2023 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

When comparing the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X and the Toyota Tacoma who comes out on top? In terms of sales, the Toyota Tacoma has long been the dominant midsize pickup truck, but with a revamp to the Nissan Frontier for 2023, will it still be in that number one spot?

Our team at Maus Nissan of North Tampa compares the two to find out!

2023 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Overview

Under the hood, you will find a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine that is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel economy comes in at 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway.

2023 Toyota Tacoma Overview

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma base engine is a 2.7-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that offers 159 horsepower and 180 pound-foot of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy comes in at 20 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway.

Performance

Compared to the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, the 2023 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X offers a much more powerful V6 base engine versus the Tacoma’s 4-cylinder. On top of that, the Frontier offers more horsepower and torque than the Tacoma.

The Tacoma does slightly edge the Frontier out regarding its maximum towing capacity. The Tacoma offers 6,800 pounds, while the Frontier’s maximum is 6,720.

Comfort + Utility

When redesigning the Frontier for 2023, Nissan engineers were careful to keep the truck the same length as the previous model. Customer research has shown that buyers like a length of 210 inches. The Tacoma is two inches longer than the Frontier.

Both Frontier and Tacoma trucks come in two cab sizes. The Nissan King Cab and Toyota Access Cab are similar. But the two Frontier cabs offer more rear-seat legroom, headroom, and shoulder room than the Tacoma cabs.

The 2023 Frontier’s cargo box is larger and has taller sidewalls than the Tacoma, and it also offers an optional multi-track system with adjustable tie-down cleats as an option on the SV and PRO trims. These can also be outfitted with a spray-in bed liner.

Inside, the 2023 Frontier benefits from its upgrades compared to the older-designed Tacoma. The Frontier has a more modern dash and instrument display with ergonomic controls. It also comes with 8-way power front seats on all Frontier trims except the base S. The rear seats in the Frontier Crew Cab are split 60/40 with storage below.

The 2023 Toyota Access Cab models accommodate four passengers, but the rear seat is small and uncomfortable. Like the Frontier, it has 60/40 split rear seats with under-seat storage.

Safety Features

Both trucks offer several advanced driver assistance systems. On the passive-safety side, both trucks meet or exceed all federal safety regulations, including airbags, seat belts, and crush zones.

Every 2023 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X comes standard with:

• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection

It also has the option to upgrade to Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 which adds lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control is also available.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma also has several standard safety features that are grouped into what Toyota calls Safety Sense P. These features include adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

In this safety feature comparison, the Nissan Frontier comes out on top.

Infotainment + Technology

The Frontier’s infotainment and technology offerings were upgraded when the all-new 2023 Frontier was launched. At the same time, Toyota revamped some of its infotainment technology with some improvements to the Tacoma’s infotainment system.

The 2023 Frontier PRO-4X comes with a 7-inch gauge and driver information display which is among the largest in the midsize pickup class. A 9-inch touchscreen is standard in the PRO-4X trim. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM Satellite radio are offered. Voice recognition is standard across the Frontier lineup. A wireless device charging page and an integrated navigation system are standard in the PRO-4X trim.

The PRO-4X has a 10-speaker audio system, plus a Wi-Fi hotspot and a surround-view camera with an off-road mode. Four USB ports come standard in the Frontier Crew Cabs, and two in the King Cabs.

The 2023 Tacoma comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display and Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM. Hands-free Bluetooth streaming for audio and phone, a USB media port, and two USB charging ports are also included.

Bottom Line

As you can see, though the Toyota Tacoma has been in the lead for years, the 2023 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X edges it out of its top spot due to a more powerful engine, more safety features, and upgraded amenities inside and out.

The 2023 Frontier PRO-4X wins in this comparison!

Visit Maus Nissan of North Tampa

Ready to see why the Frontier earned our top spot? Come visit our team at Maus Nissan of North Tampa to take the PRO-4X for a test drive or give us a call at (813) 800-6287 for more information!