By The brand new 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner is just in time to battle it out for the best mid-size truck. Nissan did a throwback to their Desert Runner version and did it perfectly. This pickup is equipped with the best off-roading equipment and is everything you would want in a truck. It can tackle any obstacle and it can do it with determination. Moreover, it can still be enjoyed on the main road as well. It has been quite a while since the previous time Nissan unveiled a Frontier truck. All the way back in 2005, so 17 years is a lot of time and a lot of changes happened.
There is space for improvement and adding useful gadgets. Rumors are Nissan didn’t hold punches back while redesigning the Frontier. It won’t be an overreaction if we said that the 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner drives perfectly both off and on the road. And is a huge improvement from the previous model. Also, it is going to put up a fight with the others in the category. This includes Ford, GM, RAM, Toyota, and others. So let’s find out what exactly did Nissan do to make the new Frontier a beast.
Interior Features and Upgrades
As one could expect, back in 2005 the truck was all lined with plastic and cheap fabric. The brand new 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner is nothing like that. It is a huge improvement and we hope that Nissan will empty their pockets to make the inside of the cabin look luxurious. Trucks are not just for utility anymore and everyone knows that. So the cabin must be luxurious, spacious, and also have a lot of technology inside. Hopefully, we get some nice quality leather in the new Frontier, quality stitching is a must as well. Nobody likes their upholstery getting ripped after a year.
Putting a lot of digital amenities in the car would be beneficial. Expect the dashboard to be at least somewhat digital if not the whole dashboard. It will enable drivers to track everything with much ease. Infotainment systems are a standard nowadays so expect at least a 10-inch touchscreen in the middle of the cabin. This way even the back row will be able to enjoy the fun. Heated and ventilated seats are a great idea, this would make even the long bumpy off-road rides comfortable. Connectivity won’t be an issue for sure. The car should have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wifi hotspot and Bluetooth. This is the industry standard and we simply don’t see Nissan cutting corners here.
A roof window would be a nice addition after all this car is meant to be taken off the main road and this way you could enjoy nature even more. The car can seat five people comfortably. We are not sure how many cab versions are there but hopefully not just one. After all, Nissan needs to adapt the vehicle to every specific driver’s needs. There will also be Nissan Shield 360 installed in the cabin. This is a driver safety system developed by Nissan themselves. It will improve safety and give peace of mind to drivers.
Nissan Frontier Desert Runner Redesign
A lot of moves are being made on the outside of the 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner. The whole body was redesigned in California. This makes us believe that Nissan made it more modern and aggressive. This will resemble the Hardbody pickup. The new Frontier is taller and more sturdy in appearance. But it isn’t too high because after all, this would make loading more difficult. Wheelbase stayed the same on the 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner, 126 and 140 inches respectively. Because of changes in the front, to be specific on the hood and the nose of the car, it is 4.5 inches longer. But this doesn’t mean you will have difficulties while parking in tight spaces. Especially because there are cameras and sensors that will aid you while doing so.
King Cab and Crew Cab models will be available once it hits the road. Also, there is a 4×2 drive and a 4×4 drive, whichever is your choice. It would be nice to see some lightweight materials on the new Frontier. Especially since it is a big truck and it could use a weight trim. This improves the power to weight ratio, making the truck go faster and with more determination. Places, where the weight can be cut, are wheels and grille and the metal surrounding wheels. Using different materials would help the process.
Engine Specs
Brand new 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner will have a very reliable engine. A powerful 3.8 liter V6 that can produce up to 310 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This beast comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission. There is an option between reading and all-wheel drive which is excellent. There are people who simply have a preference between those two. We haven’t had the chance to test drive it yet.
But rumors are that the mighty V6 engine is capable of tackling the biggest of obstacles. As far as fuel economy is concerned, with rear-drive, we get 18 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway. With all-wheel drive it is 17 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway. This is decent fuel economy considering the sheer size of the Frontier. Its towing power is around 6720 pounds and it can carry around 1600 pounds in the back of the truck.
2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner Release Date and Price
Starting price for the 2022 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner is around $28000 and can go up to $40000 with some tweaks and gadgets. Word on the street is that the vehicle will go on sale in September this year, due to the pandemic problems this might get pushed to early 2023 but we still hope it is a tad early.
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