Midsize pickup trucks offer a compelling blend of capability, maneuverability, and affordability, making them a popular choice for many. While they can’t match the sheer grunt of full-size trucks, they provide a practical alternative for those who don’t need extreme towing or hauling capacity. Among the leading contenders in this segment are the 2025 Toyota Tacoma and the 2025 Nissan Frontier. But which one comes out on top? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to find out.
Pricing and Features
Both the Frontier and Tacoma start with competitive base prices. The entry-level Frontier S comes in at approximately $33,000, while the base Tacoma SR also costs around $33,000. However, beyond these base models, the two trucks begin to diverge in their offerings.
Nissan Frontier offers a more streamlined lineup, available in S, SV, SL, and Pro-X/Pro-4X trims. The base Frontier S includes basic necessities such as cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and 16-inch steel wheels.
The SV trim, priced around $40,000 with the crew cab and four-wheel drive, significantly upgrades the experience, adding a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, power-adjustable mirrors, and alloy wheels. The Pro-4X trim, a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts, comes in just over $43,000 and includes features like Bilstein shock absorbers and skid plates. At the top, the SL model offers premium features such as leather upholstery, heated seats, a Fender audio system, and a surround-view camera system, with a price tag exceeding $46,000.
Toyota Tacoma offers a much wider range of models, including SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro. The base SR model mirrors the Frontier’s starting price and comes with cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and 17-inch steel wheels.
The Tacoma offers more options and features across its lineup. The SR5 4×4 crew cab with the long bed, around $42,000, is a strong value, adding LED fog lights, alloy wheels, and blind-spot monitors. For those seeking a hybrid powertrain, the TRD Sport i-Force Max, at about $48,000, is an appealing choice, offering a digital gauge cluster and 18-inch wheels. The range extends much higher, however, with the TRD Pro reaching around $65,000, including a 14.0-inch touchscreen and premium off-road hardware
Toyota also includes 2 years/24,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, which is a significant advantage.
Performance and Powertrain
The Tacoma offers a wider variety of powertrain options than the Frontier. The base engine in many Tacoma models is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing between 228 and 278 horsepower. A hybrid version of this engine is also available, boosting output to 326 hp and a substantial 465 lb-ft of torque.
In contrast, the Frontier relies solely on a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that delivers 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Frontier’s V6 provides ample power and smooth shifts for any driver.
In terms of towing, the Frontier edges out the Tacoma. For 2025, the Frontier is rated to tow up to 7,150 pounds, as compared to the Tacoma which can tow 6,500 pounds. The Tacoma, however, offers a higher payload capacity, with a maximum of 1,710 pounds versus the Frontier’s 1,620 pounds.
Suspension setups differ as well. The base Tacoma uses a leaf-spring rear suspension, resulting in a more basic ride. However, Toyota uses a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs on its crew cab models for improved ride comfort. The Frontier relies on a leaf-spring rear suspension. Both trucks offer off-road suspension packages, but the Tacoma’s range is much more diverse.
Off-Road and 4×4 Systems
The Tacoma truly shines when it comes to off-road capability. The truck offers a broader selection of off-road-focused models, including the TRD Off-Road, with an available disconnecting front sway bar, and the rugged TRD Pro, with stronger skid plates and Fox shocks; also available is the Trailhunter, which is designed for rock crawling. The hybrid Limited model even includes a full-time 4×4 system, catering to a wider spectrum of off-road needs.
The Frontier, while capable, offers fewer off-road trims, with the Pro-X and Pro-4X models being the primary off-road choices. Both trucks offer part-time four-wheel-drive systems and electronic locking rear differentials on their most capable trims, making them ready for the trails.
Size, Space, and Styling
The extended cab Frontier provides decent space for passengers, along with either a 5- or 6-foot bed, while the Tacoma’s extended cab, the Xtracab, substitutes backseats for storage; both offer a four-door crew cab configuration. The Tacoma’s bed space is slightly larger than the Frontier’s in both available lengths.
Inside, the Frontier has a more functional interior design, with a modern center screen. Conversely the Tacoma features a more chunky interior design.
Safety
Both trucks offer a solid array of standard safety features. The Frontier includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and lane departure warnings. The Tacoma also comes with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Neither truck has received a full set of crash-test scores yet.
The Verdict
While both the 2025 Nissan Frontier and the 2025 Toyota Tacoma present compelling arguments for your consideration, the Toyota Tacoma emerges as the victor in this comparison. It offers a more diverse lineup, advanced powertrain options, a slightly larger interior, and a wider range of off-road features. The Frontier is appealing for its price point for some drivers and provides strong towing capabilities. Ultimately, the Tacoma delivers a more modern and versatile package, making it the preferred choice for midsize truck shoppers.
