2023 Nissan Frontier vs. Nissan Titan

Known for their tough and durable vehicles, Nissan's range of trucks is popular in North America. Nissan fans were pleased to learn about the two new offerings for 2023, the Nissan Frontier and the Nissan Titan. So, how do these two trucks compare when put up against each other?

This guide will dive deeply into the Nissan Frontier. vs Titan. 

2023 Nissan Frontier

The 2023 Frontier is Nissan's mid-size pickup truck that feels and looks like a full-size truck. The Frontier comes from a long line of Nissan hardbody trucks dating to the 1980s, and the 2023 model includes some subtle changes from the previous models.

One of Nissan's biggest upgrades to the new 2023 model is the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 with a powerful nine-speed automatic transmission, and the steering feels more direct when equipped with either rear- or four-wheel drive. 

Regarding towing capability, the Nissan Frontier is capable of 6,690 pounds, which is a competitive rating for a mid-size truck. 

The new 2023 model comes with additional trims and packages like the new Midnight Edition for the premium models. Thanks to Nissan's upgrade of the interior, the new Frontier maintains a classic rugged feel with its premium and stylish build.

2023 Nissan Titan

The 2023 Nissan Titan is Nissan's full-size pickup truck that packs a punch. This big truck comes with a 400-hp V-8 engine backed by a nine-speed automatic transmission in either rear- or four-wheel drive. 

The previous 2022 Titan was such a success among drivers that Nissan has decided to keep their equipment and powertrain upgrades to a minimum. The 400-hp V-8 is capable of toughing it out on the off-road and can tow up to 9660 pounds.

Nissan has kept the popular Zero Gravity seats, and the new 2023 models come with additional trim packages, like the Midnight Edition. 

The 2023 Nissan Titan is more than capable of all your off-road and heavy-duty needs at an affordable price.

Nissan Frontier vs. Nissan Titan Performance

Looking at the Nissan Frontier vs. Titan, they both rank highly in performance, especially in regard to trailblazing and outdoor performance. In terms of power, the Titan does beat the Frontier's 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque with its own 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.

When compared to the Titan, the Frontier doesn't feel as powerful because it offers much less torque. However, it has a smaller turning radius, making driving easier in tight spaces.  

Driving the Frontier, you can expect a 0-60 speed of around 7.3 seconds. Similarly, the Nissan Titan comes in with a 0-60 around of 7.3 seconds, which is excellent for a full-size truck. This time was tested without towing a load or at maximum load capacity.

Towing Capabilities Comparison

An important feature in the trucks that should be taken into consideration when discussing the performance of the Nissan Frontier vs. Titan are the trucks' towing and loading capabilities. With either front- or rear-wheel drive, the Frontier is capable of towing up to 6,690 pounds, whereas the Titan lives up to its name and can tow up to 9660 pounds and comes with an array of towing features. This is thanks to that added torque over the Frontier.

Both models rank similarly when it comes to maximum payload capacity, the Frontier's max is 1,620 pounds, and the Titan's is 1,697 pounds.

Nissan Frontier vs. Nissan Titan Exterior

Both Nissans offer the classic ruggedness one looks for in a truck. In terms of size, the larger of the two is the Titan. The length of the Titan is 228.2 inches, and the Frontier is smaller at 210.2 inches.

On the front, the Frontier has a skid plate and a short, wide grille that is paired with a set of LED headlights. Nissan went the other route with the Titan. Instead, the grille is much taller and wider, with the skid plate attached to the molded bumper.

Frontier vs. Titan Interior

While the Titan excels when it comes to performance and towing capabilities, the biggest complaint about this Nissan is the plastic interior, which some say doesn't feel premium. For the Frontier, Nissan did away with the plastic interior and included more modern features for the premium model. You can also spec heated seats and a heated steering wheel. 

The interior of the Titan is spacious and comfortable, with room for up to five people. The Frontier offers plenty of legroom with creative interior storage solutions, such as its cubbyhole or underseat storage.

Fuel Efficiency Comparison

Looking at the fuel efficiency of the Nissan Frontier vs. Titan, they are quite similar. The Frontier's four-wheel drive model has a rating of 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, while the rear-wheel drive model has a higher rating of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Four-wheel-drive is the most fuel efficient of the two models.

The Titan has a slightly lower fuel efficiency than the Frontier, with a rating of 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway when spec'd with four-wheel-drive. The rear-wheel drive gets around 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

Cab and Bed Configurations

The Nissan Frontier and Titan both come with cabs and beds that can be expanded. The Titan offers longer bed lengths, with the longest size coming in at 78.7 inches, whereas the Frontier's longest bed is 73.7 inches.

With the Frontier, you can choose an extended cab with a 6.6-foot bed or a shorter 5.6-foot bed that fits the four-door model. Both models offer extended cabs and crew cabs. 

Nissan Frontier vs. Nissan Titan Pricing

The pricing of the Nissan Frontier vs Titan does differ quite a lot between the two models. The Frontier's base model, the Frontier S, starts at $30,000, while the Titan's base model, the Titan S, starts at $41,000. 

Both models come with many of the same features. However, the higher price of the Titan makes sense when you take into account that it has more safety features than the Frontier. For example, the Frontier does not have blind spot monitoring and a 360-Degree Camera, among many other features.

Shop Concord Nissan

If you're interested in taking these trucks out for a test drive for yourself, or you know you're ready to buy one, visit our knowledgeable staff at Concord Nissan.