the Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition? It’s just an appearance kit, sure, but it’s one that works, with throwback three-spoke wheels, 4x4 graphics, and a black front bumper that evokes its 1980s namesake. All it needs is some KC Daylighters on the sport bar to complete the package.
What’s funny is that the Frontier doesn’t need retro styling to feel like a throwback. Yes, this third-generation Frontier debuted just three years ago, but it’s based on the second-gen truck that came out in 2004. Even in 2021, this Frontier felt a bit old, and since then, we've seen the launches of brand-new versions of the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. (Plus the arrival of the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick, and an update for the Honda Ridgeline, if you want to include car-based pickups.)
| Quick Specs | 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition |
| Engine | 3.8-Liter V-6 |
| Output | 310 Horsepower / 281 Pound-Feet |
| Weight | 4,642 Pounds |
| Payload | 1,480 Pounds |
| Towing | 6,350 Pounds |
| Base Price / As-Tested | $46,190 / $47,135 |
Get in the Frontier, and you’ll find bits and pieces Nissan’s used for decades. There’s no option for a digital gauge cluster, no big fancy infotainment screen, nothing. And where all the other mid-size rivals use turbo four-cylinders—hell, the Tacoma’s gone hybrid—the Frontier has a naturally aspirated V-6. It’s behind the times, yet it’s not a huge problem.