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TacomaGeneral discussion forum for the 2005 and later Toyota Tacoma.
This is a discussion thread titled "Frontier vs. Tacoma (Round 2)", within the Tacoma forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
I got the chance to look at the Tacoma and Frontier today. Just from reading the specs on-line it looked like the Nissan frontier had the edge but after looking at them up close here are a few things I found.
This is a comparison between the 4x2 and 4x4 Frontier Nismo and the 4x2 and 4x4 TRD off-road.
---Frame and body---
While the frontier does have a fully boxed frame with ladder cross members, it sits about an inch and a half (aprox) lower than the Tacoma. I had a noticeably more difficult time looking under the frame on the frontier rather than the Tacoma. Frontiers frame appears to be stiffer.
[[[Frontier failed the elbow test while Tacoma passed with room to spare-- the elbow test is a very simple ground clearance test, all you do is place your hand flat against the ground and position your elbow to point to the sky. If you cant get your elbow all the way up, the vehicle fails the test]]]
There was more space between the tire and the top of the wheel well in the Tacoma than there was in the Frontier, however to be fair the frontier comes with 265/75R16's while the Tacoma has smaller 265/70R16's. It did seem like the Tacoma had more wheel travel despite the slightly smaller tires, since the difference should only be about .5 inches between the wheel well and the tire.
The TRD also came with progressively wound coils unlike the frontier, if im wrong about that is was because I could not see the springs well enough on the frontier. Both came with Blistine mono-tube shocks.
The frontier does come with both engine AND fuel tank METEL skid plates while the Tacoma only has a plastic fuel tank protector. However, the frontier should have metal plates because the fuel tank hangs about a half inch LOWER than the frame not including the skid plate (with the skid plate included its hangs almost a full inch and was the first things I noticed when I stuck my head under the chassis.
In front the Tacoma had one beefy tow hook and one thinner tow hook, BUT the frontier only had one hook and it wasn’t in the center, it was off to the side. Very strange on both Toyota's and Nissan's part.
Approach and departure angles on the Frontier are significantly smaller than Tacoma’s.
Frontiers roof rack is noticeably big and shinny, but how functional it is will be determined by experience.
---Drive train----
Under the hood both engines had good access to most parts and were easily identifiable (Intake, spark plugs, fuel injectors, drive belt, ect.) The Frontier seems to have less extra space than Tacoma’s engine compartment.
The exhaust systems on both trucks look vulnerable, especially where the pipes cross over and join together.
On the Tacoma 4x4's the pipe crosses up front DIRRECTLY under the transfer case (on non 4x4's the pipe crosses where the T-case should be, it leaves a space for it and sits in the same position as on 4x4's) however it does not hang under the frame but in fact sits right next to a cross member as to offer some kind of protection.
The frontier has its crossover pipe nearer to the middle of the frame, at first I thought it was a shiny looking frame cross member but, surprise surprise, it was the exhaust crossover pipe. It sits even with the frame just like the Tacoma. In my opinion, this is a bad move. Not only does it cross right in the middle of the frame but there is not frame cross member in sight to protect it.
The Tacoma’s drive shaft was black (covered with some sort of protective paint) and its linkages looked beefy, with no signs of rust. The frontiers drive shaft was a dull silver color with clear brown rust patches. Curiously the thick drive shaft on the frontier thinned out to a 1 1/2 inch diameter, what could only be described as a pole, right before it entered the rear differential. It looked to be the weakest part of the frontier shaft.
---Bed---
The frontiers bed was sprayed with a liner that seemed to feel like it had more grip. The Tacoma’s "liner" (if you could call it that) is bolted directly to the frame and seemed smoother. Frontiers bed had deep grooves, grooves big enough to fit two tie down rails in the grooves. Frontiers rail system is about twice as wide and looks twice as thick as Tacoma’s. The frontier had 4 rails as opposed to the 3 deck mounted systems on the Tacoma. The tailgate on the frontier is not sprayed with the liner.
The frontiers gate also seemed to be thicker. Even though its just hollow space between the front and back of the gate, frontiers gate "seemed" like it could hold more weight than the Tacoma. However the specs are probably rated for the same weight.
Frontier featured a locking gate which none of the Tacoma’s had.
--Interior--
I realize that everyone has there own taste about what an interior should look like so I will try to keep this as objective as possible.
Frontiers steering wheel has cruise control and stereo control levers and buttons, which the Tacoma did not have. Also Frontier comes with 6-inch "subs" (true subs are about 10 inches) mounted under the seats, something tacoma also lacks. The frontier had many seat controls and other bells and whistles (heated seats for example). But with all that going for it the cab looked a dull brownsh black and it didn't seem like all the peices were desinged to fit together. Tacomas two-tone cab was very lexus-esq, minus the wood trim and leather.
My opinion-
With all that I find Tacoma cockpit more stylish, and fun to drive. I would rather have a frontier cockpit dirty than a Tacoma. Also Tacoma’s materials seemed to be more expensive. Again if that’s true it's only speculation.
Conclusion-
Tacoma seems to be the superior off-road vehicle (mountains, snowy roads), while the frontier seems to be the more city off road truck (construction sites, rough roads, dirt bikes). Personally I would choose the Tacoma manly do to the fact that it would be more benifical to me since I work at a ski resort and the tacoma would better handle snow, mudslides, and hazardous mountain terrain.
Feel free to add anything or call me out on anything that’s wrong.
Things I noticed in addition to the above writeup:
The rear seats in the crew cab Frontier are far more upright than in the new Tacoma. The seatback angle reminded me of the previous gen Tacoma. Rear seats have a center fold-down arm rest which the Tacoma lacks.
Also, Frontier lists A/C with rear vents on the window sticker. Really, they use the underseat heat duct and it doesn't blow very hard unless you set the control to utilize the lower vents in the front seating area as well. With the A/C control set to "Max A/C", very little cooled air was being sent to the rear seat area - if any (important if you have kids back there...hot = grumpy). The system was so poor, I don't know why they bothered to list it as a feature.
After spending a lot of time going over the truck on the lot, I was asked for the 10th time if I wanted to take it out for a spin. Based on my evaluation of the fit, finish, materials, and design of the interior...I declined. I postponed my Tacoma purchase in order to compare it directly to the Frontier, and other than the bed having a more "solid" feel on the Frontier, I think the Tacoma wins my vote overall. I must admit I was a bit disappointed...but the Tacoma wasn't all I hoped it would be either.
My question is overall interior size of the back seat. Which truck is larger?
The deciding factor for me will be the winner of this issue because I will be placing a car seat in the rear. From the outside, it looks as if the Tacoma is a larger truck, but does this translate to more room on the inside?
Neither truck is particularly spacious in the back seat. However, the Tacoma feels like it would be more comfortable over a longer period of time because the seatback angle is less upright and therefore, more comfortable. I am pretty short and I find it to be a tight squeeze in the Frontier...it seemed that the rear door was a bit narrower, making entry / exit slighlty more difficult.
However, I will be up front in the seat with the wheel infront of it and kids are small and flexible...like little Gumbys.
My question is overall interior size of the back seat. Which truck is larger?
The deciding factor for me will be the winner of this issue because I will be placing a car seat in the rear. From the outside, it looks as if the Tacoma is a larger truck, but does this translate to more room on the inside?
Check some of the other threads. I'm doing the car seat thing as well for a 2 year old. Fits fine. Some have said that they put two seats in the rear on the DC Tacoma with no problem... other than your kid may kick the back of the seats... I have this "problem" in my Sienna as well so it's a non-issue for me.
I went through great pains trying to decide on which truck to purchase looking hard at both the Frontier and Tacoma. In a nutshell, the main thing the Nissan has going for it is "value" -- could have gotten sunroof, 10 speaker 370 watt stereo, side airbags, traction control and bed extender for same price as my Tacoma. HOWEVER, the main things the Tacoma has going for it are: (1) much better ride quality... (2) interior design and comfort and (3) reputation. The overall "driveability and livability" of the Tacoma was just much better in my opinion. Since I spend a large amount of time in my truck, this was high on my priority list. Regarding the rear seats, I do believe the Tacoma has more room and, to a previous point that was made, the angle of the seat makes the experience much more comfortable. I have a car seat in mine with no problems at all.
A word about Nissan's factory spray-in liner (by PPG), since that's my specialty.
Nissan has had a LOT of problems with it. Originally, it was way too thin, now some are bubbling and owners are now (after a year or so) complaining of severe fading. Here are some pics of a faded factory Titan bedliner. Keep in mind this same bedliner is what's being offered in the Frontier:
Wow, I wonder if any Tacomas have this problem. That fade is really extream, do you know if it was sun expousre that caused it or a result of the bed usage?
A word about Nissan's factory spray-in liner (by PPG), since that's my specialty.
Are any Tacoma owners doing a spray on top of the composite bed? Is it worth it? I am at least getting a bed mat for mine, but wondering if a spray-in is better/worth it?
Hey all. I'm going to buy a new truck very soon, and am torn between the 05 frontier, and the tacoma. I hadn't even thought about the frontier, untill I'd seen numerous threads start poping up with all the problems of the new tacoma's. I've read that there are numerous threads indicating that the fronty's have had problems as well, but I can't seem to find any, other than an occasional engine noise. However, I've seen numerous forums with 05 tacoma probs, and I'm not sure if I want to even consider buying one now. If anyone knows where I can find some good info on the comparison of these two trucks(especially the problems of the two), you'd really be helping me out. Thanks for any feedback.
Frontier vs. Tacoma (Round 2)
and kids are small and flexible...like little Gumbys.
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