If you're shopping for a truck that's smaller than full-size, the choices are fewer this year. Dodge's Dakota is gone; the Ford Ranger's galloped off into the sunset. The Chevrolet Colorado is still around, but due for a major transformation into a true mid-sizer.
That leaves the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier as the primary alternatives to today's full-size, entry-level trucks. Between them, which one's the best way to cover all the pickup bases?
We'll spare you the drama, but do read on. The Nissan Frontier's been one of the highest-rated pickup trucks on TheCarConnection for the past few years, and in our head-to-head ratings, it easily outpaces the Tacoma, even though Toyota's truck has just been updated for the 2012 model year.
It starts with a win in performance, where the uprated Nissan V-6 is stronger than the Tacoma's, and feels like it. The Frontier also has better (though not great) ride quality, while matching the Tacoma for ultimate towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. While we wouldn't clamor for either available four-cylinder engine, we'd point out that both trucks continue to offer them, for small gains in gas mileage.
The Frontier also has more comfortable trappings for passengers and more interesting ways to tie down cargo. Available in extended or four-door form, it lacks the regular cab offered on the Tacoma, but the Frontier's seats have more support and offer a more natural seating position, at least in front. Of the pair, the Frontier's back bench offers a little more seat comfort.
Both trucks come in short- and long-bed configurations, in rear- or four-wheel drive, though a full-size eight-foot bed is off the menu on both. Nissan antes up a spray-in bedliner and a built-in set of tie-down cleats, making it a great choice for utility buyers. With either truck, an off-road package enables Baja-style trail running that gives these trucks a tuner appeal all their own.
The Frontier scores very well in crash tests, but doesn't offer four-wheel stability control on all models; the Tacoma lags in roof strength and in federal testing overall.
Pickups aren't typically the first vehicles that come to mind when we think of luxury features. Nonetheless, both of these trucks have some infotainment goodies you'd normally find in a plush sedan. The Frontier offers Bluetooth and high-powered audio, while the Tacoma one-ups the Nissan this year with Entune, a system that enables in-truck app connectivity for Pandora, voice commands, HD radio, and Bluetooth audio streaming.
No comments:
Post a Comment