Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: Specs by Model Year
Hesperia drivers shopping for a midsize pickup often compare the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. Whether you want a work truck, a reliable pickup for jobs around the house, or an off-roader for your next adventure, both trucks are popular choices in the Apple Valley area and beyond. This page compares the 2027, 2026 and 2025 model years. Read on, then contact us to schedule your test drive.
i-FORCE 2.4L turbo four-cylinder / i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbo hybrid
310 hp @ 6,400 rpm / 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Up to 326 hp / 465 lb-ft (varies by powertrain)
8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual (by grade)
See Toyota for grade availability
King Cab (S only) or Crew Cab
See Toyota for grade-specific ratings
2027 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: Performance
Toyota has not announced a 2027 Tacoma in the sources we checked, so here is the 2027 Nissan Frontier alongside the 2026 Toyota Tacoma, which is the current Tacoma model year.
2027 Nissan Frontier: 3.8L DOHC 24-valve V6
- Horsepower: 310 hp @ 6,400 rpm
- Torque: 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: 4×2 or 4×4
- Maximum towing capacity: up to 7,150 pounds*
2026 Toyota Tacoma
- Engines: i-FORCE 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder, or i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbocharged hybrid powertrain on select grades
- Output: Toyota lists up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, with figures varying by powertrain
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, depending on grade
2027 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: Cab and Bed
The 2027 Frontier comes as a King Cab (S grade only) or a Crew Cab, with a 5-foot or 6-foot bed. The 2026 Tacoma comes as an XtraCab or a Double Cab, also with a 5-foot or 6-foot bed depending on the grade.
2027 Nissan Frontier: Safety and Technology
Nissan lists the following driver assistance features as standard on the 2027 Frontier. Driver-assistance features have limitations, so see the Owner’s Manual for details.
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Warning
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Rear Parking Sensors
- High Beam Assist
- Intelligent Cruise Control
New for 2027, Nissan adds a Sport Edition package for the SV grade, an All-Terrain Tire package, Alpine Metallic paint and a Qi2-compatible wireless charger in the PRO Convenience package.
2026 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: Performance
The 2026 Nissan Frontier keeps the same V6 and 9-speed automatic, so the engine ratings match the year before.
2026 Nissan Frontier: 3.8L DOHC 24-valve V6
- Horsepower: 310 hp @ 6,400 rpm
- Torque: 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Maximum towing capacity: up to 7,150 pounds*
2026 Toyota Tacoma
- Engines: i-FORCE 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder, or i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbocharged hybrid powertrain on select grades
- Output: up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, per Toyota
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, depending on grade
- Cab and bed: XtraCab or Double Cab, with a 5-foot or 6-foot bed
2026 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: What’s New
2026 Nissan Frontier
Nissan added a Dark Armor package with blacked-out styling, an enhanced PRO grade with standard heated front seats, heated steering wheel and remote engine start, a drive mode selector on the SV 4×4 and PRO-4X grades, and Citrus Strike paint.
2026 Toyota Tacoma
Toyota added a black front logo on the TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport and TRD PreRunner grades, new Heritage Blue paint and a tow hitch as standard equipment on SR XtraCab models.
2025 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: Performance
If you drive around Barstow or Adelanto, performance is probably high on your list. Here is how the base engines in the 2025 Frontier and 2025 Tacoma compare:
2025 Nissan Frontier
- Standard engine: 3.8L DOHC V6
- Horsepower: 310 hp
- Torque: 281 lb-ft
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Maximum towing capacity: up to 7,150 pounds*
2025 Toyota Tacoma
- Standard engine: i-FORCE 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder
- Horsepower (automatic/manual/SR): 278 hp / 270 hp / 228 hp
- Torque (automatic/manual/SR): 317 lb-ft / 310 lb-ft / 243 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
- Towing capacity: 6,300 pounds (Limited) / 6,400 pounds (SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road) / 6,500 pounds (TRD PreRunner)
2025 Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma: Safety Features
Nissan lists these driver assistance and safety features as standard across 2025 Frontier grades. Driver-assistance features have limitations, so see the Owner’s Manual for details.
- Traction control system
- Vehicle dynamic control
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Rear Parking Sensors
- High Beam Assist
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- Intelligent Driver Alertness
Find Your New Nissan Truck at Valley Hi Nissan
Whether you are comparing the Frontier and Tacoma on specs, capability or safety features, the best way to decide is to drive them. Call 760-241 1700 to schedule a test drive of a new Frontier at Valley Hi Nissan. In the meantime, continue your research, browse our new Nissan inventory, get pre-approved for financing and see our new vehicle specials.
* Towing varies by configuration. Nissan lists the 7,150-pound trailering rating for the Frontier S King Cab 4×2. See the Nissan Towing Guide and Owner’s Manual for additional information. Always secure cargo.
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