The 2025 Nissan Frontier has a comfortable ride and respectable towing and hauling capacities. It doesn't fully stand out in any particular area compared to newer midsize trucks but could still be worth a look, especially if you can get a deal on one.Read full review
Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
Pros
Smooth ride quality
Stable and secure handling
Helpful storage spaces for small items
Cons
Odd layout of some controls and on-screen menus
Steering is overly heavy
Less rear seat space than other midsize crew-cab trucks
What's new
Refreshed front grille and bumper design
Telescoping steering column standard on all trims
Long bed now available with more crew-cab trims
Part of the third Frontier generation for 2022
Overview
The Frontier is a midsize truck offered in two cab sizes and two bed lengths, with rear- or four-wheel drive. It comes with a single powertrain, a 3.8-liter V6 and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Frontier was all-new in 2022, though it still lacked some of the merits of its primary competitors. But Nissan is continually improving the truck and has made meaningful changes for 2025.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Nissan Frontier S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.99 per gallon for regular unleaded in Wisconsin.
Edmunds spotlight: Nissan ups the Frontier's game for 2025
One of our gripes since the Frontier's 2022 redesign was the difficulty of finding a comfortable driving position, due largely to the lack of a telescoping steering column. Nissan rectified that problem for 2025 — all trim levels now get that feature. There's also a revised dashboard design that accommodates a 12.3-inch touchscreen on SV and higher trims. Towing capacity is increased to 7,150 pounds, which puts it about in the middle of the class. Perhaps the most significant change is the addition of the crew-cab/long-bed configuration to the three upper trims. The configuration was previously only available on a single trim.
Competitors to consider
The Frontier has a solid list of capable rivals. The freshest of these are the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger, which were both new in 2024. The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon twins were new in 2023. All of these are traditional trucks with multiple output options, different cab and bed configurations, and dedicated off-road trims. The Honda Ridgeline should be considered if you're after comfort, space and practical storage. It's also the best-handling truck of the group.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our Verdict
The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.6
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Nissan Frontier has a comfortable ride and respectable towing and hauling capacities. It doesn't fully stand out in any particular area compared to newer midsize trucks but could still be worth a look, especially if you can get a deal on one.
How does the Frontier drive? The Frontier isn't the quickest midsize truck. Our Frontier Pro-4X test truck (this is the off-road-oriented trim) accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is an average time for the class. But the engine really shines in day-to-day driving. There's ample midrange grunt and the transmission doles out smooth shifts even under full-throttle acceleration. The Frontier's brakes are similarly effortless. They're easy to operate in city traffic as well as powerful enough to stop the truck promptly when you need it.
Confident handling is another bright spot for the Frontier. The truck feels planted around turns, even with the Pro-4X test truck's all-terrain tires. But the very heavy steering is a head-scratcher. It requires a considerable amount of effort to maneuver the Nissan through a parking lot or over a trail at low speeds. On the upside, the Frontier can take on its fair share of rugged terrain.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Frontier? The highlight here is the Frontier's comfortable ride quality. Big dips and bumps are simply shrugged off at high speeds, and the Frontier remains similarly composed around town. Other aspects of the Frontier aren't as polished. The front seat's padding is a bit too firm and flat, and a lack of seat adjustments means you might find it hard to settle into an optimal seating position.
The climate control system is relatively straightforward to operate and is able to maintain a comfortable temperature on a hot day. But we were disappointed that our Frontier didn't have air vents for rear passengers. We also noticed an excessive amount of wind noise on the highway.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? Nissan has certainly come a long way with its design of interiors, and the Frontier benefits from many of those advances. The large, easy-to-read infotainment touchscreen dominates the interior and still leaves more than enough room for climate control and various other buttons. However, some of those buttons aren't logically laid out and can be hard to find at times. The clumsy instrument panel menus and their steering wheel-mounted controls could benefit from a rethink too.
Rear passengers won't be too happy since the Frontier's rear legroom is definitely on the tight side for adults. Outward visibility is on par for the class. There is an optional surround-view camera system for the Frontier. It can help make parking easier, but the camera views are disappointingly low-resolution and grainy.
Save as much as $5,267 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,267 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the SV trim.
2025 Nissan Frontier King Cab pricing in Oshkosh, WI
How’s the tech? The Frontier has a standard 8-inch touchscreen or optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. Wireless smartphone charging is an option, as is the 10-speaker Fender audio system. The Fender system makes decent sound, but its subwoofer takes up some valuable rear underseat storage.
Standard on all Frontiers are driver assists such as driver attention warning, automatic emergency braking and trailer sway control. We found the systems to work well and they gave no false alerts in our testing.
Towing and Storage
7.5/10
How are the towing and storage? The Frontier's maximum payload stands at 1,480 pounds, and max trailering is 7,150 pounds. The latter is certainly enough to allow you to pull a small or midsize trailer without too much difficulty. Optional add-ons include adjustable tie-down cleats, a spray-in bedliner, underrail lighting and a 120-volt power outlet
There's ample storage inside the cab thanks to a large tray in front of the shifter, cupholders and the space where the optional wireless charging tray sits. As a bonus, the underarm center console is large enough to hold a couple of water bottles. The door pockets for front and rear passengers are about average size.
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that a Frontier with four-wheel drive will get 19 mpg combined in city/highway driving, which is average for a 4WD midsize truck with a V6. We had no problem confirming that number on our real-world evaluation route, where our Frontier test truck returned 19.9 mpg.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Frontier a good value? Nissan's pricing for the Frontier is comparable to what you'll pay for other midsize trucks. Our Pro-4X test truck's build quality was solid too. Nissan's warranty coverage trails most of the class. It offers a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. At three years/36,000 miles, roadside assistance is a bit shorter than most, and free maintenance is not included.
Wildcard
7.5/10
The Nissan Frontier is comfortable and easy to live with. We also like that the truck looks distinctive without going over the top.
Which Frontier does Edmunds recommend?
The SV trim level is a small jump in cost from the base S trim and it adds only a few standard features, but it opens the door to the optional SV Convenience package, which adds utilitarian features like a bedliner, tie downs, a trailer hitch and trailer wiring. Heated seats, the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also included.
OFF-ROAD BATTLE: Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma | Has the Tacoma Met Its Match?
The Nissan Frontier gets a slew of updates inside and out for 2025 that make it a much more competitive midsize truck — but are they enough to keep up with the best-selling Toyota Tacoma? Join Edmunds’ Emme Hall in this comparison test video as we take these two trucks off-road to find out.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
Not Rated
Back Seat
Not Rated
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
3 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
20.4%
FAQ
Is the Nissan Frontier a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Frontier both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Nissan Frontier. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Nissan Frontier?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Nissan Frontier:
To determine whether the Nissan Frontier is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Frontier. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Frontier's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Nissan Frontier a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Nissan Frontier is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Frontier and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Frontier is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Nissan Frontier?
The least-expensive 2025 Nissan Frontier is the 2025 Nissan Frontier S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $32,050.
Other versions include:
S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $32,050
SV 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $34,390
S 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $35,050
SV 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A) which starts at $37,690
If you're interested in the Nissan Frontier, the next question is, which Frontier model is right for you? Frontier variants include S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A), SV 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A), S 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A), and SV 4dr King Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.8L 6cyl 9A). For a full list of Frontier models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more