Frontier V6 vs Taco 4cyl

So the Frontier still has the same awful turning radius (for its size), but the interesting thing is the new Tacoma now matches it. Something about the longer wheelbase, and probably wider track.

Most people don't buy a car solely based on turning radius, so it's something you just roll with I guess. It definitely surprised me when I rented a Frontier a few years ago. Especially knowing the Frontier is physically smaller than the Taco at that time.

In reality though, we're not talking about miles here. Comparing turning circles:
4Runner: 37' (same as old regular cab taco)
Old Taco: 40' (short wheelbase)
New Taco: 42' (short wheelbase)
Frontier: 43' (short wheelbase)
Tundra: 48' (short wheelbase)

 

Apples to apples turning diameter, DCSB-4WD models:

24 Tacoma: 42.4'
18 Tacoma: 40.6'

24 Frontier: 43.3'
18 Frontier: 43.3'

24 Ranger: 42.5'
24 Colorado: not measured


I'll stick with my 3rd gen. I wish that wasn't important, but there were many times this year where I had to swing wide then go full steering lock in order to get my trailer to clear a narrow trail.

 

Interesting. I would have thought the difference was at least 5 feet, not 3, to my 2018. I had a 2000 Ranger xtracab before, and it had a wide turning radius too, and the PS would wine like crazy at full lock. One of this first things I noticed when I got my Tacoma, was how tight it turned, and being quiet about it too. That and Toyota tucking the rear shock mounts on the rear axle close to the wheels makes it hard for me to look at other models.

 

Going from a 2012 tundra to a 24 Tacoma, the taco radius feels wider. Was definitely not what I was expecting but you get used to the change pretty quick.

 

I'm sure anyone is.
I drove a 2000 frontier until 2019 when i traded up for my tacoma. I put 200K miles on it and it never got sick, whatever that means.

 

I haven't driven a new Nissan, but the stereo to mobile device functionality sucked in my 2012 Xterra, wife 2013 Sentra and 2018 Murano. Need to answer "yes" to Carplay every time I plug the phone. If I plug it, just go to Carplay.

Ergonomics, 2012 Xterra was better than 2024 Taco in MT, shifting was better in Xterra too. Now, the new Frontier is a gen ahead than last gen Xterra, so can't compare.

None are perfect, there will always be pros and cons.

Happy with 2024 Taco, TRD OR MT cheaper than Pro 4X AT, by a lot.

 

The Frontier/Xterra manual transmission, IMO, was way better than that we get in the Toyotas. Much more smooth, and I liked the push down reverse lockout with R over by 6. The gearing also made much more sense. It’s all semantics, but I miss the Nissan manual a lot. Sadly other problems with my truck are why I traded. Which I don’t regret, but I’d go back if I could find a good one. The one I had must have been a Friday build, it was a piece of crap.

No way would I buy the “new” Frontier. They are charging a whole lot more for a lot of the same truck, with none of the previous goodies like the manual. What a racket.

 

Feel the same. The wide gap between 1 and 2 is annoying. I haven't driven a new Bronco, but the crawl gear and reverse geared lower than 1st sounds interesting. Can only tow 3500 lbs, so I went for Taco. Plus I wanted a Toyota truck since Back to the Future when I was 16.

 

The Bronco transmission essentially has the exact same ratios as the 24 Tacoma, other than an additional granny gear. Would be pretty nice, but unfortunately, those transmissions are damn Getrags that start to make a bunch of unfixable noise after they get some miles. That is one of the reason ford still has their production on pause.

Really, Toyota is the way to go now unless wanting a Wrangler. Gladiator just dropped it so there really are no options now besides Wrangler and Tacoma.

 

I would’ve preferred an NA V6….that is, a fully modernized Toyota V6 that’s not straight DI. But that’s never coming back, so….

With heavy discounts now on Tacoma’s, Nissan’s #1 advantage evaporates. Virtually every single detail of the Tacoma is better, so it’s difficult to test drive both, and park a Frontier in your driveway, unless the Nissan dealer absolutely begged you to take it (and they probably will).

Just wait a while for Toyota to massage out all the issues first. Hopefully good to go in another year or so.

 

"Heavy" discounts? Around here maybe $1500 discount but they get that back and more with the preloads. Meanwhile the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 as an example are discounted $12,000 to $15,000. THAT'S what I would call heavy discounts. If Toyota had even $8,000 discount I'd be tripping all over myself to get to the dealership. But for $45k and no options that are standard on other brands like power driver seat etc, I'll wait and keep considering others.

 

3 grand off a Toyota truck before you talk to the dealer = at least 15 grand off a Ram. Relativity.

You may have to put your back into it, but they need you to take a Tacoma home before the ‘25’s hit.

Agree that Toyota needs to re-mix the feature content. $45k should always buy you a power drivers seat.

 

No discounts in Atlantic Canada, MSRP + dealer installed options. They are mostly sold before they hit the lot. If you say no, they sell it to someone else tomorrow.

 

That's because Stellantis is in deep shit. They aren't manufacturing some 2025 Jeep models until all new 2023s and 2024s are sold. Yeah, brand new 2023s are still sitting on the lots.

 

Comparing dimensions etc and numbers on papers is kind of ridiculous lol. " Oh this truck has inch longer legroom so might as well buy that " Man remember when people would just go and simply buy a truck? only caring about engine and transmission, 4x4. That's what I literally did, took me 10 minutes. I didnt even know this forum existed, didn't watch no videos.


Main point of a any 2 TON truck is the engine and payload/towing. I didn't know people bought mid size pick up trucks for rear seats. In this case V6 simply is better than 4cyl turbo, and price on Tacoma is just insane. I am not saying the 4cyl turbo is bad, its Toyota and it will be ok but V6 will always be superior to 4cyl with turbo or not. Heavy full frame trucks need big engines. If they didn't need them, they would have never had V6 and V8s in a first place lol.

We all know this is about stupid emissions and manufacturers being forced to down size their engines, they know big engines are needed for heavy SUV/Trucks, and we know that too, and that's why sales have dropped. Tacoma is not even best selling midsize this year anymore, its not even 2nd best selling anymore. I mostly blame that to the insane price for a truck full of gimmicks. If it was an SUV, like 4runner, that makes sense because SUV is more about comfort and capability together, its a family vehicle. So 4runner price is meh, still acceptable. ( Although I prefer current gen, its literal American land cruiser )

A pick up truck, should be cheap and capable, it doesn't need big fat screen and stupid air seats, a BUTTON for a tailgate. How much do you think adding that cost? around 2K probably for all the wiring and stupid little motor in the tailgate. This is people's fault too mostly, remember 3rd gen ?

People were like : OH ITS SO SLOW! OH IT LOOKS OLD! OH SCREEN IS TOO SMALL! Oh no seats are uncomfortable in this cheap truck!

Oh well, here you go, go and spend over 50k and enjoy it. Make sure to count every inch of dimensions on paper while you are at it.

 

Baloney.

This new engine is far superior to the V6 that was in my 3rd gen. If I turn on the tow/haul mode while pulling my 1500-pound camper, the truck has too much oooomph.

 

Yes it does in sense of feeling but not in power. Come back here after 100K miles and I will be here with mine and see whos engine is eating oil under all that weight pull.

 

Me too. I also miss brochures that focused on mechanical specs instead of Bluetooth and other luxury features.

I just need AC, power windows and cruise control.

Give me rubber floors, 4wd shifter near the stick shift and handbrake.

 

You don't own one, but you know all this, eh?

 

Sage, I feel the same way talking to corvette owners. Happy trails and what a machine! Lay that mother down.