There’s no hiding the fact that the 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X is in direct competition with the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. But is the competition heating up? Let’s take a look at some numbers and see if with think the new Nissan pickup truck opponent will affect Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro sales this year.

The Toyota Tacoma has been America’s best-selling mid-size pickup for 16 years in a row, including outselling its nearest two competitor by more than two-to-one in 2020. Tacoma is setting up 2021 for another winning year by adding two new options that include Nightshade Edition and the Trail Special Edition.

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When does the 2022 Nissan Frontier go on sale?

The 2022 Nissan Frontier and its option Pro-4X package don’t officially go on sale in the U.S. until this summer. According to Nissan, the new Frontier is “one of the most durable in the mid-size truck segment.” That’s big talk when you enter in competition with a truck like the Toyota Tacoma and its historic durability.

We have no doubt that the 2022 Nissan Frontier is a fine truck. The Pro-4X package will make it more capable off-road. However, it’s entering an increasingly cut-throat compact pickup segment. Plus––although pricing isn’t officially released––it’s expected by sources like Edmunds to start just under $30 grand.

Will the 2021 Toyota Tacoma maintain its legendary status?

The Toyota Tacoma has been North America’s best-selling compact pickup truck for 16 consecutive years. It’s hard to believe that the Nissan Frontier’s new release will suddenly slow that momentum. According to GoodCarBadCar the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is already crushing in terms of sales.

In fact, it’s sold about 50,000 more units than the Nissan Frontier. So how much ground will Nissan gain with the 2022 Frontier when it comes out? Time will only tell. But it’s hard to believe the gap will close enough to breach the Taco’s sales numbers.

When a truck has held the top spot for so long, it eventually gets a target on its back. The Taco is the leading compact pickup truck in spite of reviews citing its antiquated tech and choppy ride. It’s a truck after all. And the Toyota Tacoma maintains its legendary status as the best-selling compact pickup truck.

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro might be in danger, but only a little bit

If we look at this logically, it’s easy to see that virtually every 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X sale will mean that somewhere out there a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is still waiting for its new owner. So, sure. The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro might be in a little danger. But we also have to take into account that some who opt out of a TRD Pro model may just choose a different Tacoma model, like the new Trail Edition Taco.

We can reasonably assume that the TRD Pro Taco sales numbers won’t hurt too much. It’s hard to mess with a legend. Still, Nissan is upping its game and it’s going to be exciting to see how Toyota responds to the new compact pickup truck competition. Finding out what’s in store for the 2022 Toyota Tacoma becomes increasingly suspenseful as we watch the competition heat up.