What the 2025 Refresh Changed

The 2025 model year brought a mid-cycle update to the third-generation Frontier rather than a redesign. The changes addressed points that owners and reviewers had raised since the truck's 2022 launch:

  • Front styling: a reshaped grille and bumper, plus new wheel designs and paint choices.
  • Bigger screen: a larger touchscreen became available on upper trims, with wireless smartphone mirroring on equipped models.
  • Telescoping steering wheel: the column now adjusts for reach as well as tilt, which makes it easier for drivers of different heights to find a comfortable position.
  • Driver assistance: adaptive cruise control and related aids were extended to more trims.
  • Long bed: the six-foot bed was offered on more Crew Cab configurations, including off-road versions.

The frame, engine and transmission carried over, so a 2025 truck drives much like the earlier third-generation model.

One Powertrain: The 3.8-Liter V6 and Nine-Speed Automatic

Every 2025 Frontier uses the same powertrain: a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive. Output is roughly 310 horsepower, which is strong for a standard engine in this class. There is no four-cylinder, hybrid or manual option, so choosing a trim does not change how the truck accelerates. The appeal of a non-turbo V6 is mostly about simplicity. There is no turbocharger, intercooler or associated plumbing to maintain, throttle response is linear, and the engine is designed for regular fuel. Buyers who plan to keep a truck for many years often value that. The trade-off is that turbocharged rivals tend to produce more low-rpm torque and can post better fuel economy ratings, so it is worth comparing official figures for the exact configuration.

Trims, Cabs and Bed Lengths

The lineup runs through five grades:

  • S: the work-oriented base truck with the essentials and the standard safety suite.
  • SV: adds alloy wheels, more convenience features and access to most option packages; it is the volume trim.
  • PRO-X: rear-wheel drive with the off-road look, Bilstein dampers and all-terrain tires, aimed at street use.
  • PRO-4X: the four-wheel-drive off-road model with a locking rear differential and underbody protection.
  • SL: the comfort-focused grade with leather-appointed seating and upgraded audio.

Two body styles are offered. The King Cab has small rear-hinged back doors, occasional rear seats and a six-foot bed. The Crew Cab has four full doors and a proper rear bench, with either a five-foot bed or, on selected trims, the six-foot bed on a longer wheelbase.

PRO-4X Off-Road Hardware, Towing and Payload

The PRO-4X is the version built for unpaved use. Its key hardware includes an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein off-road dampers, skid plates protecting the underbody, and all-terrain tires. A two-speed transfer case with low range and hill descent control are also part of the package. It is a part-time system, so four-wheel drive is intended for loose or slippery surfaces rather than dry pavement. For work, the Frontier's maximum tow rating sits in the competitive range for midsize pickups, but the figure depends on cab, bed, drivetrain and whether the tow package is fitted. Payload varies in the same way. Useful bed features include the available Utili-track adjustable tie-down rails, a damped tailgate, bed lighting and an available household-style power outlet. The door-jamb label and owner's manual list the ratings for a specific truck.

Cabin Comfort, Technology and Safety

Inside, the Frontier favors physical knobs and buttons for climate and audio, which many truck owners prefer when wearing gloves. The front Zero Gravity seats, a Nissan design shaped to reduce pressure points, are a frequent point of praise on long drives. Storage is generous for the class, with a large center console bin, door pockets sized for bottles, and under-seat storage in the rear of Crew Cab models. Infotainment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the larger screen and a premium audio system on higher trims. On safety, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert are part of the standard suite, while adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera are available. Rear-seat legroom in the Crew Cab is adequate rather than generous.

How It Compares With Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger and Ridgeline

  • Toyota Tacoma: redesigned recently with turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid powertrains, a wide trim range and a strong resale reputation; a manual gearbox remains on some versions.
  • Chevrolet Colorado: uses a turbocharged four-cylinder across the range, comes only as a crew cab with a short bed, and has a large standard screen.
  • Ford Ranger: turbocharged engines including an available V6 and a high-performance Raptor model, crew cab only.
  • Honda Ridgeline: a unibody truck with a V6, all-wheel drive, a car-like ride and an in-bed trunk, but less suited to demanding off-road use.

Against these, the Frontier stands out for its standard V6, straightforward controls and the continued availability of an extended cab with a longer bed. It gives up some fuel efficiency and the newest cabin technology.

Conclusion: Comparing a New and a Lightly Used Frontier

The 2025 refresh made the Frontier easier to live with without altering its basic character: a conventional body-on-frame midsize pickup with one proven V6. When comparing a new truck with a lightly used one, a few details matter more than model year alone:

  • Cab and bed: confirm whether it is a King Cab or Crew Cab and which bed length is fitted, since this affects parking, rear-seat space and cargo use.
  • 4x4 system: check whether the truck is rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and whether it has the locking differential.
  • Tow package: look for the factory hitch receiver and wiring if towing is planned.
  • Service history: ask for maintenance records and check for open recalls.

Pre-2025 trucks lack the telescoping wheel and larger screen, which may or may not matter to a given driver.