The Nissan Frontier Hardbody offers a vintage look that appeals to nostalgia seekers.
Its hood houses a 3.8L V6 engine.
The 2024 Frontier Hardbody has an entry price of $52,774.
In September 2023, Nissan pleased the most nostalgic among us by unveiling a retro version of the Frontier Hardbody. It pays homage to Nissan’s 1980s pickup truck. A few months later, we were delighted to learn that this version would be marketed in Canada.
2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody | Photo: Germain GoyerA retro look we like
Visually, the 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody stands out from other versions of the midsize pickup. Yet these are just accessories. It’s all very simple, and it’s a success. The Hardbody version can be identified by its 17-inch, three-spoke alloy wheels and body-mounted bar. The bumpers, mirrors, door handles and grille are also painted black. Black decals have also been applied to the doors, hood and tailgate. All this adds to the truck’s retro look.
A V6 engine that gets the job done
While the idea of a V6 engine under the hood of a midsize truck was once commonplace, it’s becoming increasingly rare. Chevrolet, GMC and Toyota are content to offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with their Colorado, Canyon and Tacoma. For its part, Ford is correcting the situation by adding a V6 engine in 2024 after having exclusively offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in recent years. At Nissan, the little train goes a long way. The tried-and-tested formula continues. Under the hood of the Frontier sports a naturally-aspirated 3.8L V6 engine. It develops 310 horsepower This is married to a nine-speed automatic transmission. There’s no reason to doubt the reliability of this tried-and-tested powertrain. Although aging, this V6 engine delivers smooth performance.
2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody | Photo: Germain GoyerWhat about towing?
During our road test of the Nissan Frontier Hardbody, we tested its towing capabilities. According to the manufacturer, this model can tow a load of up to 6220 lbs. For our part, we pulled a double-axle utility trailer and estimated the total weight to be less than 4,000 lbs. Clearly, the Frontier performed very well on this section of the trip. By activating the Towing driving mode, the transmission’s behaviour is adjusted. It stretched the gears more and facilitated braking by optimizing downshifting. The 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody proved rather thirsty during this towing session. In fact, the onboard computer recorded an average fuel consumption of 15.6 L/100 km. When we used the Frontier without the trailer, our rating was 12.6 L/100 km. For its part, Natural Resources Canada announces a consumption figure of 11.1 L/100 km, which seems to us to be very optimistic.
Incidentally, we were somewhat put off by the Frontier’s turning circle. It was equipped with a six-foot box, which is practical as it makes it easier to transport long objects. However, the wheelbase is longer than that of a model with a five-foot bed, which considerably increases the vehicle’s turning circle and maneuverability in urban driving.
2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody | Photo: Germain GoyerMidsize trucks out of reach
Gone are the days when the average worker could afford a new pickup truck. Midsize trucks are now very expensive. The Frontier has a base price of just under $50,000. The Hardbody version is priced at $52,774. Despite all this, the Frontier is relatively well positioned in the segment. Only the Chevrolet Colorado is available on a more limited budget, as the American brand produces a rear-wheel-drive WT version, devoid of equipment and fitted with a deflated version of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A sad reality: While there’s still time, getting your hands on a new Ram 1500 Classic for around $50,000 is possible if you don’t mind a full-size pickup.
In brief
With minimal effort, Nissan demonstrated great creativity with its 2024 Frontier Hardbody. All it takes is a little imagination and a few accessories to transport us back to the 1980s. The Frontier is definitely not the most modern vehicle in its segment, and the signs of aging are starting to show. Despite this, we appreciate its proven conservative formula. We have no hesitation in recommending a Nissan Frontier to consumers looking for a practical, reliable and durable midsize pickup.
