2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2022 Nissan Frontier stood out as a bold statement within Nissan’s aggressive “Nissan Next” campaign, which intended to refresh and revitalize their vehicle lineup over a mere 20 months. With a design paying homage to the burly, retro appeal of the classic Nissan Hardbody pickups from the '80s and '90s, the Frontier’s aesthetic was both familiar and modern. At its core, the visual language of the Frontier was blocky and rugged, reflecting a tough, almost carved-from-metal look as elucidated by lead designer Hiren Patel. The truck came in nine varied exterior colors, such as Tactical Green and Deep Pearl Blue, and featured new interior options in shades like charcoal and sandstone. Our particular test model came in Baja Storm with charcoal leather, exclusive to the off-road PRO-4X and 2WD PRO-X trims.

The Frontier's size increased slightly in its 2022 model without growing overwhelming—the truck still fit comfortably in standard garages and parking spaces. The choice between a King Cab and Crew Cab allowed for some versatility, with the King Cab offering less rear-seat space but a 6-foot bed, while the Crew Cab provided a 5-foot standard bed or an optional 6-foot bed on SV trims. The Frontier also introduced useful bed options, including a spray-in bedliner, LED bed lighting, and a three-channel tie-down system.

The interior saw a notable upgrade. Nissan installed their acclaimed Zero Gravity front seats and enhanced the insulation to reduce noise. Improvements didn’t stop inside: there were more storage solutions with the newly designed center console, providing ample room for everyday items like phones or wallets. Customization was made a priority, with over 80 accessories available to make each Frontier unique.

In contrast, the 2023 GMC Canyon arrived with an assertive redesign aimed at projecting robust toughness. The Canyon's aesthetic was bold and aggressive, with fierce-looking headlights and a hood that seemed ready to charge forward. The exterior design included significant details like sculpted muscle-like bulges and creases along the sides.

Sharing dimensions with the redesigned Chevrolet Colorado, the 2023 Canyon featured a longer wheelbase and an "Ultra Wide Track" stance, available on all models. This provided a broader, more stable feel with nearly 66-inch tracks at both front and rear. Ground clearance varied: the Elevation, AT4, and Denali models stood two inches higher with 9.6 inches of ground clearance, while the AT4X model offered a three-inch lift, reaching 10.7 inches.

Noteworthy was the launch of the AT4X Edition 1 variant, decked out with front and rear accessories like a safari bar, light bar, winch, and a standard bed rail system. The Denali trim was distinct with luxurious touches like chrome accents and laser-etched, open-pore wood trim in the cabin, exuding an upscale vibe uncommon in midsize pickups. Nevertheless, the base Elevation trim held its own with quality materials.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier’s performance was predominantly driven by its 3.8-liter V6 engine, revealed earlier in 2020. It was a powerhouse with class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, providing more than enough grunt for accelerating and passing on highways. The towing and payload capacities stood at 6,720 pounds and 1,610 pounds, respectively—competitive though not top of the class. The Frontier's nine-speed automatic transmission was efficient, seamlessly shifting through gears whether going uphill or seeking fuel economy on straights. However, fuel efficiency figures weren’t standout: the EPA rated the RWD model at 18/24/20 mpg for city/highway/combined, slightly lower for the 4WD model.

The steering system in the Frontier maintained a hydraulic rack and pinion setup offering a heavy feel conducive to off-road driving but potentially cumbersome around town. Speaking of off-roading, the PRO-4X package packed impressive kit including hill-start assist, hill-descent control, electronic locking rear differential, and protective skid plates. Drivers could also utilize a surround-view monitor with off-road mode, aiding visibility around challenging obstacles.

Notably, the 2023 GMC Canyon streamlined its powertrain options to a singular turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, previously seen in the larger Sierra trucks. This engine pushed out a robust 310 horsepower and an impressive 430 pound-feet of torque, significantly higher torque compared to the Frontier. However, Canyon’s drivetrain options varied: the base Elevation trim offered RWD while higher trims featured a single-speed or two-speed transfer case 4WD, enhancing capability.

Canyon's eight-speed automatic transmission paired well with the turbo-four, offering satisfactory acceleration and a quieter ride. Unfortunately, without testing under load, real-world towing and payload efficacy were less confirmed, but the numbers were promising. Maximum towing capacities matched the Frontier's excellent figures, with the Canyon capable of pulling up to 7,700 pounds in several trims, though the off-road-specific AT4X trimmed capacity to 6,000 pounds (5,500 with the Edition 1 package).

The 2022 Nissan Frontier combined practical comfort and functionality adeptly. The front seating, thanks to the Zero Gravity seats, was exemplary in comfort—making long rides enjoyable. The back seats in the Crew Cab were reasonably comfortable for a midsize truck, though not ideal for extended journeys. The King Cab’s rear seats were far less accommodating. Storage was thoughtfully incorporated, with eight cupholders strategically placed, several of them large enough for a 32-ounce bottle. Moreover, the Crew Cab featured additional storage beneath the rear seat.

Comparing cargo capacities, the Frontier showed competitive figures. Payload maxed out at 1,610 pounds, while its towing capacity reached 6,720 pounds, slightly under the Canyon but still competent for most users’ needs.

The 2023 GMC Canyon, offered strictly in a crew cab with a 5.2-foot bed, provided ample interior space. Its overall roominess was similar to the previous-generation, with leading first-row legroom among midsize trucks and commendable second-row legroom. Unfortunately, it lacked a larger bed option compared to the Frontier’s available 6-foot bed. GMC introduced innovative storage solutions like the MultiStow tailgate, which featured a waterproof compartment, although its utility was somewhat limited.

Regarding mechanical capabilities, the Canyon’s payload capacity was competitive, maxing out at 1,640 pounds, albeit slightly below the Ford Ranger. Towing capability was strong, equaling the Frontier in more trims and offering higher maximum figures in certain configurations.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier made significant leaps in technology. The entry-level trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the PRO-4X trim upgraded to a 9-inch display. Physical controls complemented the touchscreen effortlessly, enhancing user experience with easy access to volume, tuning, and other core functions.

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although requiring a wired connection, catered to modern connectivity needs. Additional touches included USB ports for front and rear passengers, an optional wireless phone charger, and the Premium Package that combined a 10-speaker Fender stereo with other luxury and convenience features.

2023 GMC Canyon’s tech suite outshined with an 11.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also featured a digital instrument cluster, varying from 8 to 11 inches across trims, and an available 6.3-inch head-up display. Google Built-In functions meant intuitive navigation and infotainment controls mirroring an Android phone’s interface, which was a pleasant surprise for tech enthusiasts.

A standout feature for the Canyon was the Off-Road Performance Display menu, accessible through the touchscreen, which provided real-time data for off-road conditions. The underbody camera in the surround-view system was another plus for off-road drivers, helping navigate rough terrain with ease.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier’s safety suite, named Safety Shield 360, featured an array of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, and trailer sway control. While crash-test scores weren’t yet available from NHTSA or IIHS, the pervading sentiment expected improvements over the previous model’s average ratings.

Similarly, the 2023 GMC Canyon had not been crash-tested at the time of publication, but it included comprehensive safety features in the Pro Safety Package. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Higher trims added more advanced features like blind-zone steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system.