Frontier

Make
Nissan
Segment
Sports Car

Considering the it launched way back in 2004 and has only received minor updates over the year, the Nissan Frontier feels like it has been on sale for an eternity. The Japanese mid-size pickup has since been outclassed by its more modern competitors such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger, so a replacement has been a long time coming.

Thankfully, Nissan has confirmed that the development of the next-generation Frontier is underway and the reveal will happen sometime in 2020. Ahead of its debut, more details about the 2021 Nissan Frontier are starting to emerge.

The Fast Lane Truck has the inside scoop from an anonymous source that Nissan is currently testing an updated version of its 3.5-liter gas V6 engine for the new Frontier. This is likely to be the same direct injected-unit used in the Nissan Pathfinder, which develops 285 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque.

Like the current model, the new Nissan Frontier is likely to be offered with several engine options, but the naturally aspirated V6 is likely to give the Frontier its maximum towing capacity to help it fight the new Ford Ranger and the Jeep Gladiator.

As well as the updated V6, the new Frontier may be offered with a turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine and Nissan is also considering introducing a hybrid variant if there is enough customer demand. If The Fast Truck Lane's source is correct, the new 3.5-liter V6 will be a welcome improvement over the current Frontier's outdated 4.0-liter V6 and 2.5-liter inline-four engines, which develop 261 hp/281 lb-ft and 152 hp/171 lb-ft respectively.

Launching a new Frontier will undoubtedly boost sales for Nissan, although the current model is still a surprisingly strong seller in the US. Last year, Nissan shipped 72,369 units of the Frontier in the US, which meant it outsold some of its newer competitors like the Honda Ridgeline and GMC Canyon. Not bad for an old truck.