2024 Ford Ranger vs. 2024 Nissan Frontier: Midsize Truck Trials
Regarding the American automotive industry, the steadfast pickup truck has been a top seller for decades. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, the midsize pickup truck has been a favorite for many truck buyers. Midsize trucks offer the best of both worlds by typically offering more power than compact truck offerings but remaining smaller and more practical than other full-size pickups on the market. This smaller size makes them much easier to live with in urban and suburban environments, becoming a hot seller for a diverse spread of consumers.
Currently, two midsize pickups on the market are stirring up headlines due to recent and needed redesigns. First is the 2024 Nissan Frontier, which got a ground-up redesign for the 2022 model year and introduced a class hardbody look for its current model. There’s also the 2024 Ford Ranger, which was redesigned for the 2024 model year. So, how do these midsize pickup offerings stack up against each other? Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Ford Ranger and the 2024 Nissan Frontier and how they compare in power, cargo space, and price.
When it comes to power, the Ford wins with a smaller engine
The Nissan Frontier comes equipped with a V6 engine as standard equipment. According to Edmunds, this dual overhead cam engine produces 310 horsepower and generates around 281 lb-ft of torque. In its base form, the Nissan Frontier sends all its power to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, this Frontier has a maximum towing capacity of 6,640 pounds and a max payload capacity of 1,590 pounds. This is incredibly impressive for a midsize pickup truck. However, the newly redesigned Ford Ranger produces more usable power with a smaller engine.
The 2024 Ford Ranger comes standard with a small engine and a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to the rear wheels, with an optional four-wheel drive setup available. This little four-cylinder truck produces around 270 horsepower, and while this may be lower than the Nissan’s 310 horsepower V6, the Ranger has more torque at 310 lb-ft. This extra boost in torque gives the Ford Ranger a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and a max payload of 1,805 pounds when properly equipped. With more usable power, the Ford Ranger wins this round.
The Frontier has more cargo room, while the Ranger has more passenger space
The 2024 Ford Ranger offers a solid amount of cargo space. The base Ford Ranger comes with a 59.6-inch bed and seating for five in a spacious crew cab setup. In fact, the 2024 Ford Ranger is only offered in a crew cab configuration, regardless of trim level. For many families, this is perfect. By offering a four-door, five-seater as the only option, it is easy to see that Ford sees the value in focusing on trucks with a larger seating capacity and a smaller bed.
However, the Nissan Frontier kills the competition by offering an enormous bed. In its base form, the Nissan Frontier comes with a 73.3-inch bed. No, this isn’t achieved by making the Frontier a single cab with seating for two. The Frontier comes standard in a King Cab configuration with seating for four. Of course, the Nissan Frontier is offered in a short bed with a crew cab if you’d like the option. However, because the Nissan offers a bed over 6 feet long with seating for four passengers, the Frontier easily wins the crown for best cargo space offerings.
The Nissan Frontier beats the Ford Ranger in pricing
When it comes to value, the Ford Ranger isn’t the best. The Ranger starts at $32,565 MSRP. For this price, some features include a 10-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto, cruise control, 17-inch wheels, lane keep assist, and pre-collision warning. This Ranger also comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty alongside a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. While these features may seem solid for a midsize base pickup truck, the Ford F-150, which is a much more capable truck, can be had for only a few thousand more at $34,585. The F-150 is also available as a hybrid as well. If you are shopping for a pickup truck, it’s hard to see the value of a Ford Ranger.
The Nissan Frontier offers a much lower starting price at $29,770 MSRP. Yep, the Frontier starts at under $30,000. For that price, you get a bed over 6 feet long, a V6 engine, and radical throwback styling. The Frontier also comes with standard keyless ignition, cruise control, an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Andriod Auto, with 16-inch wheels. The Frontier also matches Ford’s warranty, with a standard three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Ranger is more high-tech, while the Frontier is a better-looking value buy
While the Ranger is built by Ford, the best in the business when it comes to pickup trucks, the Nissan Frontier simply offers a more concrete value option for many truck shoppers.
The Frontier generates more horsepower, has a large base engine, a bigger bed, arguably better looks due to its throwback square body, and a much lower price tag. In contrast, the Ford Ranger has more torque and towing capacity, and is more high-tech and flashy with its more recent redesign.
Still, if you are looking for a midsize pickup truck, don’t let the low price fool you; the Nissan Frontier offers a ton of features for its low price tag.
