Have you been looking for a vehicle that will prove capable of handling the occasional DIY job? Still want a ride with the amenities and features accustomed to the daily driver? One type of vehicle that will meet these needs is a midsized pickup. You've got a number of great options within this category, including the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.

Learn more about both of these options and see how they compare, with this Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison from our team here at Dartmouth Nissan. That way, you can determine which is the better fit for you around Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Fall River, MA.

Comparing Engine Performance

When looking for the right midsize pickup, you'll want to find an option that offers an adequate engine performance under the hood. Fortunately, both the Frontier and Tacoma come with impressive powertrains.

Looking at the Tacoma, you'll find a 3.5L V6 engine that delivers 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Similarly, the Frontier offers a 3.8L V6 engine under its hood. As you might guess given the Frontier's edge in engine displacement, it does offer higher outputs, coming ready to pump out 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque.

When looking at how the force is distributed by each engine, you'll also find a difference between these two pickups. While the Toyota comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Frontier was designed with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This means the Nissan is able to better optimize the force it produces, providing a more efficient and effective engine experience.

Hauling for DIY, Adventures, and More

While you may not always need to tow with your midsize pickup, you'll surely want to know that you can when needed. Again, these two SUVs will deliver in this department. The Toyota Tacoma comes ready to haul up to 6,400 pounds, while the Nissan Frontier will prove able to handle up to 6,720 pounds of trailer weight in its standard configuration.1 So, a similar disparity as the one observed with engine outputs can be seen here.

Similarly, the Frontier edges out the Tacoma in terms of payload:

  • Nissan Frontier Max Payload: 1,600 pounds2
  • Toyota Tacoma Max Payload: 1,155 pounds

Technology on Their Interiors

While these two pickups prove plenty capable under the hood, they also feature some exciting interior features. For instance, both vehicles come with impressive multimedia suites that yield you access to important connectivity features.

The Toyota and Nissan both come with systems that offer Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, for example, making it easy to connect your mobile device for calling, texting, and other app functionalities. Though, the Frontier's NissanConnect® system comes with an 8-inch display while the Tacoma's system only comes with a 7-inch display. So, it will be easier to interact with your multimedia system within the Frontier.

Nissan Frontier vs Toyota Tacoma: Conclusion

After reviewing this Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison, it may be evident that the Nissan offers a better performance for local drivers. Whether you want to experience its power or comfortable interior, our team here at Dartmouth Nissan will be waiting to show you the impressive pickup. Just schedule a test drive online when you're ready.

We're proud to serve New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Fall River, Massachusetts, drivers and hope to assist you soon!

1 Towing varies by configuration. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner's Manual for additional information. Always secure cargo.

2 Payload varies by configuration. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner's Manual for additional information. Always secure cargo.

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