Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma Reliability

Nissan Frontier vs Toyota Tacoma Reliability

Frontier and Tacoma are great midsize vehicles that anyone will love to identify with. These two cars of, Nissan and Toyota, have an amazing reliability framework that makes them efficiently run for years without breaking down. But the question remains; which is better, Frontier or Tacoma?

This might not be what you expected, but Nissan Frontier is more reliable than Tacoma. You get cheaper repair and maintenance costs on Nissan Frontier than on Tacoma and high-reliability ratings.

The safety ratings for both cars are a mix. Frontier beats Tacoma with better frontal crash prevention systems for vehicle-to-passenger and vehicle-to-vehicle (day and night). However, it falls short with a poor headlight rating compared to Tacoma’s good overall rating.

Here’s all you need to know about Frontier vs. Tacoma reliability and why Frontier is better.

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Detailed Comparison

Feature
Nissan Frontier 2023
Toyota Tacoma 2023
Starting Price (MSRP)
$29,190
$27,250
Engine
3.8-liter V-6
2.7-liter four-cylinder / Optional 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower
310 hp
159 hp (Base) / 278 hp (V-6)
Torque
281 lb-ft
180 lb-ft (Base) / 265 lb-ft (V-6)
Towing Capacity
6,720 pounds
6,800 pounds
Payload Capacity
1,610 pounds
1,685 pounds
Fuel Economy (Combined MPG)
20 mpg
21 mpg
Durability
Generally considered less durable than Tacoma
Known for high durability and longevity
Technology
Advanced tech, but may not match Tacoma in some aspects
High-end tech, especially in higher trims
Safety Rating
Good scores, especially in crash prevention
Generally higher safety scores in multiple areas
Repair and Maintenance Cost
Lower average annual cost ($470)
Slightly higher average annual cost ($478)
Design Focus
Comfort and modernity, better for on-road driving
Off-road capabilities, rugged design suited for rough terrains
Off-Road Capabilities
Good, with PRO-4X trim for enhanced performance
Excellent, TRD Pro trim for superior off-road experience
Passenger Space (cu-ft)
100 cu-ft
100.3 cu-ft
Warranty Coverage
3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, plus two years or 25,000 miles of free maintenance
Reliability Rating (J.D. Power)
83/100
83/100
Key Advantages
More powerful standard engine, better horsepower
Better towing and payload capacity, slightly better fuel economy, free maintenance plan
Key Disadvantages
Lower towing and payload capacity, no free maintenance plan
Less powerful base engine, lower horsepower in comparison

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Which Is Better?

On an overall scale, the Nissan Frontier is better than the Toyota Tacoma. This doesn’t mean that Tacoma is a bad car. It is actually one of the best midsize trucks in existence. However, Frontier offers better services and product offerings at a cheaper price.

The cost of maintenance is cheaper on Frontier than on Tacoma. With Frontier, you get fewer chances of severe and minor repairs than in Tacoma. According to Repairpal, Frontier has a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, ranking 1st out of 7 midsize trucks. Toyota Tacoma takes many steps backward, ranking 3.5/5.0 and 7th out of 7 midsize trucks.

The truth is, understanding the reliability of cars goes beyond the ratings. Frontier and Tacoma have individual areas that they are good at. You need to understand these specifics to choose the right one for you.

Reliability comparisons on both cars vary according to their trim levels and years of production. For instance: the 2020 Nissan Frontier performed poorly in terms of safety, but it got a boost in 2022, although with needs to update its headlights.

On an overall scale, Frontier offers more value than Tacoma, a better-equipped towing bed, more towing capacity, and better designs. It falls short in off-road ability and fuel economy. You must understand that this review is based on the 2022 version of both cars, as there may be variations in other years.

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Design

The definition of good design varies for many drivers, but the standard remains the same. The new 2022 Frontier comes with better designs than the Tacoma. With the Nissan Frontier, you get a better comfy road feel on track rides. This is sponsored by its new rear sway bar and amazing Bilstein high-performance shocks.

There are guarantees for extreme terrains and comfortable rides. Both cars adopt the same 9.4 inches of ground clearance, aggressive terrain tires, electronic locking rear differentials, and lots more.

Although, Tacoma takes off-road rides seriously by introducing forged upper control arms and an internal bypass fox shock package. With the inclusion of the low-speed crawl control system on Tacoma, multiple terrain modes, and rock-crawl features, the Tacoma design makes it a more reliable choice for off-road rides. Both pickup trucks offer similar advanced driver assistance systems, like Traffic-Adaptive Cruise control and lane departure warning.

On the other hand, Tacoma’s off-road tuning doesn’t make it the best option for on-pavement rides. The new Frontier offers a more cabin environment, better immersion in modernity, and similar tech offerings in their designs.

Other Tacoma seats seem comfier, but the Frontier’s zero gravity is much more popular. You get heated steering wheels, and more USB ports than on Tacoma, with an all-round display of 21st-century digitalization. The space on Frontier is enviable. You get more legroom, a wider bed, and a more exclusive interior.

On a side note, if you're looking for tonneau covers for your Nissan Frontier, our recommendations might be worth your time.

Winner: Frontier

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Cost

It is cheaper to maintain a Frontier than a Tacoma. Tacoma tends to last long, but the overall cost of ownership of a Tacoma is higher than what is obtainable on Frontier. Frontier has an average annual repair and maintenance cost of $470, while Tacoma has $478.

The average frequency for repairs on Frontier is 0.24, while on Tacoma, it is 0.25. This includes a 12% chance of severe damages on Frontier and 17% on Tacoma. This means that with a Frontier, you will have fewer reasons to visit the repair shop than with a Tacoma.

Winner: Frontier

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Durability

The level of durability attained by a car depends on the driver's maintenance culture. However, on fair terms, Tacoma lasts longer than Frontier. The Toyota Tacoma isn’t considered durable until it hits 200,000 miles. There are chances for minor and major repairs with both cars, but you can always rely on Tacoma to last longer.

Tacoma’s durability has always been its major selling point. At some point, the Toyota Tacoma wasn’t considered the longest-lasting midsize truck. The Honda Ridgeline outlasted the Tacoma. However, there are no arguments that Tacoma does it way better than Frontier when it comes to durability.

Winner: Tacoma

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Engine and Performance

Nissan Frontier beats the Toyota Tacoma on engine strength, specifications, and performance. The new Nissan Frontier runs on a better 3.8L Direct Injection Gasoline engine, while the Tacoma runs on a 2.7L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT-i. Nissan delivers up to 310hp, which is miles ahead of Tacoma, which releases a meager 159hp.

Due to their varying engine strengths, the towing capacity is also different. Frontier has a max towing capacity of 6,720 pounds, while Tacoma offers 6400 pounds. Although engine capacity varies on Tacoma as some trim levels offer better options. However, even the best Tacoma configuration offers just 278hp, which is lower than Frontier’s base 310hp.

You are assured that no matter your choice for Frontier, it offers better horsepower than all Tacoma models and configurations. The 278 horsepower is only achievable when you swap Tacoma’s standard four-cylinder for the V6 engine. Frontier comes with a standard V6 engine.

Both cars use old-fashioned hydraulic-assist power steering, but Tacoma has more engine support for a better dirt ride. This includes more engine supports, like forged upper control arms for improved suspension articulations, and a great internal bypass Fox shock package. These features offer a better off-road driving experience than what Frontier’s Bilsteins offers. However, while Tacoma offers low-speed control, Frontier comes with engine-braking downhill systems.

The argument on Tacoma vs. Frontier, which has a better engine and performance, depends on what you want from a car. If you want off-road performance, then Tacoma is your best bet. For increased horsepower and stable/comfy performance on a normal road, you should choose Frontier.

Winner: Frontier

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Gas Mileage

Irrespective of how good Frontier’s engines are, they are not deserving when it comes to gas mileage. Tacoma’s are not good either. Probably because they are midsize trucks, but the gas mileage of Tacoma and Frontier is not what you should rely on.

The new 2023 Toyota Tacoma comes in seven trims. The highest fuel economy achieved by the trims is 20/23 MPG, which is by Tacoma SR5 and SR. 2023 Frontier comes with 24 mpg, which equates to 18 cities, 24 highways, and 20 combined. The truth is, none of the cars has exceptional gas mileage. But it is hard to expect great gas mileage from trucks as is achievable on compact cars.

Fuel Economy
Nissan Frontier
Toyota Tacoma
City
18 mpg (Estimate)
20 mpg (4-Cylinder), 19 mpg (V6) (Estimate)
Highway
24 mpg (Estimate)
23 mpg (4-Cylinder), 24 mpg (V6) (Estimate)
Combined
20 mpg (Estimate)
21 mpg (4-Cylinder), 21 mpg (V6) (Estimate)

Winner: Both

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Safety and Technology

Both cars offer similar amazing technology, but when considering the purchase cost, Frontier is a better option. You get all the nice tech from Frontier without overshooting your budget.

According to IIHS safety ratings for 2022 cars, the Tacoma has better safety scores for headlights, but the Frontier has better seatbelt reminder systems. Both cars have superior front crash prevention scores for vehicle-to-vehicle. While Toyota optimizes the use of the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, Nissan integrates the use of standard automatic emergency braking with its pedestrian detection system.

There are no safety credits for Tacoma’s safety scores on vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention at night, but Frontier still maintains a superior score. However, Tacoma beats Frontier by including lots of great safety features at standard. These features are usually available on Frontier via packages.

Considering the price differences between both cars, it is fair to say they offer similar safety standards, although Frontier needs to work on its headlights.

Winner: Both

Frontier vs. Tacoma Reliability: Towing and Payload Capacity

When it comes to the hauling prowess of midsize trucks, both the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma bring considerable strength to the table. However, diving into the specifics reveals where each vehicle stands out.

The Toyota Tacoma flexes its muscles with a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds, edging out the Frontier's respectable 6,720 pounds. This slight advantage positions Tacoma as a more versatile choice for those with heavier trailers or boats.

Shifting our focus to the payload, Tacoma continues to impress. It boasts a maximum payload capacity of 1,685 pounds, outperforming the Frontier, which offers a substantial but slightly lower capacity of 1,610 pounds. This extra payload muscle in the Tacoma is vital for those who prioritize carrying heavier loads in their truck bed.

In the realm of towing and payload, while both trucks demonstrate impressive capabilities, the Toyota Tacoma pulls ahead with its marginally higher limits in both categories, making it the go-to option for those prioritizing hauling power.

Winner: Tacoma

Summary

Overall, choosing between the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma depends on your priorities.

  • The Frontier shines with its advanced technology and lower maintenance costs, ideal for those valuing modern features.
  • The Tacoma, known for its robust towing capacity and off-road capabilities, suits those needing a durable and reliable truck.

Both models offer impressive reliability but with distinct strengths.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will a Nissan Frontier last as long as Toyota Tacoma?

Both the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are expected to be long-lasting vehicles. The Frontier can last over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, while the Toyota Tacoma is known to surpass 200,000 miles and is not considered to have too many miles until it reaches the 150,000-mile mark. The Tacoma has a slightly longer expected lifespan, reaching between 200,000 to 300,000 miles​​​​.

Is the new Frontier better than the Tacoma?

In a comparison by CarGurus, the 2023 Nissan Frontier scored higher than the Toyota Tacoma in several categories, including technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The Frontier was rated 8.3 out of 10, while the Tacoma scored 7.3 out of 10. The Frontier is recommended for its value, modern technology, and overall competitiveness, while the Tacoma is recommended for its reliability and off-road capabilities​​.

Is the Nissan Frontier the most reliable truck?

The 2019 Nissan Frontier was rated as the most reliable truck from its model year according to J.D. Power's 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study​​. The Frontier, particularly the 2017 and 2015 models, received high reliability ratings from J.D. Power. However, the reliability story of the Nissan Frontier has had its ups and downs, with some model years experiencing more complaints and recalls​​.