Starting at
Starting at
| 310 | Horsepower (hp) | 270 |
| 8/9 | Infotainment Screen (in) | 4.2/8 |
| Fender Premium Audio System | Sound System | B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen |
Since 2005, the Nissan Frontier has remained largely unchanged, yet it has continued to gain recognition for its ferocity, as well as its favorable sticker price. The Frontier is known to be a great value for the money, and this year, it offers something else to its loyal following. The third generation Frontier has arrived, sporting a flawless design, a powerful engine, and groundbreaking tech to bring this crowd favorite back in the spotlight, where it always belonged. There are rivals out there, however, that seek to steal the Frontier’s thunder, like the intimidating Ford Ranger, known for its rugged appeal and head-turning performance. Comparing the 2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2022 Ford Ranger in the areas of capabilities, design, and technology, you may be wondering how the all-new Frontier can hold up against legends like the Ranger.
Truth be told, the Frontier is no stranger to friendly competition, launching onto the scene in the late-'90s amidst a sea of other capable trucks. It quickly captured the attention of drivers who were looking for a more manageable truck for a price that didn’t break the bank. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and the Frontier is better than ever, showcasing a sleek, modern design and an even more powerful performance. The Ranger got its start a few years before the Frontier, and after a brief break in production, it tore back onto roadways in 2019, causing quite an uproar of excitement with its legions of fans. It’s currently in its fourth generation, and this year, the Ranger offers new designs and packages to appeal to more drivers, but is it enough to beat out the new and improved Frontier?
Strong and capable, there’s no doubt that the Frontier and the Ranger are serious about power, and the proof is in their strong performances. Showcasing best-in-class 310 horsepower with its 3.8L V6, the 2022 Nissan Frontier is ready for anything the ride tosses its way. Able to tow up to 6,720 lbs with 281 lb-ft of torque, the Frontier is more than equipped to manage your job site duties, as well as weekend camping trips and anything else you need to accomplish. With a 1,610-lb payload capacity, loading up the Frontier is simple, and with multiple tie downs available, managing any type of cargo is a breeze. Pair the Frontier’s capable engine with a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission, and you’re in for a precise ride, as the Frontier is a pro at navigating tight turns, bumpy roads, and any other driving condition with ease.
The 2022 Ford Ranger makes for some steep competition when it comes to capabilities. Its 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder offers nice towing abilities, able to accommodate up to 7,500 lbs. It falls short when it comes to horsepower, though, only able to offer 270 horses to power it forward. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which delivers smooth responsiveness that’s hard to beat. All in all, the Ranger offers a favorable ride, but it’s less exciting off the line than the Frontier.
When it comes to off-roading, few trucks can compete with the Frontier, and now that it’s better than ever, you can expect more adventurous capabilities out of this impressive truck. Its PRO-4X model is ready to excite you, with factory-installed features to amplify any ride. These include ultra-durable skid plates, off-road gauges to maintain control on treacherous terrain, and reinforced Bilstein shocks for ample comfort, no matter how rocky the road gets beneath your tires. With its electronic locking rear differential and large all-terrain tires, you’re in for a more controlled and capable ride, no matter the terrain, making the 2022 Frontier one of the most sought-after off-road trucks on the market.
It's pretty difficult to compete with the Frontier in terms of 4x4 capabilities, but the Ranger makes for a worthy adversary. Opting for its Tremor Off-Road Package will allow you to harness the Ranger’s full potential off-road, with adventurous elements like FOX shocks, an enhanced suspension system, plus a Terrain Management System to maximize any type of off-road journey. Although it’s armed with favorable features, designed for off-road delight, it’s been reported that many of its competitors offer more precision and agility on the trails and beyond. In the end, although both trucks are very similar when it comes to capabilities, our pick is the all-new Frontier due to its class-leading horsepower and outstanding 4x4 capabilities, which propel this truck to greatness.
One look at the 2022 Nissan Frontier, and you’ll be able to see the difference between this truck and its predecessors. It’s not only astonishingly sleek and modern; it borrows design elements from original Nissan hardbody trucks of the 1980s to make for a Frontier like no other. From its intimidating stance to its redesigned grille, can’t-miss Frontier branding to its arsenal of bold color palettes, the 2022 Frontier is an exquisite head-turner. Inside, it’s more magnificent than ever before, offering luxurious elements like Zero Gravity seating, a heated steering wheel, and soft-touch appointments. The level of luxury that resides inside of this beautifully designed truck is simply unmatched. With the perfect blend of style and function, few trucks can compete with the completely redesigned Frontier.
From the outside, the 2022 Ford Ranger showcases bold vibes with its wide grille, sculpted hood, and athletic features. Opt for the new Splash package to enjoy orange and black elements, like gloss black bumpers, exclusive orange and black badging, 18-inch matte-black wheel, and more eye-catching details inside and out. Although it emanates cool vibes from the outside, the inside is a different story, especially when you’re comparing it directly to the luxurious Frontier. The Ranger just can’t keep up with its rivals when it comes to interior style, frequently showcasing boring designs and cheap-looking materials. It definitely doesn’t exhibit designer features, which causes it to fall short in this area, especially when design and interior comfort are major priorities.
Being able to stay organized on the road, having a place for everything you’re bringing along with you on the ride is essential, and the 2022 Frontier is ready to show you how to optimize your ride. From rear under-seat storage areas to a large center console, plus loads of storage solutions dotting its interior, the Frontier makes efficient use of its cabin space. In addition, it’s undeniably rugged, with all-season floor mats, door scuff protectors, and more strong elements to enhance its versatility. Its spacious and refined interior is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before, which makes it a top pick for drivers everywhere. Unfortunately for the Ranger, its lack of storage options inside makes for a disorganized cabin space, with not enough room to handle your belongings, which is a disappointment for many drivers who need to stay organized during their journey.
You’ll find that the 2022 Nissan Frontier has been completely reimagined, especially when it comes to the technology that resides inside. From the largest available touchscreen in its class to plenty of must-have features, like door-to-door navigation, smartphone connectivity, and more, the Frontier showcases some of the best tech in the industry. It also features a best-in-class standard driver gauge display, which showcases turn-by-turn navigation prompts, driver alerts, and much more to keep you more in control of your ride. On the flip side, the Ford Ranger is anything but impressive in this area, with one of the smallest displays available in base models, a puny 4.2-inch radio display. You’ll need to upgrade to more expensive models if you want to enjoy a bigger touchscreen and more capabilities, which is a major disappointment for drivers on a budget.
In addition to stunning infotainment tech, the new Frontier also showcases an arsenal of driver assist and towing tech designed for the modern driver. From an Intelligent Around View Monitor to provide unobstructed views around your vehicle to Trailer Sway Control to maintain absolute control over your haul, the Nissan Frontier has your needs covered. Plus, with Nissan Safety Shield 360 protecting your ride, you’ll have the confidence you need to navigate any type of road or trail with precision. With features like Rear Automatic Braking and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, you’ll even have an extra pair of eyes watching out for what’s going on behind you, which comes in handy, especially when traveling in unfamiliar territory or packed parking lots.
You’ll also find some helpful trailering tech inside the 2022 Ranger, like blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage to help you stay safe, especially maneuvering in and out of traffic with your trailer. Although the Ranger is armed with some standard safety and assistance features, being able to take advantage of some of the more desirable features, like adaptive cruise control and the aforementioned blind spot monitoring, will require you to jump to a more expensive model. In the end, the Ranger just can’t keep up with the abundance of state-of-the-art tech that resides inside the all-new Frontier. With class-leading displays and loads of desirable trailering tech, the Frontier proves that it deserves a place in any of your travels.
When you’re looking for a midsize truck that offers exceptional capabilities, extreme style, and tech features that can’t be beat, the 2022 Nissan Frontier is one of the best trucks around. Here at Illini Nissan, we understand how important it is to find the right truck for the job, and whether you’re interested in this amazing new model or one of our other used or Certified Pre-Owned options, we have what you’re looking for here. We make it easy and hassle-free to get started with our top-notch team, offering you a selection of vehicles that can’t be rivaled, as well as finance plans that work perfectly with your budget.
We also have a service department filled with certified technicians just waiting to help you get the most out of your vehicle mile after mile. If you’re ready to find a vehicle that delivers more value, capabilities, and integrity to your travels, stop by for a test drive of the completely reimagined 2022 Nissan Frontier and experience what it feels like to harness cutting-edge innovation in a vehicle.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
