Compare the2023 Toyota TacomaVS 2023 Nissan Frontier

The Tacoma’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Frontier.

Both the Tacoma and the Frontier have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tacoma the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 184 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Frontier has not been fully tested, yet.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tacoma for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Frontier.

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Tacoma’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Tacoma has a standard 582-amp battery. The Frontier’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Tacoma’s reliability 29 points higher than the Frontier.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 13th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Tacoma V6 is faster than the Nissan Frontier (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Tacoma gets better mileage than the Frontier:

The Tacoma offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Frontier doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Tacoma 4x4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Frontier:

The Tacoma stops shorter than the Frontier:

The Tacoma Short Bed Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Frontier SV/Midnight’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tacoma Short Bed Limited has standard 18-inch wheels. The Frontier’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Tacoma has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Frontier Crew Cab suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Tacoma has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tacoma flat and controlled during cornering. The Frontier King Cab suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tacoma’s wheelbase is longer than on the Frontier:

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tacoma is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Frontier.

For better maneuverability, the Tacoma’s turning circle is tighter than the Frontier’s:

For greater off-road capability the Tacoma has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Frontier LWB SV Crew Cab (9.4 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the Tacoma to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Tacoma may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Nissan Frontier.

The Tacoma Access Cab has .6 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Frontier King Cab.

The Tacoma Double Cab has .6 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Frontier Crew Cab.

The Tacoma has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Frontier (1685 vs. 1610 lbs.).

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Tacoma has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Frontier doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Tacoma TRD/Limited’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Frontier’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

In addition to a parabolic reflector, optical-grade lenses in the Tacoma’s standard projector headlights precisely focus the beam, providing more even illumination of the road for better visibility and a sharp cut-off that prevents blinding oncoming drivers. The sharp cutoff allows the use of a stronger light. The Frontier’s standard uses a simple reflector to direct its standard headlights.

The Tacoma has standard power remote mirrors. The Frontier S doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Tacoma’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Frontier SV/PRO-X/PRO-4X.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tacoma Double Cab has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Frontier King Cab doesn’t offer rear vents.

The TRD Off-Road was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2016 4x4 of the Year. The Frontier has never been chosen.

The Toyota Tacoma outsold the Nissan Frontier by almost three to one during the 2022 model year.