Nissan Frontier King Cab 2022 Review

Nissan's Frontier finally — finally! — gets a full redesign for 2022. The previous-generation truck debuted all the way back for the 2005 model year. By 2021, the Frontier was way behind other midsize trucks in regards to technology, comfort, and towing and hauling performance. Thankfully, this year's much-improved 2022 Frontier has greater appeal.

On the outside, the Frontier gets more upright styling for a more rugged look. There's less change under the sheetmetal, as the new Frontier shares a lot of mechanical bits with the previous model, including the 310-horsepower V6 that Nissan introduced a few years ago. The interior gets a major renovation, however. The cabin and center button layout look much more deserving of a modern midsize truck, for instance, and Nissan has added many new technology and advanced driver aid features.

Overall, the 2022 Frontier is a competitive pick among rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's take on the Frontier's improvements and where it still comes up a little short.

Which Frontier does MatoCar recommend?

The redesigned 2022 Frontier is a midsize truck that comes in two body styles: an extended cab with two doors (King Cab) and a four-door crew cab. The extended cab comes with a 6-foot cargo bed, while the crew cab has either a 5-foot bed or 6-foot bed. There are three trim levels: S, SV and, for the crew-cab only, Pro-4X.

Powering every Frontier is a 3.8-liter V6 (310 horsepower, 281 lb-ft of torque) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive (with low-range gearing) is optional.

Feature availability can vary slightly depending on the body style, but in general expect these features on the Frontier:

S Gets you the basics, including:

• 16-inch wheels
• Push-button start
• Cloth upholstery
• Tilt-only steering wheel
• Six-speaker sound system
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

SV Similar to the S but with:

• 17-inch wheels
• Power-adjustable driver's seat

There are two optional packages for the SV that you can't get on the S.

SV Convenience package

• Spray-in bedliner
• Adjustable bed tie-down cleats
• Bed under-rail lighting
• Two household-style power outlets
• Heated mirrors
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Trailer hitch with wiring harness
• Proximity keyless entry
• Dual-zone automatic climate control

SV Premium package

• 10-speaker Fender sound system
• Simulated leather upholstery
• LED headlights
• Sunroof

Pro-4X On top of the SV's features, the Pro-4X has:

• Bilstein shock absorbers
• Extra skid plates
• Locking rear differential (for enhanced traction when off-roading)
• Dark-painted wheels with all-terrain tires
• LED headlights
• 10-speaker sound system
• 9-inch touchscreen

There's a Pro Convenience package for the Pro-4X that's similar to the SV's Convenience package. It has those features plus:

• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Frontier and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Wireless smartphone charging pad

Similarly, the Pro Premium package takes the SV Premium package and adds:

• Leather upholstery
• Upgraded interior trim

All Frontiers are eligible for the safety-oriented Technology package. It includes:

• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Frontier and the car in front)