Used 2020 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner for sale 

The 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab has undergone a change in the line-up and sees most of the trims canned for this year, leaving just three trims - S, SV, and Pro-4X - with the MSRPs starting at $27,940 for the S. The pricing of the Pro-4X trim sees a steep increase of nearly $10,000 when compared to the SV and adds exclusive features like Bilstein shock absorbers, electronic locking rear differential, all-terrain tires, roof rack, cargo management with tie-down cleats, and underbody skid plates. 

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The pricing of the line-up makes our recommended trim pretty clear - the SV. This gets all the necessary upgrades from the bare-bones S trim while also having the option to add in various packages that opens up a wide array of customization options for the buyer to make it a well-equipped truck, without paying the Pro-4X premium. 

The 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab sees all the previous engine options discontinue while adding a brand-new mill which will now power all the trims - a naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 that churns out 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque which is channeled to the rear wheels as standard via an all-new 9-speed automatic transmission made specifically for the engine. The S and the SV trims can be upgraded to a 4WD drivetrain while the Pro-4X comes with the 4WD as the standard drivetrain. The powertrain is rather quick and the gear shifts are smooth, rendering a 0-60 MPH run of just 7.3 seconds while the quarter-mile is timed at 15.6 seconds. 

The Nissan Frontier isn’t an all-out heavy weight truck and as such, the Japanese manufacturer has designed in such a way that the truck does well in the city, on the highway, and also off the tarmac. In the city, the Frontier feels at-home with a high seating position and good view out in the front as well as the rear. The engine is strong and the gear shifts are pretty smooth which adds to the fun to drive the truck around. The only caveat one might face is the truck’s suspension which might feel a bit bouncy on the streets. The highway drives are equally comfortable with a well-insulated cabin and a rather stable suspension. Off the road, the truck performs as expected and doesn’t disappoint but the capabilities are limited and we expect the drivers to note that as well. 

The Nissan Frontier gains an edge over the others by having a V6 under its hood as the standard offering and as such, leads the numbers with the most output and the quickest times. Of the others, the GMC and the Chevrolet share the same internals but the latter remains quicker by quite some margin. The Toyota Tacoma does get the lowest power figures but the transmission is quick and renders better acceleration compared to the rivals. 

The V6 under the 2020 Frontier’s hood is a powerful unit but is also naturally-aspirated, which is a caveat for someone who is looking for a fuel-efficient option. The EPA rates this all-new engine and gearbox at 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, for a combined 20 MPG in mixed driving conditions. The numbers aren’t bad per se, but the comparable trucks offer better numbers with their smaller engines. The Frontier’s 21.1-gallon tank ensures that there’s ample driving range for one to reach their destination with minimal fuel stops. 

The Frontier’s bigger power plant affects the overall MPG and range while the other trucks offer more by way of better MPG. The GM twins get very similar numbers given the nature of their power plants, while the Toyota Tacoma skimps 3 MPG on the highway which isn’t a big deal considering the bigger fuel tank on offer. 

The 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is a very basic truck at its base trim and gets nothing more than the necessities in terms of features and comfort. The seats are manually adjustable and have cloth upholstery, while the interior trim is made of hard plastic which is rugged, no doubt, but makes the overall interior feel pretty cheap. The SV adds some upgrades to the base trim and makes the seats more comfortable, while also adding a sliding rear window. The dashboard carries on the same, with the 7-inch infotainment screen and manual controls for the AC. 

The Pro-4X trim gets a steep increase in price but for the MSRP, it adds a lot more to the table (most of which is available on the SV trim as a part of the Value Truck package). The range-topping trim gets a bit of softness in the interior trims while also adding a bit more color to the door panels. The dashboard gets some softness as well, while also rocking the upgraded infotainment system that now gets navigation and an upgraded 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system. The seats get nice and soft leather upholstery with contrast stitching with Pro-4X embroidery and a perforated design. 

In the second row, the space is a little tight to get inside but once inside you’ll find that the seats can be lifted up to reveal an under-seat storage area for more practicality. The seating position renders the knees to be a bit high but the overall matter is rather comfortable with ample headroom for adult occupants as well. In terms of practicality, there are a couple of cupholders and that’s about it. 

All the trucks can seat 5 people but the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado can fit the occupants more comfortably than the rest. The Frontier’s cabin is comfortably spacious but the features are lacklustre in the base trims. The GM twins get better equipment, with the Canyon’s interior standing out as the more comfortable and “posh” of them both. The Tacoma does seating well too with ample features on offer and a Frontier-like big cabin to accommodate people. As for the cargo capacity, the GMC and the Chevrolet take the win, while the Nissan’s volume remains the lowest of all. 

Some standout interior features of the 2020 Frontier’s cabin are:

• Heated and power-adjustable front seats
• Cloth/leather upholstery
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Sunroof
• Sliding rear window
• 7-inch infotainment screen
• Navigation
• Satellite Radio
• Bluetooth
• Six-speaker audio system
• Optional 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system

The 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab doesn’t see a lot of changes as far as the styling is being talked about - it continues with the traditional Nissan lines and angles with a chrome V-shape grille upfront and the old and trusted face. The headlights are halogens with no LED lighting anywhere on the truck. The front bumper is all about practicality and has no fake vents or crevices. The Pro-4X gets some goodies to it which adds in flared out fenders, a bit more space between the wheel and the fender kudos to the Bilstein shock absorbers, and underbody skid plates.

The truck gets 17-inch steel wheels as standard but upgrades to 18-inch alloy wheels from the SV trim onwards. The wheels have 6-spokes and are pretty wide to fit in with the aura. The side of the Frontier gets a rather basic design element that stretches across both the doors. The S and the SV get running boards while the Pro-4X skips them completely to maintain the high ground clearance. The rear of the truck is as simple as it gets with a plastic door handle and relevant badges. 

The Nissan Frontier is compact overall when compared to the rivals, but with the highest ground clearance of all. The compact proportions of the truck do affect the cabin space, which is insignificantly compromised in terms of shoulder room. The shorter wheelbase comes in handy while driving and maneuvering the truck through tight spaces in the city, while also aiding a lot in the off-road ability of the truck. The GMC Canyon weighs in the most and has very similar proportions to the Chevrolet, while the Taco is a bit less than the GM twins by way of numbers.

Some of the styling elements on the 2020 Frontier are:

• 17-/18-inch wheels
• Halogen headlamps
• Fog lamps
• Nissan “Vmotion” grille
• Extended fenders
• Running boards
• Halogen tail lamps
• Bilstein shock absorbers (specific to Pro-4X)
• Roof rails (specific to Pro-4X)
• Underbody skid plates (specific to Pro-4X)

The 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is a rather old-school truck which still goes on with a ladder-frame chassis while the rivals have moved on to independent suspension setups to make the drive smoother. As such, the Frontier doesn’t get any modern driver-assistance gizmo-wizardry and relies purely on the driver’s attention and skills. To give peace of mind , the truck also carries a 4-star rating from the NHTSA while the IIHS gives a “Good” rating for most aspects except the halogen headlamps. 

Some of the safety features available on the 2020 Frontier include:

• RearView Monitor Back-Up Camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor

2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Vs. 2020 GMC Canyon Crew Cab

The Nissan Frontier Crew Cab gets a more rugged interior which is built to serve a purpose but with the ruggedness comes a discomfort by way of hard plastics and monotonous colors. The Frontier’s base engine is a very strong option and easily outruns the Canyon, while the new 9-speed transmission ensures super-smooth gear shifting. The Canyon’s engine is more fuel-efficient and the truck gets a better interior while the cabin has good shoulder room for the occupants to enjoy. 

2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Vs. 2020 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab

The Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab is all that the GMC Canyon has on offer but a bit more to-the-basics approach since the GMC offers a more comfortable and “posh” interior. The base engine is more fuel-efficient than the Frontier’s and the interiors are more comfortable. The Colorado is a bit lighter than the Canyon but is still 3.6% heavier than the Nissan Frontier. The Frontier’s advantages over the Colorado are the same as in the Canyon’s case, with the interior being a bit more comparable. 

2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Vs. 2020 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

The Toyota Tacoma gets an all-new design for the 2020 model year and is completely the opposite of what the Frontier has to offer - an advanced pickup truck with a lot of modern features and amenities on offer across its trims. All the upgrades on the Tacoma (and the optional V6) do take the price up but the way the Japanese brand has implemented the offer makes the hike worth it. The Frontier’s pros here are limited to just the more powerful base engine and a smooth gearbox.

The 2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is an old truck and has started to show its age despite the carmaker trying to keep it alive via minimal updates over the years. The truck has a new engine and gearbox but the interior carries on as the same as it was some model years ago, with minimal amenities and not-so-good comfort. The Pro-4X is the most loaded of the line-up but the competition is way more advanced. The lack of active safety aids across the range, and the fact that a new model is on the horizon, makes the 2020 Frontier a harder choice for one to recommend.