The Truck With the Best Resale Value Isn’t the Toyota Tacoma
We have shocking news for Toyota Tacoma fans because it may have lost its crown to the Nissan Frontier. This is quite the turn of events because the 2023 Toyota Tacoma outsells the 2023 Nissan Frontier by nearly triple. So, why does the Frontier have an advantage?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier has the best resale value
Surprise, the 2023 Nissan Frontier is the truck with the best resale value. It beats popular contenders like the 2023 Toyota Tacoma and the 2023 Ford F-150, which is honestly unexpected.
If you take a look at sales records, the Frontier sold 76,183 models in America last year, but the Tacoma moved 237,323 trucks. So the Tacoma beat the Frontier by 161,140 models. It’s clearly more popular.
However, the Frontier is projected to maintain up to 88.6% of its value after five years of ownership. The Tacoma is expected to retain about 87.6% of its value. This gives the Frontier a narrow lead, but it’s still in first.
Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma
The 2023 Nissan Frontier has a slightly higher starting price with an MSRP of $29,190. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma rings in at $28,600, but that’s only a difference of $590.
Plus, the Frontier has the best-in-class standard engine. The 3.8-liter V6 engine cranks out 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. The Tacoma has a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque.
Tacoma buyers can upgrade to the 3.5-liter V6 engine for 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Frontier can tow up to 6,720 lbs and can carry a payload of up to 1,610 lbs.
The Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,685 lbs. The difference is pretty minor, but both trucks fall behind the Chevy Colorado and Jeep Gladiator, which can tow up to 7,700 lbs.
Both trucks offer a five-foot or six-foot bed configuration. However, the standard Tacoma has a tough composite bed and doesn’t need a liner. It features movable cleats as well.
Surprisingly, the basic Tacoma provides more value with dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, a Wifi hotspot, satellite radio, a sliding rear window, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Is the 2023 Frontier more reliable than the 2023 Tacoma?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier has a reliability rating of 83 out of 100 from J.D.Power. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma also earned a score of 83. This puts both trucks in the above-average category. Scores between 81 and 90 are above average, while anything between 91 and 100 is best.
You can expect the average Frontier to last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles. Meanwhile, the average Tacoma is expected to last over 300,000 miles. But proper care and maintenance is key. For now, the Tacoma is seen as the more reliable truck in terms of longevity.
The Frontier may have a better resale value because of its stout engine power and more modern tech. It was fully redesigned in 2022. The aging 2023 Tacoma only had minor updates since 2016.
But these resale values could change as the remodeled 2024 Tacoma hits the streets. It could be less reliable than older models. We also need to see how its ride quality and hybrid power hold up, so stay tuned for updates.
