2027 Nissan Frontier Review: A Proven V6 Truck Gets a New Off-Road Package
The Nissan Frontier has carved out a reliable niche in the midsize truck segment by sticking with a formula that works: a strong naturally aspirated V6, straightforward controls, and pricing that undercuts most of its rivals. For 2027, Nissan carries that formula forward largely unchanged ahead of a full redesign expected for 2028, but adds a new Sport Edition package that brings some off-road styling down to a more affordable trim. Here’s what buyers need to know.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Exterior Design
- Interior and Cabin Quality
- Seating Comfort and Cargo Space
- Engine, Horsepower, and Torque
- Performance and Towing
- Fuel Economy
- Technology and Infotainment
- Safety and Driver Assistance
- Trim Levels and Pricing
- Competitors
- Pros and Cons
- Final Verdict
Overview
The 2027 Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup truck now in its sixth model year on the current generation, following a mid-cycle update for 2025. It’s offered in King Cab and Crew Cab configurations across S, SV, PRO-X, and PRO-4X grades, with both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains available depending on trim. Nissan builds the Frontier at its Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi, with the standard V6 engine assembled at the Decherd Powertrain Assembly Plant in Tennessee.
Exterior Design
The Frontier leans into classic truck styling, with a bold nose, prominent grille, sharp LED headlights, and a high hood meant to project toughness. Box-flared fenders and a slight kick in the lower glasshouse keep the profile interesting, while S trims ride on 16-inch steel wheels and the rest step up to 17-inch alloys. New for 2027, the Sport Edition package brings PRO-4X-inspired styling to the SV trim, including black 17-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, an aluminum skid plate, LED fog lights, front accent lighting, and Sport badging, giving budget-conscious buyers a rugged look without stepping up to the full PRO-X or PRO-4X trims.
Interior and Cabin Quality
Nissan takes a deliberately functional approach inside the Frontier, with a chunky dashboard, vertically oriented air vents, and large, clearly labeled buttons and knobs that remain easy to use even while wearing gloves. It’s an interior built for people who actually use their trucks rather than one chasing a premium look. The Sport Edition package adds black upholstery with yellow accents and yellow contrast stitching for a bit of visual flair, and a new Alpine Metallic exterior paint option joins the existing color lineup for 2027.
Seating Comfort and Cargo Space
The Frontier’s front seats stand out as a genuine strength, offering excellent support and comfort even on longer drives. The rear seats in Crew Cab models are usable but noticeably tighter than some rivals in the segment, a tradeoff of the Frontier’s more compact footprint. Buyers can choose between a roughly 5-foot bed or the longer 6-foot-1-inch bed, which comes standard on the King Cab, and an optional Utili-track channel system adds flexibility for securing different types of cargo.
Engine, Horsepower, and Torque
Every 2027 Frontier uses the same powertrain, a departure from a segment that has increasingly moved toward turbocharged four-cylinders and hybrid options:
- 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6: 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, running on regular 87-octane fuel, paired exclusively with a 9-speed automatic transmission
Unlike rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma, the Frontier does not offer a hybrid powertrain or a turbocharged four-cylinder option, sticking instead with a single, well-proven V6.
Performance and Towing
The V6 delivers strong, dependable performance that feels like a known quantity at this point in the truck’s life cycle, with enough low-end torque to make everyday driving and highway merging easy. Towing and payload figures vary meaningfully by configuration: the S King Cab 4×2 leads the lineup at up to 7,150 pounds of towing capacity, while the 4×4 version of the same truck is rated at 7,000 pounds, and even the off-road-focused PRO-4X can tow up to 6,270 pounds. Maximum payload ranges from 1,100 pounds on the PRO-4X up to 1,590 pounds on the S 4×2. The PRO-4X trim adds standard front and rear Bilstein shocks, separate skid plates for the front, transfer case, and fuel tank, an electronic locking rear differential, hill descent control, and a low-range transfer case for serious off-road use.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is about average for a naturally aspirated V6 in this class. Rear-wheel-drive trims are EPA-rated at 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while 4WD models drop to 17/21/19 mpg, and the PRO-4X comes in at 16/20/18 mpg due to its more aggressive off-road tires and added weight.
Technology and Infotainment
The base S trim comes with an 8-inch center touchscreen, while SV and higher trims step up to a larger 12.3-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is included, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot through NissanConnect and standard SiriusXM with a subscription. Audio ranges from a six-speaker system on SV and PRO grades up to a 10-speaker upgrade available on PRO trims, and for 2027 the wireless phone charger included in the PRO Convenience package has been upgraded to the faster Qi2 standard.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Every 2027 Frontier comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, high-beam assist, and intelligent cruise control. The outgoing 2026 model earned a four-star overall NHTSA safety rating, including a notable three-star front-crash result, and IIHS ratings for the 2027 model had not been published at the time of writing. Nissan backs the Frontier with a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Trim Levels and Pricing
Nissan has officially announced 2027 Frontier pricing, which starts as follows, including the $1,745 destination and handling charge:
| Trim | Approximate Starting Price | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| S King Cab 4×2 | $34,235 | 310-hp V6, RWD, 6-ft bed |
| S King Cab 4×4 | ~$37,235 | 310-hp V6, 4WD, 6-ft bed |
| SV Crew Cab | ~$38,235 | 310-hp V6, RWD, 5-ft bed |
| SV Sport Edition | ~$39,225 | Adds off-road styling package to SV |
| PRO-X Crew Cab | ~$40,745 (est.) | 310-hp V6, RWD, off-road-tuned |
| PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4 | Up to $44,435 | 310-hp V6, 4WD, full off-road equipment |
Prices are set directly by Nissan and can vary slightly by dealer, region, and available packages, so treat mid-range trim figures as close estimates until confirmed at your local dealership.
Competitors
The Frontier competes in a crowded midsize truck field that includes the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, and Jeep Gladiator. Against the Tacoma specifically, the Frontier holds a clear pricing advantage while also offering more horsepower from its standard engine, though the Tacoma counters with a hybrid option and a more modern interior. The Frontier and Tacoma remain the only two trucks in the segment still offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab body styles.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong, proven 310-hp V6 standard across every trim
- Competitive pricing compared to most midsize truck rivals
- Genuinely capable PRO-4X off-road trim
- New Sport Edition package adds rugged styling at a lower cost
Cons
- No hybrid or turbocharged engine option, unlike some competitors
- Interior design is starting to show its age
- Crew Cab rear seat is tighter than some rivals
- Fuel economy is merely average for the segment
Final Verdict
The 2027 Nissan Frontier doesn’t try to reinvent itself ahead of its expected 2028 redesign, and that’s largely fine, since the current formula of a strong V6, solid build quality, and competitive pricing still holds up well in this class. The new Sport Edition package is a smart, low-cost addition that broadens the truck’s appeal to buyers who want rugged styling without stepping all the way up to the PRO-X or PRO-4X. For budget-conscious truck shoppers who value capability and value over the latest tech, the Frontier remains an easy truck to recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the starting price of the 2027 Nissan Frontier? The 2027 Nissan Frontier starts at $34,235 including destination and handling for the base S King Cab 4×2 trim. Pricing climbs to as much as $44,435 for a fully equipped PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4.
2. How much horsepower does the 2027 Nissan Frontier have? Every 2027 Frontier uses the same 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
3. What is the towing capacity of the 2027 Nissan Frontier? Towing capacity varies by configuration. The S King Cab 4×2 leads the lineup at up to 7,150 pounds, while the off-road-focused PRO-4X is rated to tow up to 6,270 pounds.
4. What is new on the 2027 Nissan Frontier? The biggest addition for 2027 is the new Sport Edition package, based on the SV trim, which brings off-road-inspired styling, all-terrain tires, and an aluminum skid plate at a lower cost than the PRO-X or PRO-4X. Nissan also added a new Alpine Metallic paint option and upgraded the PRO Convenience package’s wireless charger to the Qi2 standard.
5. Is the 2027 Nissan Frontier available as a hybrid? No. Unlike some rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma, the Frontier is only available with its standard 3.8-liter V6 engine, with no hybrid or turbocharged four-cylinder option offered.
