2020 Nissan Frontier: The Oldest Pickup Around Is No Longer the Cheapest
Nissan has gifted its ancient workhorse a new engine—and it's charging for it.
Traditionally, Nissan has priced its aging midsize Frontier pickup well below the competition. But for the 2020 model year, the Frontier gets a big price bump, to $27,885, when it goes on sale in July. That starting price is now in line with rivals, though the 2020 Ford Ranger, 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, and 2020 Toyota Tacoma are cheaper, with starting prices of $25,605, $26,395, and $27,145.. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline are more expensive, priced well into the $30,000s.
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Why has the Nissan's price ballooned from last year's $20,385 MSRP? It's all about the engine. The 2019 Frontier's entry-level powertrain was a four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. To upgrade to an automatic, buyers had to fork over at least $24,455. But the game is different now. Nissan dropped the four-cylinder engine as well as the old transmissions, making way for a new nine-speed automatic for all models. Also, amore powerful V-6 engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque is standard.
When you look at all the 2020 Frontier's trim levels and compare them to their 2019 equivalents (meaning six-cylinder Frontiers with an automatic transmission), the price gap between the two model years shrinks significantly. The 2020 model's prices across the lineup have increased by an average of under $2,000, according to Nissan.
The cheapest Frontiers are King Cabs, Nissan-speak for extended cabs, but four-door Crew Cabs aren't much more expensive, starting from $28,995 for the cheapest model. Nissan has simplified the lineup to include S, SV, and Pro-4X trims. The latter is the most expensive model in the lineup, featuring a host of off-road goodies that bring prices up to $38,585.
Last month, we took the updated Nissan pickup truck for a spin to see how it has improved. We found the new powertrain was smooth, relatively quiet, and "powerful enough." In the city and on the highway, the Frontier now drives nearly as nicely as other, more modern midsize trucks, even with the off-road tires and shocks on our Pro-4X tester. We're hoping that the fully redesigned Frontier—which will use this new engine—will up the ante even further when it arrives for 2021.
Check out a comprehensive list of 2020 Nissan Frontier prices below.
- Frontier S King Cab 4x2: $27,885
- Frontier SV King Cab 4x2: $28,765
- Frontier S King Cab 4x4: $30,775
- Frontier SV King Cab 4x4: $31,655
- Frontier S Crew Cab 4x2: $28,995
- Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x2 SWB: $29,895
- Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x2 LWB: $32,505
- Frontier S Crew Cab 4x4: $32,385
- Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 SWB: $33,085
- Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 LWB: $33,505
- Frontier Pro-4X Crew Cab 4x4: $38,585
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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