Fox News Autos test drive: 2020 Nissan Frontier
The 2020 Nissan Frontier features the oldest design of any truck on sale today, but it has a brand new engine that makes it look a little younger. Fox News Autos editor Gary Gastelu takes a walk.
Nissan unveiled new versions of the Frontier pickup and Pathfinder SUV for 2022.
The Frontier is largely a revision of the previous model, which was first launched in 2005, and carries the 3.8-liter V6 with 310 hp and the 9-speed transmission that were launched last year. The midsize pickup also receives a redesigned exterior that features a vertical grille, flatter hood and bubble fenders inspired by the 1980s Nissan Hardbody.
The interior is brand new and equipped with an updated information and entertainment system, comfortable Nissan zero-gravity seat and four USB ports. A 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi access point, wireless charging pad and a 360 degree panoramic camera with off-road mode are among the options available.
The Frontier will be offered in four classes that include a new Pro-X that combines the off-road shocks and robust appearance, skids and rear differential with locking Pro-4X 4×4 with two-wheel transmission, which has 6,720 – trailer rating pound and payload capacity of 1,610 pounds on non-Pro-X models.
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The front collision warning is standard on all Frontiers and the Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver assistance package with automatic emergency brakes, assistance with keeping the lane and other functions are optional across the board. Adaptive cruise control can also be added to some models.
Pathfinder is a more dramatic reboot. It remains a crossover utility vehicle with front or all-wheel drive, but gets a more square body that Nissan says is a “return to the sturdy” designed to evoke previous truck-based trailblazers and includes three slots tucked into the top of the grill that are a callback for those in front of the hood of the original Pathfinder.
The three-row Pathfinder is larger than the previous generation and comes standard with seats for eight passengers and enough cargo space behind the third row to accommodate four golf bags. A seven-passenger layout with a removable second-row console is optional.
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The interior represents a great step in refinement, with a coated and stitched panel, heated and cooled front seats, heated second row seats, tri-zone temperature control, a digital instrument panel and a 10.2 head-up display inches. the offing.
Pathfinder continues to use a 284 hp V6, but shifts from a CVT transmission without changes to a 9-speed automatic due to customer feedback that Nissan says offers better hill performance and helps deliver a 6,000 trailer rating pounds.
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Safety Shield 360 is standard and Pathfinder is available with ProPILOT Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with a robust lane centralization system that works on the highway and can handle stop-and-go situations.
The top of the line Pathfinder Platinum adds a Navi-link feature to the system that uses the navigation system to determine the prevailing speed limit and automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to match, with the driver able to dial in some variation.
Frontier and Pathfinder prices will be announced closer to when they go on sale this summer.