2012 Nissan Frontier vs 2012 Toyota Tacoma

2012 Nissan Frontier

2012 Toyota Tacoma

Select style

2WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SL

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SL	15	20	$28,380	$30,290
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SV	15	20	$24,506	$25,860
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic S	15	20	$23,079	$24,350
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic SL	15	20	$27,912	$29,790
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic SV	15	20	$24,109	$25,440
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab SWB Manual S	16	20	$22,086	$23,300
Frontier 2WD Crew Cab SWB Manual SV	16	20	$23,116	$24,390
Frontier 2WD King Cab I4 Automatic S	17	22	$19,258	$20,310
Frontier 2WD King Cab I4 Automatic SV	17	22	$22,369	$23,600
Frontier 2WD King Cab I4 Manual S	19	23	$18,264	$19,260
Frontier 2WD King Cab I4 Manual SV	19	23	$21,376	$22,550
Frontier 2WD King Cab V6 Automatic SV	15	20	$22,927	$24,190
Frontier 2WD King Cab V6 Manual SV	16	20	$21,934	$23,140
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SL	14	19	$30,560	$32,990
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SV	14	19	$26,761	$28,560
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic PRO-4X	14	19	$28,691	$30,970
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic S	14	19	$25,349	$27,050
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic SL	14	19	$30,051	$32,440
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Automatic SV	14	19	$26,369	$28,140
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Manual PRO-4X	15	20	$27,720	$29,920
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Manual S	15	20	$24,367	$26,000
Frontier 4WD Crew Cab SWB Manual SV	15	20	$25,387	$27,090
Frontier 4WD King Cab Automatic PRO-4X	14	19	$28,008	$30,230
Frontier 4WD King Cab Automatic SV	14	19	$25,200	$26,890
Frontier 4WD King Cab Manual PRO-4X	15	20	$26,898	$29,030
Frontier 4WD King Cab Manual SV	15	20	$24,218	$25,840

Select style

2WD Access Cab I4 AT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Tacoma 2WD Access Cab I4 AT	19	24	$19,513	$20,815
Tacoma 2WD Access Cab I4 AT PreRunner	19	24	$20,228	$21,575
Tacoma 2WD Access Cab I4 MT	21	25	$18,670	$19,915
Tacoma 2WD Access Cab V6 AT PreRunner	17	21	$21,571	$23,010
Tacoma 2WD Access Cab V6 MT X-Runner	16	21	$24,966	$26,630
Tacoma 2WD Double Cab I4 AT	19	24	$20,775	$22,425
Tacoma 2WD Double Cab I4 AT PreRunner	19	24	$21,378	$23,075
Tacoma 2WD Double Cab LB V6 AT PreRunner	17	21	$23,169	$25,010
Tacoma 2WD Double Cab V6 AT PreRunner	17	21	$22,706	$24,510
Tacoma 2WD Reg Cab I4 AT	19	24	$17,067	$18,025
Tacoma 2WD Reg Cab I4 MT	21	25	$16,215	$17,125
Tacoma 4WD Access Cab I4 AT	18	21	$23,110	$24,650
Tacoma 4WD Access Cab I4 MT	18	20	$22,266	$23,750
Tacoma 4WD Access Cab V6 AT	16	21	$24,549	$26,185
Tacoma 4WD Access Cab V6 MT	15	19	$23,723	$25,305
Tacoma 4WD Double Cab LB V6 AT	16	21	$26,019	$28,085
Tacoma 4WD Double Cab V6 AT	16	21	$25,555	$27,585
Tacoma 4WD Double Cab V6 MT	15	19	$24,739	$26,705
Tacoma 4WD Reg Cab I4 AT	18	21	$20,929	$22,105
Tacoma 4WD Reg Cab I4 MT	18	20	$19,860	$20,975

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$28,380

$19,513

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$30,290

$20,815

Monthly Payment Estimate

$505 / month

$347 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.6

Read Our Full Review

6.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

You may not need to go full-size--the 2012 Nissan Frontier pickup truck can cover a lot of the same ground a bigger pickup can.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma's affordable price, fuel-efficiency, and simplicity make it a good, capable alternative for those who don't need a full-size truck.

TCC Likes

Trucky styling
V-6 is strong
Hauls and tows confidently with V-6

Affordability
Fuel-efficient four
Simple, straightforward controls

TCC Dislikes

Ride can feel busy
Grainy, plasticky interior
Bed is six feet long, at best

Choppy, jittery ride
Uncomfortable seats
Not very maneuverable

Fuel Economy

City

15 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

20 mpg

24 mpg

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

55.6

53.5

Second Leg Room (in)

33.6

24.7

Front Head Room (in)

40.0

Second Hip Room (in)

58.0

53.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.3

57.7

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

38.7

34.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.3

55.7

Front Leg Room (in)

42.4

41.7

Exterior Dimensions

Overhang, Rear w/o bumper (in)

48.2

- TBD -

Wheelbase (in)

139.9

127.4

Ground Clearance, Front (in)

9.8

- TBD -

Cab to Axle (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.8

72.2

Ground to Top of Load Floor (in)

- TBD -

Overhang, Front (in)

31.3

- TBD -

Frame Width, Rear (in)

- TBD -

Front Bumper to Back of Cab (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall w/o rear bumper (in)

219.4

208.1

Ground Clearance, Rear (in)

9.8

- TBD -

Cab to End of Frame (in)

- TBD -

Height, Overall (in)

73.9

66.1

Ground to Top of Frame (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

44.4

41.5

Tailgate Width (in)

58.8

- TBD -

Cargo Box Length @ Floor (in)

73.3

73.5

Ext'd Cab Cargo Volume (ft³)

38.8

- TBD -

Cargo Box Width @ Floor (in)

61.4

56.7

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

18.0

Cargo Volume (ft³)

33.5

- TBD -

Cargo Box Width @ Top, Rear (in)

61.4

- TBD -

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.3 x 0.7

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

10.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7 x 1.1

10.8 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Pwr-Assisted

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System (Second Line)

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Location

Midship

Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Aux Fuel Tank Location

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

21.1

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), On Center

20.4

17.4

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

47.8

42.3

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Steering Ratio (:1), At Lock

3.6

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Capacity (lbs)

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Front

- TBD -

Rear Tire Size

P265/60R18

P215/70R15

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Spare

- TBD -

Front Tire Capacity (lbs)

- TBD -

Rear Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Capacity (lbs)

- TBD -

Front Tire Size

P265/60R18

P215/70R15

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Rear

- TBD -

Spare Tire Size

P265/60R18

Full-size

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

6300

3500

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

630

350

Weight Information

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap (lbs)

5730

4900

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front (lbs)

3296

2380

Curb Weight - Front (lbs)

2415

2109

Gross Combined Wt Rating (lbs)

11113

7500

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear (lbs)

3324

2685

Curb Weight - Rear (lbs)

2058

1726

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 7.5

15 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

18 x 7.5

15 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 7.5

15 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

10.8

9.1

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Watts

- TBD -

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (2nd)

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

130

- TBD -

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

550

- TBD -

Engine

Engine Type

Gas V6

Gas I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Engine Oil Cooler

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

281 @ 4000

180 @ 3800

Engine Order Code

Displacement

4.0L/241

2.7L/164

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

261 @ 5600

159 @ 5200

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.76

2.39

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.35

1.53

Trans Order Code

Transfer Case Power Take Off

- TBD -

Trans Power Take Off

- TBD -

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.71

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Transfer Case Model

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.84

2.80

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

1.00

Trans Type

Trans PTO Access

- TBD -

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.83

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

Nissan Frontier

Toyota Tacoma

Body Code

139.9 WB

127" WB

Body Style

Crew Cab

Access Cab

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Axle Capacity - Front (lbs)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Leaf

Leaf-Spring

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Axle Ratio (:1) - Front

- TBD -

Spring Capacity - Rear (lbs)

- TBD -

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Axle Type - Rear

C200

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Double-Wishbone

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

1.34

1.2

Axle Capacity - Rear (lbs)

- TBD -

Spring Capacity - Front (lbs)

- TBD -

Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear

3.13

- TBD -

Axle Type - Front

- TBD -

Frame

Frame Type

Ladder

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

10.7

8.9

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

4 (2011)

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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