Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I own a Subaru ( an Impreza WRX STI ) and what I would call my cargo van ( a 98 Toyota Sienna 5 door) which is used as my hauler. I'm actually a fan of Subaru (a wolf in sheep's clothing for the most part) but am still considering one of the Mid-Size pick-ups, namely Frontier or Tacoma, to replace my aging Van. A truck for work, and a rally car for thrills.
Interior design and comfort are two separate things. Some people like, some people don't ( sort of like guacamole).
Toyota certainly has a reputation.
The new Frontier has a strong power-train (some in the know have actually claimed that the VQ engine may be the absolute best engine ever built. The bed liner is certainly more than sufficient. Gas mileage is poor, but so it is for all trucks. Realistically, one can achieve 20 m.p.g. mixed on an Imperial Gallon. Resale is close to par with Toys, and reliability is average (so we're told) which is good. Drive-ability and livability is subjective - think guacamole.
Do your research, take a long spin, and pick the one that suits you best.
I agree, "Do your research, take a long spin, and pick the one that suits you best."
Heck, if you like a Dakota, buy that.
Buy what you like, like what you drive.
At this point, we are beating a dead horse.
The VQ series I believe started in the 80's sometime not sure. A friend had an 86 Nissan 4x4 KC with V6 and I think it was VQ series. Anyway Old Sugar way to hyper for this old Critter!
Critter in the Surf Fish'in
kcram - Pickups Host
The trucks which i'm interested at are: Tacoma 4x2 DC short bed with SR5 package, 17 inch wheel,6 CD upgrade stereo, and running board and Frontier LE CC 4x2 with ugraded audio (Rockford Fosgate).
Exterior- subjective, but I lke them both.
Interior- this is where the Tacoma shine. Hands down, the best intertior of the two because the Frontier is totally cheap. Very cheap looking interior. Hard plastic all around. It looks like it was designed 10 years ago.
Comfort- Contrary to Edmunds comparo, the Shootout between the two, I found the Tacoma to be the best compromise between front seat and back seat comfort. Frontier back seat seating position isnt accomodating. The angle of recline is so minimal and the 1 inch leg room advantage is not there. However , the Tacoma is comfortable all around, front and back seat. I love the angle of recline of the back seat. If the Edmunds editor can say that they can go cross country with the Frontier, I and my family can go cross country in a Tacoma.
Ride Quality- Ride quality for Tacoma is car like. Very smooth. The Frontier was not bad either. I'll be satisfied with any of them.
Handling- I'm no race car driver and this is not exactly your typical vehicle to use for canyon carving so I'm gonna evaluate them as to where they are going to be used. Maneuverability is the key and the Tacoma has the lowest turning radius. In last Edmunds comparo, the Tacoma have the better slalom time than Frontier.
Looks- Subjective but I like them both.
Engine- I like the VQ derive 4L engine. However the packaging leave so much to be desired. First of all the engine is noisy while the Tacoma had a quite refined engine. Second the vehicles is heavier so the Tacoma wins in 0-60 and 1/4 mile. So even though the Frontier engine had better torque and HP in paper, the Tacoma beat it in real world condition as far as engine goes.
Safety- The 2 door tacoma received 5 star front driver/passenger and 5 star side crash rating from NHTSA while the Frontier received 4 star front driver/passenger and 5 star side crash rating from NHTSA. Tacoma wins.
Audio - The standard audio for the Frontier looks like it was designed 10 years ago. So I had to opt for the Rockford Fosgate. However the $800 added cost is not worth it. Audio quality is better than the Standard Tacoma with the 6 CD option but it cost too much. Tacoma wins.
Price- Tacoma cost about 23415 while the frontier is 22617. With the Tacoma winning most of my criterias an 800 dollar premium is small compared to what I'm getting.
Conclsion- Im getting a Tacoma and I'm not going to regret it. Before getting into this truck buying process I had set my eyes on the Frontier. After test driving, evaluating the interior and interior first hand, you cant deny that the Tacoma is a better vehicle.
and yet you say...
First of all the engine is noisy while the Tacoma had a quite refined engine
Frontier
Db @ Idle: 42
Db @ Full Throttle: 71
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 68
Tacoma
Db @ Idle: 42
Db @ Full Throttle: 71
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 70
Brian Moody of Edmunds on the Tacoma-
I expected the Tacoma to be the winner before the vehicles even arrived. The interior is by far the best of the bunch and borders on Camry-like comfort. But despite the cushy interior, the overly soft ride detracts from the truck's overall feel. Handling is kind of sloppy and the suspension ends up causing too much commotion. Plus, the engine and transmission seem to be constantly searching for power. -END
If you want a camry-like interior, buy a Taboma, if you want a TRUCK, buy a Frontier.
Your comment that the Frontier is noisy and the Tacoma is not do not agree with objective results. Does that mean you are speaking out of your derriere?
(from Edmunds test results)
Tacoma
0-60 8.1 seconds
1/4 mile 16.1 seconds
slalom mph 58.8
Frontier
0-60 8.3 seconds
1/4 mile 16.22 seconds
slalom mph 59.9
If its relative to a Frontier then how come Tacoma beat the hell out of it in any objective and handling testing? seems disjointed to me.
Frontier was faster in the slalom and slower in 0-60 and 1/4 mile. The combined difference is .42 seconds.
That equals being beat to hell? :surprise: That seems exaggerated, not objective.
With the seating (I'm only interested in the Access or King), I found both trucks to be comfortable. Some reviewers didn't like the Tacoma's flat, low front seat. I didn't find that to be the case.
With ride quality, I actually prefer the Nissan. The Toy is more car-like, if that is what you like, that is fine.
The Frontier was more responsive (nimble) but the turning radius is a negative. The Taco wins there.
The look of these two is the absolute least important factor for myself. Whatever on that count.
I would expect trouble-free motoring with either power-train. I thought the 4 litre Tacoma to be noisier ( at least at near full throttle) than the Nissan. But, I'd be happy with either. The performance levels of both trucks should leave little to be desired.
As far as crash test ratings go, the Taco looks better on paper,but, the vehicle that was tested for full frontal was considerably lighter than the Frontier. Any two vehicles that are + or - 250 lbs. cannot be compared with each other. And that is in print. Mind you, the King Cab Frontier only received a 3 star and I am not thrilled with that. Both trucks scored GOOD on the off-set crash and both received 5 stars for side impact. I would feel as protected in either vehicle. The King Cab offers side bags.
The audio thing doesn't figure into it for me, and the pricing of these two is fairly close, but our local Nissan dealer will dicker, Toyota not. Nissan, more bang for the money.
Almost all of the above is subjective, so what you experience is not what someone else will. And that is a fact. Everything else is opinion. You say that one cannot deny that the Tacoma is better? I just did. And that is my opinion.
Hopefully, if or when you purchase a Tacoma, you'll enjoy it. At this point that is only wishful thinking. As with any vehicle, you pay your money, you take your chances.
What is your point? That the Tacoma is a lot louder than the Frontier?? Tacoma is 2 dB louder than Frontier.
2 dB is not much, Frontier and Tacoma noise in cabin are very similar.
A Tacoma is quieter than a toilet being flushed. :P
kcram - Pickups Host
Maybe give buyers the option of a composite bed or steel bed and see what happens.
I wonder if the testers in these comparisons are using the same grade of gas for each vehicle? The Toy does not like reg gas, I know from the experience of owning an 05 Taco.
$3.07 Premium
Tacoma V6 requires premium unleaded
Tacoma V6 4WD EPA 17/21 mpg premium unleaded required
Frontier V6 4WD EPA 15/20 mpg regular unleaded recommended
Any mpg advantage the Tacoma has is lost at the pump paying for premium.
Frontier 4.0 VQ V6 delivers superior horsepower, superior torque, and superior refinement over the Tacoma and does it on regular fuel.
Tacoma is a LIGHTWEIGHT when it comes to frame design and strength.
Frontier V6 4WD EPA 15/20 mpg regular unleaded recommended
You know any credibility you used to have goes out the window when you make posts like this. Toyota reccommends, not requires premium. The majority of people that actually own Tacomas have also posted that there is no noticeable difference other than cost.
Use of 87 Octane (typical octane rating of regular) in Tacoma equals PING and the engine knock sensors will retard timing to prevent pinging/knock. Reduced HP. Reduced Torque. Reduced MPG.
87 Octane = 265 HP in Frontier with it's 4.0 L V6.
Without 91 octane premium fuel in Tacoma, forget about it's .3 second advantage 0-60 mph.
I'm not going to bad mouth the Taco, I'm sure their nice but they were out of my budget so I never even gave them a consideration. I personally think the Frontier looks better exterior wise, but thats my opinion. The two trucks are so close in respects to performance you couldn't go wrong either way.