Nissan Frontier vs. Ford Ranger

Strength That Feels Natural

The Nissan Frontier’s standard 3.8-liter V6 engine generates 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque—no upgrade required. From day one, it’s ready to tow, haul, and handle the weekday grind with confidence. By comparison, the Ranger’s base 2.3-liter EcoBoost produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. While solid numbers, its smaller setup lacks the Frontier’s naturally aspirated, instant response. It’s a difference you’ll feel every mile, from city streets to backroad climbs.

Both trucks offer 4x2 and available 4x4 capability, but the Frontier goes further with standard Active Brake Limited Slip Differential (ABLS). This system automatically applies brake pressure to a spinning wheel and redirects torque to the one with traction. From rain-soaked pavement, slick gravel, or muddy trails to a rutted worksite, ABLS helps you stay in control and keep momentum wherever the day takes you.

Built to Pull More Than Weight

Between hauling tools to the jobsite and towing campers or ATVs for the weekend, your truck has to rise to every occasion. When properly equipped, both pickups can tow more than 7,100 pounds and carry a payload of more than 1,500 pounds, proving their strength isn’t just for show but for the everyday demands that fill your calendar.*

When you have a trailer in tow, visibility and control are everything. The Nissan Frontier and the Ford Ranger include Trailer Sway Control and offer available camera systems with a 360-degree view. But only the Frontier’s Intelligent Around View® Monitor adds an Off-Road Mode, giving you a clear view of obstacles and terrain when venturing beyond the pavement, where mirrors alone can’t tell the whole story.

More Ways to Get It Done

The Nissan Frontier and the Ford Ranger bring solid payload capacity, but one gives you more freedom to configure your truck around the way you work and play. The Ranger limits you to a single 5-foot bed, while the Frontier lets you choose a 5-foot Standard Bed or a 6-foot Long Bed. This Nissan proves that versatility isn’t just a feature; it’s built into every dimension.

Inside the bed, the Frontier’s Utili-Track® Channel System adds even more flexibility with adjustable tie-down cleats that can secure almost anything: landscaping tools, motorcycles, or camping gear. The Ranger’s available cargo rails provide some adaptability, but they can’t match the Frontier’s standard system or its compatibility with bed covers and storage boxes that make every load feel secure and every trip more manageable.

Comfort That Goes the Distance

The Ford Ranger comes solely as a SuperCrew cab with seating for five, while the Nissan Frontier again gives you the freedom of choice: a Crew Cab that seats five or a King Cab that seats four. The Frontier’s cab configurations make it easy to tailor your space to fit both passengers and purpose.

Inside, both pickups bring comfort and convenience with available features like:

• 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control

Yet the Frontier goes further with standard Zero Gravity front seats that help reduce spinal pressure and fatigue, keeping you supported through long commutes, rural routes, and everything in between.

Connected Where It Counts

When coordinating a jobsite run or streaming playlists on the open road, the Nissan Frontier and the Ford Ranger make it easy to stay connected with their standard and available features:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
• Wi-Fi® hotspot
• Brand-specific remote vehicle apps
• Voice Recognition
• SiriusXM®

Both also make wireless charging and integrated navigation available, ideal for staying powered and on track during long hauls or off-grid weekends. When it comes to visibility, the Frontier gives you a 12.3-inch available touchscreen display compared to the Ranger’s 12-inch screen, keeping your apps, maps, and messages front and center.

Confidence Built In

The Nissan Frontier and the Ford Ranger are engineered with full-length, fully boxed high-strength steel frames, an essential foundation for durability and peace of mind when conditions turn unpredictable. But real confidence starts before impact, with technologies that help you avoid danger altogether. Every Frontier includes the Nissan Safety Shield® 360 suite standard, featuring:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Blind Spot Warning
• Rear Automatic Braking
• Lane Departure Warning
• Intelligent Driver Alertness
• And more

The Ranger offers similar driver-assist features, but many are limited to upper trims or optional packages. The Frontier’s standard inclusion gives drivers everyday assurance, proof that peace of mind is part of its design.