Since going on sale for the 2022 model year, the Nissan Frontier has been a paragon of simple truck design with its robust naturally aspirated V6 motor and an interior that’s not heavily reliant on technology. Now, the third-generation Frontier is getting a little refresh for the 2025 model year that updates the exterior, enhances the technology on offer, adds more towing capability and expands bed sizes throughout the lineup. Oh, and there’s a really sick new paint color called Afterburn Orange.
On the outside it may not look like too much has changed at first glance, but there are a ton of small changes that make the design of the Frontier a bit more handsome. Up front you get a slightly updated front facia that gives the truck a different grille and some tweaks to the bumper. The 2025 Frontier also comes with new 17-inch Pro-X and Pro-4X wheels that are actually a very nice design. (They’re still not as great as the Frontier Hardbody’s three spokes, but it’s OK). The other big news here is that the Frontier’s long-wheelbase configuration with a 6-foot bed will now be available across the entire lineup, and the truck’s max towing capacity has risen to 7,150 pounds (a 500-pound bump). Not too shabby.
Inside the 2025 Frontier gets a bunch of upgrades, and a bunch of them are because Nissan actually listened to customers! The biggest news here is probably the 12.3-inch infotainment screen that now comes standard on the SV and above trim levels, replacing the tiny 8- and 9-inch screens on the old truck. The system also adds wireless Android Auto to the mix to go along with wireless Apple CarPlay, which is always nice.
Other new additions will be a telescoping steering wheel on all models, four-way power seats on PRO-X, PRO-4X and SL grades and on SV grades and higher there will be a six-way driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support. Additionally, all Frontiers now come with a standard sliding rear window and a sunglas holder in the overhead console. SL models also now get a wireless phone charger, a 360 camera and a four-way passenger seat as standard.
The updated Frontier will carry over the old truck’s sturdy naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 and 9-speed automatic transmission. The powerplant pumps out 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, so it won’t win any races, but it’s more than enough for this application.
Pro-X and Pro-4X buyers will be able to tackle all the rough terrain they want with all-terrain tires and Bilstein off-road suspension parts. The truck better looks the part too with more pronounced over-fenders and Lava Red tow hooks. Pro-4Xs will also come standard with a 360 camera and an off-road viewing function to help with rough terrain. If comfort is more your thing, the Frontier SL will feature leather seating, a heated leather steering wheel, LED exterior lights and a 10-speaker Fender audio system.
Safety has also been beefed up for the 2025 Frontier. Lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, high beam assist and adaptive cruise control are now standard on every trim level. The SL grade will also get traffic sign recognition.
On the face of it, the facelifted Frontier doesn’t seem that much different from the one it replaces, but lots of little tweaks seem to make this truck look even more compelling than it was before in an ever-more-crowded mid-size pickup truck market. You can expect the refreshed 2025 Frontier to hit showrooms later this summer, and Nissan says pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
