2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge: Off Road
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Our 2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge panel of judges had the chance to flog each of the 4x4 competitors at a private off road park just outside Ann Arbor, MI. We played in the sand, on hill climbs, over rocky trails, even playing in the mud. What we discovered surprised us.
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I ❤️ my '14 pro-4x frontier. Gets the job done, super powerful and capable despite being "ancient" and can STILL keep up with the current contenders.
4.0 Frontiers are the best v6s around. Powerful engine for towing etc.
I have a 2009 frontier 4x4 6inch lift,35 inch tires,k&n cold air,hypertech programmer,and flow master dual exhaust,this truck just flat out impresses me everytime I drive it,frontier for life!
Love it, I have a 2010 Frontier has everything I need, hasn't broken and gets me to work in all weather for thousands less than the others. To me a very good formula. ( 30 mile commute in MN )
The Frontier is more of a truck than all of these, including even some full-size models. It has the best Horsepower-to-torque ratio, hauls 6100 ibs, decent mpg for a heavy-torqued engine, and I don't care what anyone says it has a well-appointed interior (mine's a 2014 SV). It doesn't have all the foofoo tech and luxuries, but I still have heated seats. My bed extender and cleat system is awesome too. There once was a time where people bought trucks to get a job done, or to traverse difficult terrain; these trucks didn't shield you or coddle you away from the elements, rather it made you appreciate them. Bottom line for the Frontier: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm just glad they didn't follow suit and pussify this truck for 12 years and counting.
What I don’t like about the Nissan “it spills my soy latte on the way to work”
😂
"What I don't like about the nissan is it feels like a truck, trucks shouldn't feel like trucks, they should feel like cars"
Keep going Frontier! Love mine :)
The Frontier is a trooper!.
the VQ40DE is a tried and true engine.
🚕
Tony Bolt true
I run into so many people with frontiers that have a ridiculous amount of miles on them and they still run great with limited to no problems.
Loving my Nissan Frontier
This is misleading. The Frontier may be old, but it had technologies that no other trucks had for over decades. It had hill descend control, uphill stop assist, locking rear differential, and Active Brake Limited Slip differential on the front and rear making it one of the most capable off road trucks to date. The ATRAC offered on the Tacoma came years after the Frontier, the only thing the Frontier doesn't have is front locking differential differential like the ZR-2, and crawl control like the Tacoma which is the latest technology Toyota offers which GM doesn't even come close. In terms of 4X4 range of capabilities the Frontier and the Tacoma are years ahead of the crowd, the ZR-2 has no technologies to offer, it offers front locking differential which is truly the old school boy.
Colorado actually had locking diffs forever my o4 has a locking diff ND traction control Nissan is good until it breaks ND when it does break its hard to find parts. Parts are expensive ND they are pain in ass to work on try doing a timing belt or head gasket on 1. Samething with the Tacoma they want 25 hours book time to do timing chain. The Colorado isn't as bad
Looking into a 2016 Frontier Pro-4x seems like the best when it comes to the price, sure it doesn’t have all the fancy specs that the competition has but it has leather seats, heated and for off road it has that nice suspension. Really hope to get one soon
Personally I prefer a 4x4 to be more on the raw side. I like the challenge, having some technology that does the work for me is now my thing. Based on this video I would take the frontier.
Everyone's complaint about the Frontier- great 4x4 truck but needs more tech. I bought my truck for the fact that it doesn't have all the tech. Im happy with the Frontier!
I have a 2017 pro4x. It has navigation , satellite radio, back up camera, leather heated seats, a kick ass stereo! locking rear diff, hill decent mode, actual Bilstein off- road shocks, decent factory off road tires, the most ground clearance in its class, skid plates (factory with pro4x model ) an engine with the most torque in it’s class- that won’t over heat when being pushed off road. I’ll also mention you can completely turn your ac/ fan off, has a step for your left foot so you can see out the window while climbing a hill, roof racks to store shit when adventuring and the list goes on! It may be old at it’s core but any real off-road enthusiast would want a reliable tried tested and true truck. These guys clearly don’t know a thing about trucks!
Exactly, nailed it! Kick as stereo, bilstein shicks, diff lock, good stock tires, rugged, tried and true engine with none of the tech overload like direct injection. Old school and that's what makes it great. The taco went too high tech. Loved the taco when it was like the Frontier is still. Ultimately I like the taco, but the Frontier is more of what I like because I like to offroad, which is one reason I haven't gotten rid of my Land Rover Discovery.
I have a Pro-4X too and love it. As you are probably aware the factory skid plates are kinda more like bump plates. They are far better than nothing but don't use them like skid plates. Plus there is no protection for the muffler or cat.
The pro 4x is a really good truck dont get me wrong but I have a 2016 Toyota tacoma and it is only the SR5 4x4 and my friend owns the pro 4x we went off roading and even he believes that the tacoma performance was much better
The only real truck in the line up is the frontier, period!
I'm glad Nissan is still doing it right. Building a truck like a truck. They know what trucks are for. You can review it like a car all you want, but that's missing the point.
Exactly!
3:17 frontier is not nice to drive?
What a lie
Truth broo. He doesn't know. Looks like a siss.
That little woman knows nothing. Frontier is the nicest to drive out of any truck, period.
@@n-em5877 Heck to The yaa
Exactly! I've watched several review videos that mention how good the ride is on the frontier....on road and off road LOL. I don't own a Frontier (yet) but when the time comes it's what I'm going to purchase.
Erated78
If you live out west look out east for a Frontier. I got my Pro-4X for much cheaper than I would have in Colorado.
have a pro4x frontier and I love it. I got the most power of any of those trucks. very capable off-road. on-road I think it's pretty comfortable the leather seats are nice it rides good, does it have all the bells and whistles and electronic do dads that newer trucks have nope which means stuff is less likely to break.
l bought my 2012 Nissan Xterra pro 4x because it has no bell and whistles... and l fucken love it.
They were supposed to bring out a 2.8 cummins diesel for those but havent heard any news about it. The 4.0 is a gas hog I have a 2010 Canyon z71 and its a good truck the inline 5 cylinder is good on gas
I own a 2016 GMC Canyon with 4 cylinder 2.8 L duramax diesel and I am averaging 32 mpg at 65 mph on the highway. In town I still get depending on how much traffic 22 - 26 mpg almost strictly stop and go. The gas 3.8 offered in them also is a very good engine and very strong about 300 hp and fair on gas. I had one of the five cylinder engines and thought it was just ok because it was just not up to date with the times. It was rough running compared to other engines in its class. And it was a thirsty engine also compared to most other engines in its class. Thank You
I love my 2014 nissan frontier sv.no problem still runs like brand new!
The Nissan Frontier does lack in technology but the trucks been around for awhile which means all the flaws from the early years are fixed and it's a great reliable truck. They run forever as well as the toyoda Tacoma. I personally like the look of the Frontier from the outside as well.
The Frontier is actually one of the few vehicles that Nissan still makes right. I am afraid they'll mess it up if they change it.
yup your right the frontier is one badass truck and the technology is there even if it was introduced in 2005 the features are still top notch and some of the features the Tacoma nor the Honda didn't even have till the new ones came out...the frontier has a rear locking differential that can be activated by a touch of a button, it has hill descent control and hill assist control again all activated by a button, it has the offroad tires with offroad bilstein shocks....and not many people know this but the frontier is actually the only one that's built on a shorten full size frame from the titan, that's why its the heaviest of the bunch but don't think of it as a negative cuz what it really does is it makes it into a tougher more durable and brawnier truck, in other words its a classic bruiser that can take a beating like no other midsize truck, not to mention all the additional traction control and vehicle dynamic control nannies which can both be turned off.....man this reviewers suck big balls!!!
The frontier is known as a navara over here in Ireland and being the only one of these trucks I’ve ever seen it’s a really nice machine
dan quaid the frontier also known as nissan frontier navara (mother trucker) here in Malaysia...
Fax
Ya I agree. They’ll put a CVT transmission and trade the 4.0 6 for a pussy little engine and it just won’t be the same.
love my frontier it will just muscle through every doesn't need help from new technologies :)
Love my 2017 Nissan Frontier Pro 4v.
Frontier all the way!
My dad's a Toyota/Ford kinda guy. He had his early 90's Toyota Tacoma in Guatemala where he is from. The place is hilly, cold, and ruff terrain. That Tacoma went everywhere. Having a Tacoma in Guatemala in the mountain town is like a diamond to them.
I love my 2012 pro4x
We don't get a lot of these particular models here in Australia, but what you guys call midsize pickups have been the top selling vehicles for almost the last decade, reason being is they are so versatile, can do most things pretty well.
Tacoma all the way!
muy buena la Nissan!!!!! yo tengo una NP300 FRONTIER 2017..exelente 2.3 biturbo 193hp...saludos javier de ushuaia argentina!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing road adventure
This review was done really well. No time wasted. Good job!
cars.com thank you for this video and commentary and reviews. for me this is legit and fair reviews of all the test vehicles.
Nice video of off roading. But considering only 3% of the people ever take a truck off Roading I would take the Ridgeline best all-around truck
Best auto review format ever!!
I don't care what you all say, that Frontier is freaken BEAST and sexy!!!!
its the worst looking truck there 100%
@@drwang699 Your opinion.
The Tundra is my favorite of the lot
love my 2015 nissan frontier crew cab pro4x. will do anything I've ever tried. 💪👍
Charlie sw9ve besides tow
failed to mention the tacoma will outlast all of them. And I don't get nissan. They've stepped up their game everywhere else in the world exept America . just look for navara np 300
I like their Diesel XD
Yeah it's a pretty good truck. They did nothing to the frontier though
I dunno about that statement. Remember the 05-08 with the frame that rusted out quicker than Al Bundy?
Titan XDs now come with the option of Cummins Diesel or 5.6 Liter V8 Endurance and gooseneck towing
since when didnt toyotas rust away. motor was good body and frame was always a rust bucket
Regarding the Tacoma, that's why there's a button to turn off traction control and also why they come with a manual transmission.
26mpg more power than the taco will help keep your family with 5 star crash rating with a ride that wont break your spine ridgeline give you a peaceful mind so easy to live with .Each to his own
what I don't like about the frontier is that it is a frontier what type of statement was that like tf
He went on to say why he didn't like it. He said it was ancient and didn't have a lot of the fancy new features of its competitors.
Cause these guys don't know shit about trucks that's why they brought two of the shittiest trucks on the market to a truck off lmfao.
Yes, and why would anyone need these fancy expensive features. Some people need simple and affordable to maintain trucks. Let us see how their fancy fearures do in Siberia or the Sahara
well, he said he doesn't like it cause it's ancient and it's not very nice to drive when you are not offroading which is perfectly said. I love how they are made but it's so old and the interior is garbage
I wish I had bought the Frontier in 2011 when instead, I bought the Colorado. The Frontier is old (of this pack of trucks) but heck, they are still making them today. Had I bought the Frontier and kept it shiny, people wouldn't know it was 5 years old. Me thinks it was redesigned in 08? I noticed today that they discontinued the 6 spd manual. :(
complaining about having to move alittle to turn a knob
I agree. So, he can't simply reach down and turn the knob without "craning his neck" to look at it?
Still has shitty ground clearance. Also doesn't help that the headlight knob and the 4wd knob are inches apart and the same diameter
Still has shitty ground clearance. Also doesn't help that the headlight knob and the 4wd knob are inches apart and the same diameter
gmc has auto on/off headlight so it doesn't really matter how close they are.
phil francisco A lot of cars have auto headlights. Still see people with no headlights on
I'm liking the Ridgeline more and more...
Me too!
To call that thing a truck is a shameful smack in the face to anything that actually is a truck, it's a CRV with a truck bed. To each their own, but I personally don't understand why it's being compared to actual body on frame "trucks".
you must be a ricer...lol jk
A jeep owner... You know a real off-road vehicle...
I'm going to get the black edition
Zr2 Colorado and Canyon due out in 2017. If they will have the diesel option for those They will be king.
Nissan frontier es una chulada ❤️❤️
Toyota Tacoma, Is amazing, our Tacoma has upgrades, with air bags, winch, four wheel pop up camper, and many different things. the taco is a very trust worthy car. we traveled around South America, North America, and Europe, we got stuck only twice. you might think that we didn't do barely any off-road... well, you're wrong, we went through deep rivers, through salt lakes( we were sinking), and different places. I totally recommend that Tacoma 2014-15
why test the tacoma trd against a standard frontier, why not the pro4x? unfair
Truck reviews from guys who probably drive cars...
Ryan Murray And?
finish the video. its a highlight.
I love how they did this no bias and all fair opinion nice job
the frontier is one badass truck and the technology is there even if it was introduced in 2005 the features are still top notch and some of the features the Tacoma nor the Honda didn't even have till the new ones came out...the frontier has a rear locking differential that can be activated by a touch of a button, it has hill descent control and hill assist control again all activated by a button, it has the offroad tires with offroad bilstein shocks....and not many people know this but the frontier is actually the only one that's built on a shorten full size frame from the titan, that's why its the heaviest of the bunch but don't think of it as a negative cuz what it really does is it makes it into a tougher more durable and brawnier truck, in other words its a classic bruiser that can take a beating like no other midsize truck, not to mention all the additional traction control and vehicle dynamic control nannies which can both be turned off.....man this reviewers suck big balls!!!
Correct i just Lifted my 2016 Pro4x frontier 2.5 front 2.0 back new 16x8 rims on stock tires damn big difference now i am putting 33's on I had all new Bilstein shocks put in better ones man my Truck runs like it's on feathers hahaha so bouncy
I drive a pro 4x xterra Iove it. They don't make SUVs like it no more. Jeeps are junk 4 runner's are the last of a dying breed
Toyota TRD offroad 4x4 FTW!! HANDS DOWN. nuff said!!
In my personal experience (impe), Toyota pickup trucks and their off-road C/SUVs are the most able, solid and tried-and-true brand "worldwide" in almost any terrain, nuff said.
stock tires on a hill climb what do you think is going to happen
Honda was never ever designed off-road use like that. But I did get the job done. And by far the best ride anywhere else
Screw the four eyes thats hating on the frontier. I'd proudly drive it to work
I bought an 02 Frontier in 05 with 70k miles on it... Drove it for 11 years... Very few problems... I just purchased a 2019 sv with 30k on it... Pick it up next week...
Not very credible when you have a pro4x and trd then kick on the GM twins when you got ones with car tires
This is a horrific comparison because they are all over the place with these trucks as far as trim levels go. Off-road test and you don't pick the Z71 GM trucks, but the 4x Nissan and the Toyota Off road package and they leave regular street tires on the Honda? At least account for tires and trim level of all things.
I think these guys and the folks over at TFL both are guilty of this. Pick a tire that is available for a wide range of vehicles and perform all tests with that, to be fair. Example: do all trucks mounted with the same A/T tire for offroad testing, or pick a good general purpose tire that can do both on and off road well without being specialized. Personally this would have been a better test had they all been wearing something like a Falken Wildpeak or General Grabber.
I bet the Toyota has the most armor underneath,in a 6spd manual it's awesome!!!!!
Next year there will be the Jeep Wrangler Pickup truck too
Was it confirmed? That would be nice man! I would buy it in a heart beat.
YES.. Confirmed and all.. you can even find spy shots already...
If they make a diesel for it Id buy 1 in a heartbeat
So they didn't like the most "truck" like truck in the group? The Frontier is an amazing truck and why people bag on it so much by saying it's old? Just makes no sense to me at all. Out of all these trucks the Frontier is the one i would buy.. The fact that it doesn't have all the tech is another reason why i love the Frontier 👍😎
You need to lower the psi in the tires for off-road!!
This video fails to mention that the Ridgeline took 2cd place, just barely behind the GMC Canyon. Toyota Tacoma came in 4th. (Cars.com. Full judges competition review)
I've owned and worked on my F150, F-250 7.3 Liter, GMC 1500, Dodge Dakota, and Honda Ridgeline. My Toyota felt weaker/ gutless, and Loud. My ford seemed to break down more, but love the body style. I hated the V8 Dakota and didn't keep it very long. I really liked my GMC Sierra a lot. I had my GMC Siera up till last fall, and thought I'd try a 2007 Ridgeline out next. I grew up on a big farm, and would have no problem picking the Ridgeline as my farm truck. I towed a 18 foot car hauler with my Ridgeline last month while building a lofted barn. I've gone Mud dig'n (VTM locked & 2cd gear) and kept up with the 1/2 tons all day. I've found changing Alternator and Tensioner pully's was much easier than the Chevy or Ford. For cost, durability, maintenance, and usability, I'll keep my Honda Ridgeline. Heck, I had a 2,000 lb tote of wood chips from Home depo in the bed 3 months ago while landscaping. The Ridgeline has a truck bed, AWD, and since I'm NOT buck'n hay, and haul'n horses, I'm good with this smaller truck's tow rating. (I keep my toe chains, straps, and bungee cords in the truck trunk all the time).
I feel this new 2017 is a pretty-boy truck. I'd be really nervous about getting this 2017 City slicker all dirty. I'v had some really muddy friends & scouts in my 07, and my interior washed right out. Also, the 2017 needs a sliding rear window offered on the lower models. I've put several 10' & 12' drip edge's and 2x4's through the rear window on rain days.
(My wife loves the Ridgeline because its so good in the snow, AWD. She says its easier to get into and rides smoother. She likes to go grocery shopping and to work in it, when I let her...)
Did the ford break before it got there
Drew s. No they cant take the ford to the test because its to op for others
Just the driver accidentally put diesel in it
There is no Ford truck in this segment
To be fair, there's no Honda truck in this segment either, but they still brought a Ridgeline there.
They wanted the competition to be close. Ford 3.5 Ecoboost will smoke all of these Trucks in almost all categories.
I was looking forward to this video, but it feels really glossed over. Id like some ind depth comparisons to get a real idea of how all the vehicles size up to one another.
This was a Tacoma ad. They took the street versions of the other trucks ie. Not the z71 for the colorado and most of the other trucks were on the less aggressivestreet tires and compared in to the offroad purposed TRD pro tacoma.
Honda ridgeline 👍
Totally agree with his assessment of the Toyota's engine response. For a new motor I was surprisingly underwhelmed :/
I'd like to see these direct comparisons done using the same tire on each vehicle, for example, using the new KO2
What is better for off road tacoma or hilux?
that is a good question. I think the hilux has a smaller wheel base so that might be to its advantage.
Hilux since the diesel engine gets good low end torque.
Hilux is more durable
Frontier needs a remake but is still very capable as was the Titan just Japanese don´t fix what hast broken
+Pedro Areias Indeed, a small diesel Nissan would be sweet
+Practical Builds Nissan Np300Frontier
no is a smaller car only 4cyl but it does offer a diesel
Some people prefer rugged. I would rather get out and lock my hubs than have to carry around 300lbs of weight for the truck to do it for me.
Hobbyandtech the Frontier has looked the same for the past 2 decades
So why exactly didn't you get a Z71 package for the Colorado in order to do the Off-Road challenge? You got the off-road packages of the Nissan and Toyota. The Ridgeline doesn't have one, so that's understandable.
I like the Colorado!!
Toyota TRD Pro vs a non Z71 or ZR2 GM vehicle?? Who chose the trucks?!
We did all this work and found out. We really love the prius！
at least put off road tires on all trucks like people doing off road would, don't bring a knife 🔪 to a gun 🔫 fight guys, likewise for on road use factory offered tires.... come on guys.
Always irritates me with these reviews when they start bitching about the factory tires... the first thing virtually anyone who buys an off road truck immediately replaces with proper all/mud terrains.
mid-size utes... gotta love'em. not proper 4x4's but they do the job.
Why would you not use the same tires for all the cars. Or as close as possible.
Midsize pickup 😂 ! I bought a Titan XD with the new gasoline engine. That's a real truck 👍🏼
Not bad very interesting. If its possible would like to see all 2016 4x4 full size truck go at it.
i have a 2000 nissan frontier 4x4 still runs great
I'm honestly amazed you would have street tires on a truck take it off road then start complaining saying this truck needs more momentum then the others to go anywhere. All of these trucks need to be fitted with a set of all terrain tires then stacked up against each other for a challenges such as this. Also to bring up things like uhh we think the dial is in the wrong location do you understand that trucks used to have manual hubs which would mean getting out to lock then getting back out to unlock. Put these trucks to the test this is what people want to see. Stop complaining that your grande coffee wont fit properly into the cup holder.
Turn on the ECT power button, and turn off traction control and you'll get a much more responsive throttle on the Taco.
NISSAN THE BEST
uh the canyon has an all terrain package with off road tires and upgraded suspension. They do know that exists right?
except the Ridgeline, everyone should research on the crash test results on those trucks. really surprised with 'tough truck' status. The Honda mini van does better in a crash than most of those truck. would you trust your children lives in those truck?
Thinking about adding a turbo,can anyone recommend what size of turbo would be good for the 4.O v6
I'll keep my Tacoma. Better capability, reliability, durability and definitely better resale.
True!👍
+Leo traded a 2015 for a 2016... (2015 was 2wd and kept getting stuck, was a dumb decision) 2016 is better in all aspects other than low end grunt as they mentioned in the video
Julio Chavez god damn, did you park it in the ocean?
+Bradford Bradington Of course not Jackass. Toyota has known a decade of problems, go to the back of your dealership and look at the piles of rusted out frames they are replacing.
Toyota has multiple class action lawsuits they face with this defect.
How about doing a little research before you post a dumb ass remark.
Julio Chavez I'll bet you did.
NISSAN RULES! !!☺😊😀😁
u diddnt review the all terrain model of the canyon
Please do this video with half ton trucks please
Toyota should have put their new 2.8L turbo diesel engine (1GD-FTV) in these redesigned Tacos. That is one engine that these trucks really need..
Meh, I prefer Petrol motors, unless if it's a full sized truck.
AAAll hоt girls aаaаrе herе => twitter.com/5b87d0495a7a15a51/status/801992405775826944 2016 Мidsizе Рiсkuррpр Chааaallеngее Off Rоаd
Diesel all the way baby. I own a 2017 3500 Silverado HD and that thing is fast and pulls like a MF'er.
Hiluxtaco They need the 3.0d4d......
Anthony M
If these are "Midsize" Pickup Trucks then can you give us list of what the Small Pickup Trucks are? I thought these trucks in the video were Small, the F-150 and Silverado were "Midsize", and the HD ones were Large? Am I wrong?
You're wrong. The way they classify trucks in the US is kinda weird. These are mid-size, the Silverado and F-150 are full-size, and the F-250 or 2500s are HD. There are no small pick-up trucks in America. They would be something like the Fiat Toro, but they're not sold there.
yup, mid size in the USA is basically light duty trucks , then we have medium duty and then heavy duty
Havne't had a compact pickup in the US since the 2012 Ranger. Closest you can get is the Frontier, which gets the worst gas mileage of all the trucks tested in the video.
I drive a pro 4x xterra it's a beast
Can we actually see any of these vehicles get to the top of a hill? I am confused about why they would spend so much time recording these tests, then fail to show any single complete test. Right when you're about to see whether a truck made it to the top, it cuts to a different shot. Very frustrating to watch, and not very informative.
Why didn't you test the Trail Boss version of the Colorado?
Came to watch the toyota win and wasn't let down. Not suprised. Toyota for life.
Where are they in the video?
the honda seem to be impressing everyone
For the vast majority of the consumer pickup market, the Ridgeline wins hands down.
until they realize its just a beefed up minivan chassis with a bed. i bought a first generation ridgeline new and was very pleased with it for about 1 year. then things started to show me just how much of a "truck" it wasnt. after about 50k miles of highway driving and very light duty hauling, the motor and transmission performance suffered drastically dropping from 20 mpg to 15mpg. struggling up hills with my 4 wheeler in the back. then came the brakes and suspension. ball joints and bushings were so wore at 50k that i was lucky to get 15k miles out of a set of tires. and then the VTM started locking due to worn out oil and pushing the truck straight in the snow even with the wheels turned all the way at low speeds. after that the O2 sensors went and the OEM sensors are 400 each and it needed all 4. because when the CEL comes on, the truck turns off the all wheel drive making it a 6000 pound front wheel drive tank that cant even pull itself up a sllght hill on wet pavement. and the thing is... i never had the thing off of pavement one time. maybe a gravel road once.
***** Most of the consumer pickup market just needs a beefed up minivan with a bed.