Nissan’s Frontier Pro

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The 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X comes in a crew-cab configuration with seating for up to five people.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X.

The redesigned 2022 Nissan Frontier is shown here in the Pro-4X off-road version with four-wheel drive.

Off-road driving enthusiasts – especially those who like riding the trails in midsize pickups – should be happy with the redesigned 2022 Nissan Frontier in the Pro-4X configuration which includes four-wheel drive.

Trail driving has always been a passion of mine, and this new Frontier is a perfect companion for mountain, desert or beach driving.

The Frontier moves into a new generation with a complete redesign for 2022, which should serve to keep this truck, in all its variations, a popular staple in the midsize pickup market.

Our test vehicle for this report was the 2022 Frontier Pro-4X Crew Cab 4WD model (base price $37,370 plus $1,225 freight).

Offered in either King Cab or Crew Cab body styles, with a choice of two bed lengths, the Nissan Frontier has standard rear-wheel drive, but the highly capable four-wheel-drive system is available on all models.

Besides our Pro-4X Crew Cab tester, other trim levels for 2022 include the base S model and the SV, offered in King or Crew Cab versions, and the new Pro-X Crew Cab with rear-wheel drive. The Pro-X and Pro-4X are available only in the Crew Cab style.

Crew Cab models have a standard short bed (five feet), but a six-foot bed is available on SV Crew Cab Long Wheelbase models. King Cab models are equipped with only the six-foot bed length.

Prices for 2022 begin at $28,140 (plus $1,225 freight) for the base Frontier S King Cab rear-drive model, which rises to $31,340 with four-wheel drive.

They range as high as the $37,340 for our Pro-4X 4WD Crew Cab with four-wheel-drive.

The Pro-4X Crew Cab has four full-size doors and room for up to five people -- two in the buckets up front and three on the rear bench. The rear seatback folds up to allow for hauling cargo inside the cab.

Under the hood of all versions is a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 310 horsepower and 281 foot-pounds of torque. It's connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The previous generation's manual transmission and four-cylinder engine are no longer available.

Nine exterior colors are offered: the new Boulder Gray Pearl, Tactical Green Metallic (premium), Baja Storm (premium) and Cardinal Red Metallic Tricolor (premium), along with the carried-over Deep Blue Pearl, Red Alert, Glacier White, Gun Metallic and Super Black.

Interior color choices are Charcoal, Sandstone and the Pro-4X's Charcoal with Lava Red.

Our tester had the Tactical Green Metallic paint ($395 extra) with Charcoal leather seats, which were part of the $2,790 Pro Premium Package. That package also brought 17-inch bead-lock-style aluminum-alloy wheels, Fender premium audio system with 10 speakers (including subwoofers), auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink garage/gate opener, premium door trim and center console stitching, and a power sliding-glass moon roof with tilt.

Standard Pro-4X features include 17-inch painted aluminum-alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, Bilstein Off Road shock absorbers, fender flares, LED headlights, Daytime Running Lights and fog lights, nine-inch color touch-screen display, Nissan Door-to-Door Navigation, NissanConnect Services powered by SirusXM, NissanConnect with Wi-Fi hotspot, unique interior accents.

For off-roading, the Pro-4X also includes an electronic locking rear differential and three steel underbody skid plates.

The exterior includes a beefy front end with a large grille and chiseled hood, with new precision interlocking headlights.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city/24 highway/20 combined on rear-drive models, and 17/ 22/19on four-wheel-drive models such as the Pro-4X.

Nissan also brought back the Frontier's hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear for 2022 to provide better on-center feel, helping to reduce driver fatigue on long trips, the automaker said.

There are new hydraulic cab mounts designed to reduce road vibration by 80 percent, and new urethane "jounce" bumpers to provide improved damping for a smoother ride over potholes and rough roads, and especially on off-road trails.

The shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system has 2WD/4HI/4LO modes operated by an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. That includes a standard four-wheel limited-slip system, which transfers power to the drive wheels with more grip on low-traction surfaces.

Hill Start Assist is standard on all models, and Hill Descent Control is standard on all four-wheel-drive models.

Frontier's towing capacity is rated up to 6,720 pounds (maximum, when properly equipped). New for 2022 is Trailer Sway Control. There also are now two front tow hooks.

The modern interior is more carlike than ever. There is a seven-inch Advanced Driver Assist Display directly in front of the driver. There are four liters of center-console storage, along with 5.7 liters of rear-door-pocket storage and 6.5 liters of front-door-pocket storage.

Eight beverage holders are provided, including four in the doors.

The standard Nissan Zero Gravity front seats are designed to help reduce long-range driving fatigue.

We took the Pro-4X on a variety of dirt and gravel roads in some state and national parks and forests, including some mountain trails where we made good use of the Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control features.

The four-wheel drive performed flawlessly on steep slopes and on some especially rocky terrain we encountered.

The V-6 engine provided plenty of power both on the highway and on the trail, and the automatic transmission shifted smoothly.

The Frontier's ride was surprisingly comfortable, considering this vehicle has an off-road suspension and tires.

Even without the leather upgrade, the cabin is well-appointed and comfortable, with front seats bolstered enough to keep us firmly in place (along with the seatbelts, of course) on the trail.

We had up to four people on board for part of our test week, and even our rear passengers enjoyed the trips and had no complaints about their accommodations. The middle position in the rear would be a tight fit for a full-size adult, however.

Our Frontier allowed us to tackle those rocky trails with no problems, thanks to the Pro-4X's skid plates protecting important underbody components, which are above the frame rails. The vehicle has 9.4 inches of ground clearance at the lowest point, the rear differential.

Although we didn't do any towing, the Pro-4X can handle trailers weighing up to 6,270 pounds

Other extras on our test vehicle included the Pro Convenience Package ($1,990), which added factory-applied spray-on bedliner; Utili-track Channel System with four adjustable tie-down cleats; bed-mounted 120-volt AC power outlet, with a second 120-volt outlet in the rear center console; heated outside mirrors, steering wheel and front seats; LED under-rail bed lighting; remote engine start with Intelligent Climate Control; Class IV tow-hitch receiver with seven-pin wiring harness; Intelligent Around View Monitor; and wireless smartphone charger.

We also had the Technology Package ($990), which brought Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, rear sonar, rear automatic braking, High-Beam Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Also included were a Sport Bar ($1,095), off-road-style step rails ($750), and a Bed Access Package ($540).

Total sticker price, including freight and options, was $47,145.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at [email protected].

2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Crew Cab pickup

The package: Midsize, four-door, V-6 powered, four-wheel-drive, five-passenger pickup truck.

Highlights: Nissan's midsize pickup has been completely redesigned for 2022. The Pro-4X configuration includes a Crew Cab, short cargo bed, and lots of accessories for off-road exploring.

Negatives: No four-cylinder engine offered for improved fuel economy.

Engine: 3.8-liter V-6.

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 310 HP./281 foot-pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Air bags: Front; front seat-mounted; side-curtain both rows.

Overall length: 210.2 inches (Crew Cab, short wheelbase).

Curb weight: 4,708 pounds.

Payload capacity: 1,230 pounds.

Towing capacity: 6,270 pounds.

Major competitors: Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger.

Fuel capacity/type: 21 gallons/unleaded regular.

EPA fuel economy: 17 city/22 highway/19 combined (4WD).

Base price: $37,370 plus $1,225 freight (Pro-4X).

Price as tested: $47,145, including freight and options (2022 Pro-4X).

On the Road rating: 9.2 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.