Driven: 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X

2022 | nissan | reviews | trucks

Beneath the hood of the Frontier, you'll find a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft. of torque. Working in concert with a 9-speed automatic transmission, the truck gets off the line smoothly and offers ample highway passing power and on-ramp acceleration. The crew cab model shown here can tow up to 6,570 pounds. Payload capacity is rated at 1,480 pounds. The PRO-4X comes standard with a 4-wheel drivetrain, a 2-speed transfer case, and a electronic locking rear differential, which improves traction on challenging terrain.

The PRO-4X trim has a rugged and sporty look with its blacked-out trim overfenders, mirror caps, and lower bumpers. Metal side steps make entry and exit from the cabin easy, while an optional black Frontier sport bar is a nice finishing touch for the bed. A pop-out step under the rear bumper provides quick access to bed contents without opening the tailgate. We also appreciated the overhead lighting and versatile cargo rail system.

The truck rides on Bilstein off-road performance shocks, which we found offered an excellent blend of comfort in daily driving while sopping up city potholes, speedbumps, and rutted trails. It's also got an aluminum front skid plate, along with underbody plates protecting its oil pan, fuel tank, and transfer case. It's got 9.4 inches of ground clearance, which is the same as Toyota's Tacoma TRD Off-Road.

Adding to the pickup's off-road equipment are standard 17" alloy wheels, which provide plenty of sidewall for protecting tires on rough trails. Our truck came with optional beadlock-style rims wrapped in Hankook Dynapro AT2 tires, which are adept on a wide variety of terrain.

While the interior of the Frontier represents a substantial upgrade for the 2022 model year, it's still a relatively spartan and utilitarian space, which we suppose isn't out of character for a pickup truck. Notable upgrades are a 9" touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, more modern switchgear and displays, and an optional wireless charging pad. There's plenty of room for storage in the center armrest and door pockets, and we like the new center console grab bars. There's also a 7" digital information screen that displays off-road data like pitch and roll. A front-facing can be activated while driving off-road at speeds up to 6 mph in 4LO mode, helping to negotiate tricky trails. The 10-speaker Fender audio system that comes with the Pro Premium Package sounds outstanding, filling the cabin with crisp and punchy audio.

While we didn't spend much time in back, the front seats are quite comfortable and supportive. The Pro Premium Package also adds stitched leather front and rear seats. Embossed PRO-4X logos remind you what model you bought, just in case you forget. You can also get the Frontier with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated mirrors. Those are part of the Pro Convenience package, which also includes a spray-in bed liner, the bed rails we mentioned before, a trailer hitch, and 120-volt outlets in the bed and rear center console. We can't imagine buying this truck without spending the extra $1990 on this value-priced bundle.

We've always liked the Nissan Frontier. It's not too big and not too small, and it's a great choice for anyone who wants to stand out from the usual truck crowd. They're also known for their reliability and longevery. Now, the Frontier has got a very good new powertrain, more aggressive styling, and a more modern interior and tech to go with. We especially dig the PRO-4X, which deftly balances sporty looks with off-road capability. The base price for the 2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab is $37,240. Our fully-loaded tester was priced at $46,965, including the destination fee.