckKing put the big guy on a diet
@@TruckKing Not to get to heavy, but cherish these moments. I lost my dad recently.. don’t take it for granted.
TRD Pro is not an equal competitor to the Pro4x. Do the same test with the TRD offroad with the "same" Bilstein shocks as the Pro4x.
But then thats not comparing the top trims of each truck.... comparing a top trim (pro 4x) with a 2nd tier trim (trd offroad) doesnt make any sense buddy
Nissan has been the greatest thing to happen to small pickups in a long time. Tacoma hasnt had any competition and its made an honestly sub par truck compared to the first and second gens 20 years ago. Nissan is pushing the bar and giving us more options
Tacoma hasn't had any competition ??????????? Maybe you are right, the Colorado ZR2 is in a class by itself. The reason I bough one.
@@jakestclair5682 i argree, but those a bigger trucks. Those compete with the tundra more than anything. Tacoma is a smaller pickup more aligned with jeep and more recently the ranger, but not many people like the ranger, so the Nissan is their biggest competitor
3rd gen literally uses a lot of the same panel stamps, frame and dimensions as the 2nd gen. Motor was upgraded to a Lexus block with forged bottom end. What exactly makes it subpar vs the 2nd gen?
@@WolfPackM98c nothing honestly, i love the 4.0. Your definitely correct. They dont seem to be as common, and I personally own a 3.4 4runner, so 3rd gen, but same motor as second taco. So im a little biased😂, i got a buddy with a supercharged 2010 and he loves it, it has 230k on it last i talked to him, they are great motors. My only thing is I personally dont like to body style or the interior as much. But thats pure opinion, its based on looks. I like what toyota did with the 4th gens, which are definitely reliable, but compared to 2nd and 3rd or even the 1st gen 22re they arent nearly as good
@@RandomUser2388 Well yeah everything across the board is inferior to the 80’s-90’s Toyota’s. Completely different business model now. But the change came in the mid 2000’s.
I just don’t know why people bash the 3rd gen so much when it is so close to the 2nd gen in actual design and materials. If anything there was a significant drop off from the 1st gen and then 2nd-3rd gen are basically identical.
4.0 is a good engine but again I don’t understand the favoritism over the 3.5. It’s the same block and the 2GR was designed at the same time as the 1GR with stronger components for Lexus platform vehicles. It is, literally, an upgraded version of the 1GR. Since 2010, 4.0’s have used the same VVT-i system that was first put on the 2GR.
Finally some real off road videos! Tired of other people driving in their backyard and calling it off road lol
There was probably slight differences in the test because the Toyota went first. I think to really even things out you would need to make multiple passes in each truck and then have an average to base the overall performance on. It was cool seeing what you did do though.
Yep even 4wheeling my 86 Toyota pickup in the mud each pass gets slicker and more difficult.
I was thinking the same thing here. Who hasn't drawn straws to see who gets to go first. The second truck is always going to struggle a little more. My 2019 Frontier Pro4 does a great job AND it was significantly less expensive.
Im a Tacoma owner. I am glad to see Nissan putting out the mid-sized truck again. It doesn't look that bad either. More competition is better for the consumer.
I am confused though, the bed stickers say TRD off road, and it has Pro badges...
I see SR5 badges all the time with trd off road 4x4 logo on the side. What i came to believe is the trd off road badge is only placed when bilstein Suspension, yet just misses locking diff, sometimes it will be a give snd take what they will add
I agree the trd off road is different than pro. I’ve got a 21 trd off road with bistein shocks and also the trd logos only say v6 on tailgate I thought and had the trd logo on side
The Pro is a souped up TRD Off-Road 4x4, with a few upgrades like the fox shox
@@criss_vision1225 No, it's just SR5 guys pretending they have the TRDOR.
The best thing I can assume on the TRDPRO is it's a test vehicle loaned to the truck king or a TRDOR with a bunch of pro parts put on it. That hood has a decal that is either a copy of the TRDPRO one or one of the non-logo's used on the early test/promo vehicles.
It's definitely a TRD Pro but with the added Off Road badges for some reason.
Another great actual review. You guys drive like most people would be out in the back woods, unlike many other reviewers who stop at the slightest bit of mud, you guys hammer through it like any normal person would. That's what people need to see, what does the vehicle really do when you drive it like you really would be in the real world.
For trails, sand and less hardcore offroad I decided to get the Frontier simply because they seem close enough in performance but I liked the Frontier's styling a little better.
and price 🤣
I think the better comparison would have been the Tacoma TRD Off Road. Nissan has less trim levels and the TRD PRO is considerably more expensive. Not to mention it should be automatic to automatic. Manuals are very difficult to find in the lower 48. Toyotas auto shifts odd on the road. Great videos love the channel.
Really good review of these two trucks. TRD PRO and a manual isn't the same, but close enough to show the Nissan's capability. I am in the market and the Nissan's comfort will probably be what sways me. I don't care about cost, will never go heavy offroading, have no brand loyalty and will likely keep it so long that resale isn't really a factor. Which truck is better to haul a small dual sport motorcycle around the backroads of America for a retired guy? Probably the Frontier.
I just got my new Nissan pro 4X it’s to nice to off road not with 2024 frontier ride is nice
This channel is THE BEST truck review channel. BY FAR
You could maybe even say it's the king of truck review channels?
Tfl
Nissans are very underrated here in north america when it comes to the off road game because we never go the patrol. You throw in some Toyota tax and the frontier is a no brainer since you will be able to afford a nismo lift which the trd pro essentially has from the factory.
Well…. The NISMO name Carrie’s a LOT of weight. It’s known as one of the BEST performance lines out there. I like the Taco but a NISMO overland suspension on a 22 Frontier would be miles ahead of the TRD pro. We already have seen this on the last gen frontier. It slaps the shit out of anything Toyota put forward. Love both Trucks. Personal went with the Frontier because it drives more like a truck and has a pretty noticeable amount of power vs the taco. Also, when Nismo parts drop they’ll level the taco lol
Nissan has a history on putting the alternator on the bottom of the engine in some its off road vehicles. That’s a bad decision and I have seen Nissans fail after minor water crossings. Hopefully this truck is different.
@@thatdonnyguy got a 19 Frontier SL. Couple months ago I went through several of those awesome Detroit floods we have every summer with no issues.
@@313bootboy6 awesome. I’ve seen an Xterra and a Frontier have alternator failure on forest roads in Florida on different occasions. Both vehicles had alternators on the bottom of the engine which when submerged the caused alternator failure.
I second that with a 2005 Xterra that had alternator damage after getting stuck in about 3 feet of water once. Managed to get pulled out and drove off, but the alternator died a week later along with the throttle body. Nevertheless, a great truck with a super powerful and fun drivetrain with the 4.0 and a six speed manual.
Just sitting down to breakfast and a new truck King off-road comparison video?? What a great start to the day!
Morning!
I like both of these trucks. Can’t really make up my mind. I used to have a 2014 Frontier SV and (probably foolishly) traded it in at 75,000 miles for an SUV. But while I had it, it was the most impressive truck I’ve ever owned. Took it off-road a few times, and even though it had 4WD I literally never needed it on any terrain I took it through, even standing water and 8 inches of snow. It was a tank!
I have loved Tacoma’s for several years, but I just bought a 2025 Nissan frontier Pro 4X and I’m glad I did. Highly recommended.
I bought the 2022 Nissan. Comfort, and power, plus I just liked the feel off road where I went.
Great video. I just bought a '22 Frontier SV 4x4 and I'm super stoked. The dealer even threw in the bed tent for camping since it was a display truck, definitely going to be taking it into the wilderness :)
Dealer Mark up?
@@jrladislao Nope paid MSRP
@@tomh507 nice. I was looking at the frontier but couldn’t wait for it to come out so I got something else.
Get lost!.... seriously have fun getting lost
luckyyyy. I have an older frontier but looking for a 4x4
Outstanding non biased review. I like both trucks but if I ever replace my 02 Frontier, it’ll be another Frontier 😊
Love my .2024 pro 4x to nice to off road the ride I love love the stirring
Ok I’ve been cross shopping these trucks and that brought me to this channel, but that’s besides the point because holy cow, This channel is amazing. Just some guys really thrashing some stock trucks. Most reviewers take it over a few little stones and nit pick each little thing, while yall throw it around in the mud like most people would. 10/10
Welcome aboard!
I bought a Frontier Pro-4x and love it so far. I figured the Taco would do better off road and you showed that. The shots showing the suspension differences were hard to argue. I would still choose the Frontier just for the simple fact that everyone has a Taco and I wanted something different.
Thanks for not stressing about little scrapes and actually pushing the throttle, other channels baby these trucks and wonder why they don't perform.
I'm looking at a Nissan fronteir now..I have a 2006..selling it. Do u tow anything with it.. hiw do u like it still.. I absolutely love the interior they updated them with
@@shawnlewis1356 I've towed my trike with it through the mountains. It did fine with no issues. Payload isn't the best but it's the same with most of the midsize trucks.
I bet the trd off-road would have felt about the same as pro-4x, because those two compete, trd pro is a class above pro-4x. Anyways, pretty cool video guys
Yeah exactly the trd off road is the direct off road trim competitor to the pro4x , not the TRD pro. ..too bad Nissan doesn't have a level above trim for off road.
I'm assuming they are just testing what they were given by the manufacturers ..still cool to see
Either way still nice video....one of the .best off road testing channels on RUclips!
I think a Nissan with a Nismo PCG to compete direct with the TRD PRO IS coming
TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shocks. These 2.5-inch shocks have remote reservoirs in the rear and offer more ground clearance, more travel, and maximum dampening without any fade vs. the Frontier's Bilstein monotubes? The Taco Pro is a desert runner vs. The Frontier being a slow dirt trail truck like the TRD offroad is.
the bed stickers say TRD off road, and it has Pro badges.
@@edwilson9243 That’s the truth. The only thing is I doubt it’ll be a direct comparison. Only because NISMO performance is overkill lol. Probably need to do a Pro4x overland edition to make a fair competition. If you swap all the NISMO parts in it’s gonna smash the taco.
Toyota figured this out over 30 years ago. That’s why they dominate today.
Love the family dynamics of this channel. Great seeing dad behind the wheel taking on the left hook.
Thanks 👍 It was fun - gotta pull that one stump though - scared the **** out of me.
@@TruckKing 😂
Have a 2022 Pro 4X. Love to drive dirt roads in the mountains and it does it without breaking a bead of sweat. Replaced the tires with BF Goodrich K02s, 10 ply. Installed a winch and real rock sliders. The only things I wish were different. 1. Remove the pause in the acceleration. It's like the computer needs to think about what you want. 2. Install seal around the tailgate. Tired of bring the dirt roads home in the back of the truck.
With a Frontier, you have to watch your gas foot when off road as the engine delivers more torque. Easier to spin the wheels because of the torque. Once you get used to it, you really like it though. FWIW, the torque has helped me with my Frontier out west, where the mountain roads are MUCH steeper. Can crawl slower w/o worrying about stalling because of the torque. I've had to wait for other people who were struggling in their Tacos, F150's and Rams, and then just walked up the hill with no issues on a mud and ice coated trail. Had to be light on the pedal though.
I am Taco owner and I really welcome new midsize Nissan pick up! I hope there is more competitions in Mid size trucks.
I’ve been saving my money for a diesel Tacoma available in the USA. It’s stupid that we don’t get one when Chevy has a midsize diesel pickup. I’ve been saving for years expected to get one in 22 but nope.. still waiting.
I’m still in love with the old frontier 4.0 V6 🤔
Me too since I own a 2018 with 14,800 miles.
Love my 2017 it was my first new vehicle and its done everything I need I've pulled alot of trailers with it and gone across the country often with it and I've not had any complaints just paid it off gonna drive it until it blows up
My brother had a 2009 Frontier, he beat the hell out of that truck, canadian winters, 230,000km and he sold it to his buddies who use it still as a shop truck, hauling tires and stuff, still running. tough truck. tough rigs.
@@NYstranger74 dammmmmm
13’ Pro-4X with 105k and it’s been a beast ~ towing the bass boat, ripping trails scouting hunting spots, dealing with heavy snow here in Northern Wisconsin, and it smashes the dunes on Lake Michigan and the rough trails on Lake Superior… One small recall at 20k for an exposed wire harness and the annoying 4x4 icon taking forever to shift back to 2-wheel after using 4-low or E-Lock… but it’s not an issue. Both are great trucks and can make lots of great memories. Either will do😎
good luck finding a TRD Pro for that price in the USA!!!
So basically the truck that cost $15,000 more than the other truck won…
I personally own a 2018 Tacoma SR5 and with a change of tires I was able to do so much more with it. Hands down one of the best trucks available on the market.
You guys know how to really properly test these trucks. Keep up the great work.
What about a small lift on the frontier to increase angles etc? I have had both and honestly the frontier just feels better .everyone gets a truck and makes it their own anyways so I'm sjre either one will make people happy after some tweaks .
Lift, suspension, tires equals 10 grand minimum if you don’t DYI, also you save on gas with the tacoma and you need that extra hp in the Nissan for the extra 300+ lbs. so idk, both made for f’n around on the mountain for sure. 🏔 win-win IMO
Definitely don't need 10k to change tires and add a lift, lol. I think the PRO-4X takes it. Only thing I think the TRD has better is the FOX shocks
@@STRAIGHTEDGEJAKE i guess it depends on what kind of lift .some go cheap now if you wanted kings,spc ucas,tires,rims,custom leaf springs I'm sure you spend close to ten grand .kings are gonna be about 3500 as it is but you could also do it much cheaper.get some bilsteins,dobinsons etc,aal or longer shackle ,rims,tires I could see it done for 3 grand ish ..my thing is the tacoma I had had issues and 4 dealers disnt care to help .also a plastic type bed was annoying in the wind .i had the rumble strip vibration even after new leafs,shim added,new drums etc any tsbs i found for 2019 that might of fixed mine they refused to look at since mine was a 2020 .even tho it zeema on tacomaworld about 50%of people had the same issues they claimed everything is normal.even if I just let it coast to a stop id get decel vibration.made me worried in few years id the tranny would have issues or if id just always seem rough.i dont wanna buy a new truck and everytime i drive im annoyed or have to wonder "wtf is wrong with this thing" i wanna drive it and daydream about other shit ...im happy with the frontier. No issues,much bwtter ride and it looks like if you did a lift you wouldnt need to worry about cv angles or driveshaft angles as much..have you zeen the frontier carrier bearing? This thing iz beefy!!if you havent gotten under a new frontier go check it out.looks like you do a few inch lift and not have to worry about angles .
@@STRAIGHTEDGEJAKE $10k? A decent lift kit is around $500 and tires around $1500. You prob spend a couple grand at the most. Adding Wheels might be an extra $1500 depends on brand but that's about it
@@peyten3237 I know, like $10k, those must be Luis vitton Rims and lift kit
The 6spd manual for the win. And, as an added benefit 90% of the population couldn’t steal it.
USA*
At the price point I would just go with the TRD, I’ve owned a pro-4x and loved it it’s a great truck and I’ve pulled out stuck Tundras, F150’s and other full size trucks with ease. But with pricing being so close you can’t beat Toyotas quality. But to each us own.
@J H you can buy the electronic device that plugs into the gas pedal that gets rid of throttle lag.
My 3rd gen threw rods in cylinders 5 & 6 at 150K like quite a few other folks. Always serviced with toyota and corporate told me to just buy a new truck. Not down with Toyota, buying a new tacoma for over $40k to wheel with is one of the worst decisions you could make. Stupid overpriced for what you’re getting.
What would be really cool is to see the same test with the "TRD 4x4 off-road" because both of the 🚛's would have the same (similar) Bilstein suspension & see if the Toyota bounces around like that Nissan & see if it's the shocks themselves or the actual way that it's tuned from factory 🤷🏻
Totally agree! Not a fair comparison!
That is the TRD off road. It's says it on the side. Plus you can tell it's definitely not the sport.
I traded my 21 Tacoma for the new frontier.. Nissan did a hell of a job. I wish I would of switched sooner
@@highrootsoriginals2870 Nissan might go out of business you might want to look into that I like the truck also I think the frontier looks good hopefully these new trucks will get some sales going for them but they're not in a good spot financially they've been pieces of shit cars for years especially that Altima 🤷🏻
@@Dontgivein it’s a TRD Pro not the TRD Off-road. It’s stated in the video, it’s badged, and you can see Pro features on the vehicle.
I am a Taco owner and love the truck as well as do alot of off road with buddies. In the comments below, it is mentioned about the first tracks...first truck through the course. That is true. Whenever we off road the first truck through always has the easier time of it because he isn't following in stirred up mess from all the other vehicles and nor does he go as deep. When 2 vehicles are so close you need to test them on equal course not one after another. the second vehicle will always have a harder time. That's just the law of mud and rocks.
THANK YOU!!!!
Dead on, brother… When they did the mudding test, the Taco ripped it up and then the Frontier had to cut through that slosh rut it made… First man always has it easiest ~
Nissan has stated that the Pro4-X is meant as a direct competitor to the TRD Off-road trim of the Taco... But great comparison nevertheless! Nissan should make a more capable Off-road Frontier with a suspension lift, better shocks, tires, and approach angles. Maybe a Nismo off-road Frontier?
I was just about to say the direct competitor to the Pro-4x is the TRD-Off Road. A trd off road Tacoma’s suspension would have struggle the same as the pro 4x.
Seems like they did a pretty good job with the bronco but Man the price tag!😬
@@mattwilcox8134 agreed, but prices were spot on competitive
@@Bigwilliestyle322 Not really when you factor in the options. The TRD Pro starts at $45k where as for 45k on the frontier, that’s literally every single option. If it was a base level Pro4x, it would have been $38k
@@mattwilcox8134 I’ll trust your homework internet stranger! Fair enough
The video the people have been asking for! Best review channel on youtube. Just wish y'all could so some different trails time to time!
Wouldn't even blink... TRD Pro. Performance and resale value. Period.
Only one swear word in 4wheel back-roads is truly making a statement! 🤠👌
The Frontier looks good. I like the manual transmission in the Taco. I know it can make towing (which I do) and off roading (also do) a little more difficult, but I like the manual.
rev hang, or should I say, emissions standards, ruin modern manuals. Older Toyota manuals were great, new ones would be good if they weren't programmed to force a delayed shift.
@@liveoak7838 What? The clutch and gear lever aren't drive by wire. You can clutch in and switch gears whenever you want, can you not? I drive a '94 Toyota pickup DLX (4x4, 22RE, Xtracab, 5 speed) so maybe I'm a bit detached from contemporary trucks.
@@cbh148 it's the programming that keeps the throttle body open longer and close slower when you let go of the gas pedal. drive by wire with electronic throttle body control is what gives the manufacturer that ability and they have to do it (they say) because of the emissions created if they let the throttle body close immediately like it does on your truck. just google rev hang and you will see. sure it's nice that they still offer manuals, but don't expect it to shift as nice as your 94 pickup. it will force you to delay shifts. you may not notice it if you didn't have an old school manual. there are companies like qrevs www.revhang.altervista.org/
that make modules to fix it for some vehicles.
@@cbh148 Modern manuals have accumulators that are supposed to make them easier for novices to engage/disengage the clutch. For experienced drivers it’s more of an inconvenience.
Not a huge deal. I bought some hardline tubing for $20 and bypassed it on my 3rd gen Tacoma
@@WolfPackM98c I did the same thing on my 240sx. Makes bleeding the system easier too. But what the guy commented was that the newer Toyota’s were programmed to force a delayed shift, which makes it sound like less of a mechanical thing and more of an electronic deal, however that could work. Accumulators on the clutch lines have been around since like the 70s.
I would buy a new Xterra if Nissan ever makes one
same... it would probably be fugly and look like a station wagon.... who knows maybe they could come up with a pleasing design....
For the $10k you save on the Nissan, you could put a really nice suspension wheels and tires on
Better save that 10k for maintenance.
I've a 2023 taco TRD off road n love it! It has done everything I've put it thru. A friend went for the frontier because of the price difference n the warranty they added which was better than my taco warranty. Time will tell on long-term usage. I've a 1st generation with 600k on it. It has been a great truck n lasted a long time! That's the toyota reputation for you! Thanks for the video!
Note I did upgrade the tires though
Great off road review! I agree that the Toyota shines off road, but the Nissan wins for everyday street driving.
I think the Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 would have been a more apples to apples comparison. The TRD Pro is more a direct competition to the Chevy ZR2. I think the TRD Pro and ZR2 are the top offroad mid-size trucks in the segment as far as pure ability straight from the factory. Good to see the new Frontier keep up with the Pro. Just imagine how it would do with the Bilstein 6112s in the front and 5165s in the rear....
ZR2 eat tacos for breakfast
@@elbroncodelasierra2903 ZR2 stands for ZeRo2es, or cerotes. Taco sh*ts ZeRo2es before breakfast 🤣
@@erod6468 actually most Tacoma driver are cerotes/ Central Americans
One of the main reasons I don’t drive nothing related with Toyota
TRD Pro manual... I'm in love.
I own the same Tacoma but a 2020, and it really is a fantastic off road truck. When it comes to anything else though, most other competitors will have it beat. With a tune upgrade, the Toyota becomes much better and more lively to drive on the daily. The Pro Fox suspension really is great, but half the reason they work so well is the designed frame flex that most other manufactures don't have, they use a box frame which is much more rigid off road.
I have a 2018 trd sport what do you recommend tuning wise i hate the lag
@@Skatedagreat88 JV tune
OTT is the the best tune 👌
@@Skatedagreat88 Yes Tyler is right, the latest OTT tune provides the best feel for most people.
Frame flex is exactly what you don't want in a truck. For towing or off-roading
Frontier beats the Tacoma in every important head to head. You name it. Yes including reliability, those C-channel frames in the Tacoma rust and rot, unlike the Frontiers fully boxed frame, which is nuke proof.
-Frontier 310HP > Tacoma 278HP
-Frontier Torque 281 lb-ft >Tacoma 265 lb ft
-Frontier Full Boxed Frame >Tacoma C-Channel Frame
-Frontier Disc Brakes > Tacoma Drum Brakes
Frontier has a premium interior, ride, transmission, seating, head room, materials/fit & finish, more safety features, better crash test, spray-in bed liner, the list goes on and on…not to mention styling, especially in the Pro-4X.
Not to mention with a cheap lift kit and 33’s the Frontier would crush the Tacoma off-road.
Crawl ratio 60:1 fully boxed frame Dana 44 locking rear (pro 4X) Dana front diff, Spicer transfer case, powerful VQ engine, rear disc brakes, bullet proof made in the good ol' USA. Tacoma=33:1 crawl ratio, C frame (with ongoing frame recalls due to corrosion) rear drum brakes, now made in Mexico, reliability declining and Toyota tax.
This is the video I was looking for! Good job, Truck King. Yes the Taco performs better at higher speed, but the Nissan wasn't left behind. For well over $7k in savings when you factor in tax and financing, I'll stick with the Nissan. And if those seats are as good as the "zero gravity" seats I had in my 2015 Pathfinder, the Nissan will be way more comfortable all day long.
What you save in initial msrp you'll lose on resale with the Nissan unfortunately
@@nonickerson frontier has good resale value, though not quite as good as the toyota...and the new model frontier hasn't even been on the market long enough to determine that.
Toyota for the most part is more reliable then nissan
@@josealvarez2149 my brothers toyotas have been anything but reliable, he owns a mr2 and a 1994 toyota pickup. They both have there fair share of problems...and the 3.0 v6 in those pickups is well known for all sorts of issues. That being said I still think toyota is one of the better auto manufacturers, but not perfect by any means. I have worked in the auto repair industry since 2003 and I can tell you the frontier and tacoma are so similar in construction, that it's really just about what you prefer. I for one find the tacoma uncomfortable with its low seating position and low roof. And I trust the nissan brand because I've owned 3. So I would choose the nissan.
@@shaunoftheguads Dude it’s not even close. The Tacoma is the best reselling vehicle there is. Look at used values, comparable Frontiers aren’t even fetching half the value of a Tacoma. Not only are Tacomas always demanding top market value, but they are hard to get even at that price which is why they appreciated this last year. My ‘17 Tacoma is still worth more than I paid for it new. Dealers are already doing 2K off MSRP for new Frontiers.
I agree with you it’s a good truck. Could even be a better one. It will still be worth half as much in a few years.
Finally a good comparison video. You all did a great job comparing them and your opinions are appreciated. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
Great job fellas… way to flex those shocks 💪🏼
Great catch on the suspension dynamics and performance. The suspension is probably the number 1 game changer when tackling off road obstacles at a higher speed as you did there in the videos.
But the toyota sucks on regular roads, which is 99% of where people use it. I hated driving a tacoma when I had one for work. Hated it. My old Colorado drives a thousand times nicer.
Your video helped me make up my mind on which truck I will get it's a Nissan for me
You have to take into consideration with the Nissan it's suspension hasn't been upgraded from the factory, I'd say the Nissan would take the win with upgraded suspension.
I'm a Toyo fan all day but am happy to see a new frontier..I hope they spend a little more time on suspension dynamics and tuning, ground clearance, shocks, spring rates, sway bar etc..I feel like Nissan does cursory overviews when refreshing their vehicles but they don't actually go balls deep re-engineering new models, due to to their money woes since 2008ish.
I mean look at the skyline tho. That thing is amazing. They have the potential and know how to make a great off-road truck they just don’t. Sure, this thing is nice but it could be a lot better. Where is the front locking diff? Where is the factory lift? A lot of misses on both of these trucks that claim to be “off road” trucks. Almost worth buying an Sr5 Tacoma and putting in the lockers and lift yourself.
The little bit of extra power on the Pro4x is nice off road.
That bilstein suspension is essential what comes on the trd off road... that would probably have made this a more fair comparison
My '17 OffRoad Tacoma came with Bilsteims as well and I love it so far. I did however just order a Dobinson 3" MRR suspension package to go with sliders. Tacomas are beast, but I liked the Pro4-X I test drove at the same time.
What a great video! Proper review of the manual tacoma, and i love to hear you guys giggling your heads off as you go through the trail! You guys may have the best job in the world! Great work. Cheers gents!
Frontier has stiffer suspension to tow a little more. I believe they’ve sacrificed handling off road to towing capabilities. Although the frontier is cheaper, tows more and handles pressure much the same as the Tacoma… I would say all and all the frontier wins. Can you do a tug of war between the two trucks? That higher sitting Tacoma will have trouble.
What’s gonna be worth more in 6 years and have costed less to own?
@@noobgusta7030 Nissan, lmfao Toyota is famous for rust buddy ol pal. Frames rust out, again what will be worth more in 7 years and cost less to own??
@@noobgusta7030 Neither.
Love the Frontier! Finally something different than Taco on the road. Good review!
Ranger, Colorado, Gladiator- "Am I a joke to you" 😑
Canyon 😢
In Texas frontiers are everywhere where I am and dodge trucks I recently bought a 2019 frontier with under 17k miles for about 25k cash and a 4k car trade in he offered 2k but still took the car but I technically still paid 29 but the 4k car was free anyways so to me I only paid 25k
It's the sv model
I just spent a few months researching midsize trucks for a daily driver, downsizing from a 3/4 ton diesel crew cab. Basically was targeting the Tacoma, and trying to validate my intuitions. Some comparisons against the Frontier gave Nissan similar truck at a lower price point, but still missing the appearance, reliability and resale value of the Taco. I've read numerous complaints about the Taco engine being underpowered, leading to delays in acceleration, weird shift points in auto trans, and frustrations with cruise control. I did pull the trigger on a 2019 Taco OR lease return, seems pretty much brand new. Accelerator response is great, but the engine doesn't have much power until you get up over 3000 rpm. As a daily driver that likes to use cruise, it's very difficult to work the TSS + cruise + auto with my traffic speed variances. I haven't been off road yet, but wanted to reinforce the Taco power issue unless you gear down so you can work in the torque range above 3000 engine rpms. Thank you for this comparison, and showcasing the Taco suspension and OF capabilities.....it reinforces that I did make the good choice, but still wish Toyota had a different engine with more torque at less engine speed.
It’s not the power of the Tacoma. It’s the gearing. They are geared too high from the factory for fuel economy. Look at Nitro gears, they will explain everything. This coming from a 2021 TRD Off road owner. Look into getting a re-gear.
@@vu7419 yup, I have a 2012 Tacoma with the 4.0 V6 and Auto transmission and my friend has an FJ with the same engine but a manual transmission, he doesn't experience the same issues as me with the auto.
@@kylehaskell6651 any experience with a OV tune?
Gear it with larger gears and get a Sibitune from OVTune
@JD B show us some stats about being twice as reliable.
Frontier is what I'd go for, It's a great platform to build to my liking. Plenty of clearance for 285s and no need to re-gear. Can't say the same for the Tacoma.
with the manual transmission there is no hunting for gears. automatic comes with 3.9 gear ratio and needs re gearing and Manual comes with 4.29. I got a 20 trd pro with stick. tuned and it's a blast to drive daily on and off road
Nissans suck!
Until your trans on the Nissan breaks
@@Slippahjoe That only applies to their CVT transmissions. The trucks have regular automatic transmissions. I'd suggest doing some research before blatantly making assumptions like you just did.
Great comparison but I'm in love with the new Frontier, I'm a Nissan fan and I love the engine upgrade 3.8 liters is awesome
I have a 2019 Tacoma Off Road and I've not been impressed. I have many friends that love it eventhough theirs performs as horrible as mine.....just not loving it. I love your review though, it's the most realistic I've seen EVER
Hahaha. Typical dad. I owned a 16 Tacoma 2x off road and drive a 16 frontier 4.0 for work. Toyota always has way better suspension than Nissan and it still shows here. You pay for what you get hand down. Thanks for the content.
I thought the Tacoma did well overall too.
But the Tacomas always seem to stay cleaner than most others Off Roading, i don’t know why, but they do
it because of the wheel base, the more tucked the tires are the less mud that grapples onto the side of the truck
If I got one I would get the taco with the standard and add the Magnusson supercharger. I'd also do after market gearing and air lockers which would also add the central air compressor system. Lastly, I'd go with a nominal 3" lift and finish I off with a set of ko2's.
I looked up how much and its 9k to buy and install the supercharger oh lawd
this week it has been 3 years since my father passed you are the 2nd person that does what you did that expression 13:07 remind me of my father he did that every time a task was to be taken brought a smile to my face thank you, the first time I see this channel already like it kudos from the Dominican republic here the Hilux of Toyota is the flagship pick up to beat there are many mid sizes pick up that don't reach the U.S the Isuzu Dmax is one that give Toyota a run for its money.
welcome and thanks
i own a pro x and just tested it on my hunting trip and it did great and coming from a tune person it perform wonderful without issues and while people keep choosing tacoma cause of videos reviews while not owing one them selfs and its base on what type of trips you going to be using the truck for not cause manual transmission or how lifted it is ect no hate peoples and good review my man
the tacoma will still out perform the pro x no matter what video they post.
@@David-or8oh on 4x4 or 4x2 ? Since there’s a difference on all tacos trims the since trd pro is best of off road since you and pro x is 4x2 but like I said it all depends what you need it for since I’m sure you know everything ✌️🤔 since I don’t do much off road or big mountain hill or soo I really don’t need 4x4 and since lots of people don’t even know what 4x4 really is so yes my man sure it would beat it like everyone say Toyota best of the best no hate I know they good reliable but that’s because people really don’t know anything about their own vehicle
@@XxansomexX I drive a 2012 pre runner, I can make it to most places other wouldn’t dare. Having a manual transmission helps out a bunch! My dad has a 4x4 2019 OR and it has amazing off-roading capabilities even tho I keep up with my old bucket! Lol 😂 but yeah I love my 4x2 truck
Another great video guys. I really like both trucks. I had ‘97 Nissan Hardbody I wish I never sold so I’m leaning towards buying a Frontier in a couple of years. Tacomas with a 3 inch lift and bigger tires does look awesome though.
TRD Off Road vs Pro4X would be a better comparison in my opinion; The Off Road has more similar features to the Pro4X. I get going after the highest trim available to compare to each other, but the Pro is a "pro" for a reason.
Is it? I always put the pro and pro4x together because of the full skid package and the selectable locker. I thought the OR was just a mild suspension lift.
Great info, but I will tell you why I bought my 2016 Frontier over the Taco, and it still applies today. For the $7K difference, I can add a lift kit (exceeding both the lift, and suspension capabilities of the Taco) and superior tires, and still keep $3k in my pocket. That's Money left over for a Proper bed cover and rails.
I drove a '04 Frontier for 17 years, upgraded to a '21 Taco Off-Road...Pedal Commander Lives Matter!🤣🤣🤣 Great video!
I have a 1st gen 87 4runner 300k miles change the oil every couple years. In the middle of the desert it starts every time. You can't break a Yota.
Good call on the suspension differences. The Taco is just way more compliant when the going gets rough. So even if the Frontier had the slightly better tires, the Tacoma could get its tires on the ground and maintain traction. Great vid as always!
Yeah but the Pro4x isn't really designed to compete directly with the TRD PRO either.
@@FDNY101202 Exactly. The direct competitor to the PRO-4X is the TRD Off-Road, not the TRD Pro.
@@FDNY101202 price wise they are. So that's not a good excuse.
@@Pengowirr what are you talking about my guy?
1) The Pro-4X is $37-43k the TRD Pro starts at $45k
2) "First off, let's level set what the Frontier PRO-4X is and what the Frontier is and is not. It is not a "Raptor fighter" or a Tacoma TRD Pro or Chevy Colorado ZR2 competitor. What it is, is Tacoma TRD Off-Road, Ford Ranger FX4, and Chevy Colorado Z71 competitor, leaving Nissan with plenty of headspace if it wants to enter the market with a Nismo package in the future.” - Motor Trend
@@Pengowirr it's literally priced exactly like a Tacoma TRD Off-road
very good review. The Frontier Pro 4x is more equivalent to a Tacoma TRD offroad not the pro model but I get you are comparing the best offered from both.
I’m pretty sure the Pro4X and TRD Pro are in different categories when it comes to off roading. It’s too bad there wasn’t a TRD Offroad available as I bet they have more comparable suspension and features.
What about the interiors? Seat comfort? Controls? Back seat room? Bed features? Towing capacity?
we have several other reviews on the channel where we dealt with all that.
With the money saved by not buying the Tacoma, you could certainly improve the Frontier's suspension and have a more powerful better performing truck for similar money.
Both cool trucks. I feel like ugrading suspension would be much easier to do than adding power. Long time taco fan but also a Nissan fan and the new frontier has my attention.
Exactly. No booster seat mod needed for the Frontier.
There’s also 7k in the price difference between Toyota and Nissan
Man I can’t WAIT to see you guys take the new tundra out on this trail.
It’ll be dragging it’s ass all day long on the trails. It’s lower than it’s predecessor for gas mileage.
I own a 2018 Taco.. I will NOT give it up for nothing. all around a great mid-sized truck. appreciate the video guys, I do light off roading but I getting more into it.
I like this team. Nothing feels fake. I work in Africa and the terrain in this video is the closest to my reality. I am more likely to follow your recommendations.
Great video guys! I have a 2021 Nissan Frontier and I like how honest you guys are and FAIR. So many reviews are bias toward Tacos and it’s just annoying. I like you guys so much so, I’m going to like, subscribe, and buy some merchandise!
Thanks for watching!
Toyota Tacoma as always
Another reason why you guys have an amazing channel. Been waiting for this since the Frontier was introduced.
The Nissan has a Vehicle Angle gauge too, but it on the “off road” menu on the dash, where you see the gas, speed limit, etc.