The 2023 Nissan Frontier Struggles Against Declining Sales
It’s time to check in on our old friend, the Nissan Frontier. It sort of got pushed to the back of the pack because attention has been on the redesigned Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma lately. But does the 2023 Nissan Frontier deserve more time in the spotlight, or do declining sales make sense?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier faces declining sales
The numbers are in, but they aren’t exactly in favor of the 2023 Nissan Frontier. Based on a few sales figures posted by Ford Authority, we can gather that the Frontier isn’t doing as well as it did in 2022.
During the second quarter of 2022, the Frontier moved 20,761 units, but the in second quarter of 2023, it only sold 17,213 models. This doesn’t seem like much of a decrease, but it comes out to roughly 3,584 fewer trucks.
Also, the Frontier sold 43,166 during this time period last year but is only at 34,139 sales this year. The Frontier has only fallen behind by about 9,027 models so far this year, but things could change. The deficit may get bigger or smaller.
To be fair, every midsize truck except for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma faces declining sales. Also, the 2023 Tacoma is one of the most outdated options in the bunch. The Colorado and Canyon are brand new.
Also, the Frontier is the second most popular truck. The Colorado is right on its heels, with the best chance to catch up. We don’t expect the 2023 Ranger or Canyon to catch up this year.
How reliable is the 2023 Frontier?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier has a reliability rating of 83 out of 100 from J.D.Power. That’s pretty good and places it in the above-average category. Anything between 81 to 90 is above average, while scores between 70 to 80 are average, and anything between 91 to 100 is best.
We wondered if a lower reliability score would hurt the Frontier’s sales, but it’s on par with rivals. The 2023 Tacoma also got an 83, while the 2023 Ranger earned an 86. The Colorado got a score of 85.
You can expect the average Frontier truck to last between 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Properly maintained Frontier models can surpass 200,000 miles.
This is a little concerning because the average Toyota Tacoma model is expected to make it past 300,000 miles. There are plenty of examples that have accrued over 400,000 miles. So, the Frontier may not have a durable, long-lasting reputation like the Tacoma.
What makes the Frontier worth buying?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier has an advantage when it comes to power. The standard 3.8-liter V6 engine cranks out 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.4 seconds, which is average for its class.
It has responsive handling and a pretty smooth ride. It handles larger imperfections better than smaller imperfections in the pavement. Plus, it excels with a solid off-roading performance even if the Tacoma TRD Pro can go further.
While there is plenty of storage space for personal items, it doesn’t have as much cargo space as its rivals. Also, it can only tow up to 6,720 lbs, while the Chevy Colorado can tow up to 7,700 lbs.
While the Frontier is a well-rounded, comfortable, and affordable option, it might be losing sales due to not having the best reputation for reliability. It also can’t tow as much as its rivals. But things could change as the year progresses, so stay tuned.
