Here’s What the 2023 Nissan Frontier Gets Right
Our action-packed week with the new Nissan Frontier provided an eye-opening experience that we’re still processing. This truck has its highs and lows, with tons to consider against rivals. It shouldn’t be ignored as a serious contender. Check out what the 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X gets right.
What comes with the 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X is loaded with enhanced off-roading equipment and luxurious features for comfort and convenience. It has a 9.5-inch ground clearance and rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in beefy all-terrain tires.
It has Bilstein shock absorbers, extra skid plates, red tow hooks, a locking rear differential, standard 4×4, LED headlights, a 360-degree camera, hill descent control, hill start assist, and automatic limited slip braking.
It also has upgraded leather upholstery, zero gravity bucket seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a premium Fender audio system, a wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a spray-in bed liner, a sunroof, heated mirrors, proximity keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, a trailer hitch with the wiring harness, and household style outlets.
1. The 2023 Nissan Frontier is cozy
On a cold and rainy day, the 2023 Nissan Frontier is a warm and inviting truck. When it was misting up in the mountains, and the high was 42 degrees, the Frontier felt warm, dry, and comfortable.
The automatic climate control adjusts to the perfect temperature, and the side-bolstering on the zero-gravity seats provides a supportive hug. We were worried because the floor mats are carpeted, and we usually need rubberized all-weather mats.
However, the plush carpet stood up to mud, dirt, and moisture without struggling. They are soft and easy to clean. The interior didn’t get too hot, and the windows didn’t fog up with the defrost system on.
The truck stays cool during hot afternoons as well. The leather seats don’t stick to your legs, but we wouldn’t mind ventilated seats.
2. The 2023 Frontier has satisfying power
The 2023 Nissan Frontier has a standard 3.8-liter direct injection V6 engine with the best-in-class 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. That’s more standard power than the Toyota Tacoma has to offer.
It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 73 seconds. It’s eager to get off the line with confident brakes and confident handling. It has no issues merging into traffic, passing others, or tackling mud and ruts.
The Frontier glides over larger impacts but gets a little shaky over lighter imperfections in the pavement. Despite the heavy steering at lower speeds and wide turning radius, the Frontier is a lot of fun for daily driving and off-roading.
3. The Frontier has plenty of storage
The 2023 Nissan Frontier is loaded with trays and cubbies. There is a cubby above the infotainment system in the middle of the dash, a tray in front of the cupholders, and another one in front of the center console.
You’ll find that the glove box is shallow but wide, and the glove box is tight but useful. The door pockets are convenient and can hold a bottle of water. Also, the door pockets are pretty handy. But there could be more cup holders in the rear.
The front seats have tons of adjustment controls for short and tall drivers. You can place items in front of the passenger’s feet with abundant room under the dash.
Also, the rear seats are easy to access with wide door openings. You can flip the rear cushions up to access the under-seat storage system and fold the seats down to create a flat cargo floor.
4. The 2023 Frontier interior is a serious upgrade
The 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X has a high-quality, attractive interior with upscale materials. The black leather upholstery invites the eye with pops of Lava Red accent stitching and trim pieces. Metal accents on the door handles and controls complete the look.
It has a simple, intuitive interior design with everything you need placed within reach. There are retro touches, such as the parking brake that you set with your foot. The sunroof is a bit small but allows natural light to enter the cabin.
The soft-touch materials, plush carpeting, and black headliner craft a luxury ambiance. The Fender audio system covers wind and road noise with a crisp quality.
Some people may prefer more physical controls, but the massive touchscreen works well. The digital guage cluster and infotainment system feel dated but do the job. There is tons of visibility out the front, but the sides of the truck are blocked by massive blind spots.
The Frontier is fast, fun, comfortable, spacious, and capable. The interior is well done with innovative storage solutions. But the Frontier has a few cons, such as heavy steering, to consider. Stay tuned for our full review.