2025 Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier: Japanese Midsize Pickups Collide

Japanese challengers to American dominance

The Ford F-Sequence has held the title of best-selling automobilefor greater than 4 many years, however it was lately dethroned by the Toyota RAV4. Toyota’s push in opposition to American dominance doesn’t finish there, although. The midsize Tacoma pickup leads its section, however it isn’t the one Japanese mannequin in competition with Ford and Chevrolet. The Nissan Frontier managed to get an edge over the Ford Ranger final 12 months. There’s so much to like concerning the 2025 Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, however which mannequin presents the perfect worth?

Versatility, connectivity, and affordability

The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are outfitted for a wide range of use instances, with a number of cab choices and mattress sizes to select from. In distinction, each the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado can be found in only one configuration: a crew cab with a five-foot mattress. There’s no single- or extended-cab physique type or an extended mattress out there, and the Japanese midsize vehicles are taking full benefit of that truth.

The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is on the market with a four-door double cab paired with a five-foot mattress or a two-door prolonged cab (XtraCab) with a six-foot mattress. Likewise, the Nissan Frontier can also be out there in two cab configurations. The King Cab options two doorways and seats 4 passengers, whereas the normal Crew Cab is a four-door configuration and seats as much as 5 passengers. Both cab possibility could be paired with a five- or six-foot mattress. 

Inside, the Tacoma will get an eight-inch touchscreen show, with higher-tier fashions getting upgraded to a 14-inch show. Likewise, the Nissan Frontier options an eight-inch touchscreen show, with an non-obligatory 12.3-inch display screen. Each pickups characteristic wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in any respect trim ranges. Premium sound programs can be found in each vehicles, as is a wi-fi smartphone charging pad.

So far as pricing goes, each Japanese pickups are aggressive with their American rivals. The 2025 Toyota Tacoma undercuts opponents at $31,590, whereas a brand new Nissan Frontier is on the market from $32,050. For comparability, the Ford Ranger begins at $33,080, and the Chevy Colorado is priced from $31,900.

Efficiency and functionality go hand-in-hand

The 2025 Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier pack loads of energy that results in reasonably spectacular functionality throughout their respective ranges. The previous presents a bit extra selection when it comes to efficiency, although. Whereas the Frontier comes with one powertrain throughout the vary, the Tacoma’s powertrain can fluctuate primarily based on the trim degree and transmission.

The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is among the few fashions left within the business to supply a six-speed guide transmission, though it’s restricted to double-cab fashions. When paired with the guide transmission, the Tacoma’s 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. If energy comes channeled by way of an eight-speed automated transmission, anticipate efficiency to fall to 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque within the base SR trim. 

Most Tacoma fashions come outfitted with a extra highly effective 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automated transmission. That mixture delivers 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. When correctly outfitted, the 2025 Toyota Tacoma can tow as much as 6,500 lbs. and haul as much as 1,705 lbs.

The Nissan Frontier presents a a lot easier setup in comparison with the Tacoma. All Frontier fashions come outfitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. That energy is channeled by way of a nine-speed transmission, no matter trim degree. When correctly outfitted, the Frontier can tow as much as 7,150 lbs. and haul 1,610 lbs.

Toyota Tacoma’s hybrid edge

It’s no secret that Toyota has been giving its lineup the hybrid remedy, and the Toyota Tacoma is not any exception. There are 5 hybrid Tacoma trims to select from, essentially the most reasonably priced of which is the TRD Sport i-FORCE Max, priced from $46,320. Like within the gas-only model, the hybrid Tacoma comes outfitted with an eight-speed automated transmission. 

Pairing the Tacoma’s four-cylinder engine with an electrical motor does wonders for the midsize pickup’s efficiency. The hybrid powertrain places out 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, an enormous enchancment on paper. It does add weight, although, which signifies that the rise in energy doesn’t go so far as you’d hope. The hybrid powertrain is non-obligatory on some trim ranges, however it’s the only powerhouse on the off-road Trailhunter and TRD Professional trims. In case you’re focused on seeing how the Tacoma’s off-road prowess fares in opposition to the Nissan Frontier, try Nathan’s assessment.

Apparently, the hybrid model of the Tacoma isn’t all that environment friendly in comparison with the usual mannequin, both. Whereas the gas-only Tacoma is rated for 21 mpg within the metropolis and 26 mpg on the freeway, the hybrid Tacoma earns higher gas financial system on city streets, as much as 23 mpg, however falters on the freeway, incomes as much as 24 mpg. To prime it off, the hybrid mannequin can solely tow as much as 6,000 lbs., 500 lbs. lower than the usual Tacoma.

Last ideas

Regardless of neither mannequin matching the towing specs of the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger, each the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are giving American vehicles a run for his or her cash. One may argue that the number of out there physique types and mattress sizes provides the Japanese pickups a definite benefit over the likes of Ford and Chevy. To place it merely, the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are strong middle-of-the-road options to their American rivals.